Domains updates
Registrars, domain prices and the rules behind them. Price changes, launches, policy changes and shutdowns, each dated and taken from the company's own pages. Prices in an update are as of its date; the comparison pages always show today's.
October 2026
IANA switches the DNS root to its new KSK-2024 signing key
Since October 11, 2026, the DNS root zone is signed with KSK-2024 (key tag 38696). Domain owners need not act; DNSSEC-validating resolvers must trust the new key.
ICANN publishes 1,615 applications for new domain endings
On October 7, 2026, ICANN revealed the strings applied for in its 2026 new gTLD round. .agent drew 13 applicants. None of the new endings can be registered yet.
Dish opens .phone to trademark holders; open to all from January 19, 2027
The .phone sunrise for trademark holders started October 6, 2026; anyone can register from January 19, 2027. Dish's other new ending, .dot, opens to all on December 2, 2026.
Spaceship raises prices on 226 Identity Digital domain endings
Since October 6, 2026, Spaceship charges more to register, renew or transfer .live, .life, .studio and 223 other Identity Digital endings. .studio went from $32.09 to $41.40 a year.
August 2026
Verisign raises the .net wholesale price to $12.00 from March 1, 2027
Verisign told ICANN on August 27, 2026 that .net will cost registrars $12.00 a year from March 1, 2027, up from $10.91. It covers registrations, renewals and transfers.
Porkbun warns of a phishing wave of fake domain-expiry emails
On August 26, 2026, Porkbun emailed all its customers about fake expiry and suspension emails that copy its look. It says no Porkbun system was breached and no data leaked.
Namecheap raises .xyz to $21.48 a year and the .monster family to $21.98
Since August 25, 2026, Namecheap charges $21.48 a year to register, renew or transfer .xyz, up from $19.48. Eleven endings such as .monster and .quest rose to $21.98.
City of Helsinki ends .helsinki; ICANN plans no new operator
Helsinki gave ICANN notice on May 28, 2026 that it is ending its .helsinki registry contract. On August 19, ICANN said the ending need not move to a new operator.
July 2026
Google Registry launches .eat, .fly and .here; open to all November 17
Google Registry's three new endings are in trademark sunrise until November 9, 2026, then early access with an extra fee, and open to everyone from November 17, 2026.
Verisign gets .web into the DNS root; sales planned for later in 2026
On July 22, 2026, Verisign said .web had been delegated into the DNS root zone after its disputes were settled. It plans to sell .web through registrars later this year.
Identity Digital to raise .io, .info, .pro and .mobi prices on Jan 19, 2027
The .io registry told registrars in July 2026 that prices rise on January 19, 2027. Porkbun estimates its .io price will go from $51.80 to $60.00 a year.
June 2026
ICANN board adopts new domain transfer rules
On June 7, 2026, ICANN's board adopted 47 transfer policy changes: a fixed 30-day lock after registration or transfer, and no more 60-day lock after an owner change.