The .eu domain name is often cited as a unique hybrid in the domain name system, straddling the line between a country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) and a generic top-level domain (gTLD) in both policy and function. Introduced not as a national ccTLD linked to a single country, but rather as a regional extension representing the…

The domain name industry is undergoing a period of deep reimagination, spurred by the convergence of decentralized technologies, shifts in digital ownership norms, and a broader cultural reassessment of what permanence means in the internet age. Against this backdrop, a new model has emerged that redefines how domain names are registered, retained, and valued: the…

The 2027 draft of the Registry Code of Conduct (CoC), released in anticipation of the next round of new gTLD applications, represents one of the most significant updates to ICANN’s contractual framework since the 2012 new gTLD program. Designed to address new realities in DNS governance, vertical integration, data protection, and registry accountability, the revised…

As the global domain name space matures and prime digital real estate becomes increasingly scarce, a new monetization model is gaining traction among registry operators, portfolio holders, and domain investors: micro-leasing of premium domain names. In the context of future new gTLDs, this model promises to reshape how high-value domains are priced, accessed, and utilized—especially…

As ICANN moves toward opening its next round of new gTLD applications, a subtle but consequential technical constraint is once again drawing attention: the limitation that top-level domain strings must not exceed 63 characters, with a practical usability preference of 8 to 12 characters for readability, branding, and user adoption. While the theoretical limit is…

The evolution of domain name registration data systems, particularly WHOIS, has become a focal point in the broader debate about privacy, transparency, and trust in the DNS ecosystem. Historically, WHOIS has served as a publicly accessible database of registrant information, offering insight into the ownership and administrative details behind domain names. However, the GDPR-era crackdown…

One of the most challenging and consequential metrics for any new gTLD operator is the domain renewal rate. While initial registration numbers often dominate launch headlines and early revenue forecasts, it is the year-one and year-two renewal behavior that ultimately determines the long-term viability of a top-level domain. Predicting these renewal rates with accuracy has…

As the domain name system prepares for another round of expansion through ICANN’s new gTLD program, applicants seeking to operate TLDs associated with financial services—such as .bank, .pay, .loan, .crypto, or .fintech—must increasingly consider the role of regulatory compliance in their operational planning. In particular, compliance with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau…

As the next round of new gTLDs approaches, one of the more complex strategic considerations for applicants is whether to operate both as a registry and a registrar. This registry-registrar hybrid model—often referred to in industry shorthand as vertical integration—offers potential advantages in terms of market control, branding, data insights, and user experience. However, it…

As ICANN prepares to launch the next round of new gTLDs, potentially opening the door to hundreds or even thousands of additional strings, one of the most consequential and complex ripple effects will be the increase in demand for registry service providers. These providers, who manage the technical backend operations of a TLD—including DNS resolution,…