DomainIncite

Unstoppable Domains is enabling Twitter users to claim free “domains” in its alt-root blockchain-based TLD .nft. The site offers users a domain that matches their Twitter handle. You only need to authorize its app to log in using Twitter credentials, much like other Twitter-connected apps. Actually using the name seems …

The founder of a recently launched name-spinner web site says the AI-based tool has already been used a million times in a month, and I can see why. The site, SmartyNames.com, is reportedly based on the same GPT-3 natural language processing software as the incredibly popular ChatGPT chatbot. Users simply …

It seems ICANN can multi-task, after all. Its board of directors has yet to formally approve the next application round, but staff have started looking for a company to build the application system, regardless. Org has published an RFI (pdf) for potential developers of a “gTLD Application Lifecycle System” that …

Fiat Chrysler is to kill off five of its six dot-brand gTLDs, which it has never used. The company has told ICANN it no longer wishes to operate .abarth, .alfaromeo, .fiat, .maserati, and .lancia, four of its car brands. Weirdly, .ferrari, which has also never been used, is not subject …

CentralNic grew faster than analysts’ expectations last year, the company said today. The company expects to report EBITDA of “at least” $177 million, up 33%, on revenue up 77% at about $728 million, for 2022. Factoring out acquisitions and currency fluctuations, organic growth is expected to be around 60%. The …

Google Registry has landed itself possibly the highest-profile anchor tenant of the new gTLD program to date — the United Nations. Various UN organizations have picked up about 20 premium .day domains and launched redirects to promote the corresponding UN-recognized issue-awareness days that occur throughout the year. For example UNAIDS …

With the role of ICANN CEO opening up for applicants following the resignation of Göran Marby in December, the CEO of VPN.com appears to have thrown his hat in the ring. In an unusual and ambiguous press release, “VPN.com CEO Reviews ICANN CEO Opening”, Michael Gargiulo strongly suggests he’s thinking …

ICANN has deferred action on its recent Independent Review Process defeat over price caps on .org and .info, instead referring the decision to one of its committees. The IRP panel ruled in late December that ICANN broke its own bylaws when it approved the removal of price caps from the …

ICANN is considerably loosening up its Covid-19 restrictions for its next meeting, due to take place in Cancun, Mexico, in March. The Org said last night that face masks will no longer be compulsory inside the venue, though they will still be provided for free and are “strongly recommended”. Testing …

The owners of sex.com, which for many years was the highest-price domain sale ever recorded, have put the site on sale. The unidentified sellers say they will accept minimum bids of $20 million, with at least $10 million up front, in an auction that began yesterday and will run until …

The GNSO Council is expected to tell ICANN’s board of directors that it needs to stop lollygagging and set the wheels in motion for the next round of new gTLDs. The Council plans to send a letter to the board ahead of its retreat this weekend, urging it to approve …

ICANN’s new interim CEO Sally Costerton addressed the community in her new role for what I believe was the first time last Thursday, in a call with the GNSO Council. The hour-long call was meant to discuss the outcomes of the Council’s Strategic Planning Session a month ago, but it …

Cloudflare is to take over registry services for the US government’s .gov domain, ending Verisign’s 12-year run. It seems .gov manager CISA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, opened the contract up for bidding last August and awarded the contract to Cloudflare in mid-December. The deal is worth $7.2 million, …

ICANN may have failed so far to deliver a way for the world to create any more gTLDs, but it’s about to pick a string that it will resolve to never, ever delegate. It’s going to designate an official “private use” string, designed for organizations to use behind their own …

It’s over a decade since ICANN’s last new gTLD application round, and naturally enough many companies in the industry are celebrating their 10th anniversaries too. Radix has been putting a lot of effort into promoting its own birthday, so a couple months ago I had a long chat with CEO …

The domain sex.com was for many years the most-expensive ever sold, but the outlook might not be so bright for sex.xyz, which may be a bit of a poisoned chalice. sex.xyz sold at Sedo for $2,150, according to a record that popped up in my feed today. Namebio lists the …