[jhugo]

A $20 preconfigured hosting node could easily include a domain name. Tying identity to a domain name uses the existing, actually decentralised, widely adopted since ~40 years, infrastructure of the DNS. Instead of throwing existing technology out and trying to build everything from scratch (which we should see clearly for what it really is: an attempt to retain more control), Internet standards like XMPP build upon what came before.

[IYasha]

Domain name isn't your property and can be taken away on a whim. It is BAD for ID. It's NOT in your possession, you only rent it. If your domain gets taken away, unpaid, hacked, banned - you're done. Eventually I even stopped using DNS and feeding domain registrators. At least because I hate paying for things that should be mine.

[sam_lowry_]

There are many cloud instances below 5$/ month and domain names in that price range/year.