> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://leather.gitbook.io/guides/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://leather.gitbook.io/guides/bitcoin-name-system-bns/what-is-bns.md). # What is BNS? What is the Bitcoin Name System? Bitcoin Name System (BNS) is a network system that binds Stacks usernames to off-chain state without relying on any central points of control. \ BNS-names form a human readably and secure alternative for hard to remember public keys (such as public Stacks addresses and/or Bitcoin addresses). Read more: