Radix Targets 46 New gTLDs, ICANN Confirms Support Discounts, Verisign Raises .net Price
This edition covers Radix's 46 new gTLD applications, ICANN's Applicant Support Program results, Verisign's .net price hike, ICANN board changes, and .am's registration milestone.[1][4][5][9][2]
- 46New gTLD applicationsRadix Deux round
- 56Applications confirmed qualifiedICANN Applicant Support Program
- 10%Wholesale price increaseVerisign .net registry
- 50,000Registrations milestoneArmenia's .am ccTLD
Key takeaways
- Radix applied for 46 new gTLDs in the 2026 round under an initiative dubbed "Radix Deux."[1]
- ICANN confirmed 56 of 78 Applicant Support Program applications as qualified for fee discounts.[4]
- Verisign will raise .net wholesale prices 10% within about six months.[5]
- Armenia's .am ccTLD passed 50,000 registrations while marking its 32nd anniversary.[2]
- ICANN de-accredited a registrar described as "bulletproof" for tolerating abusive registrations.[8]
- Oscar Robles was selected to fill the ICANN board seat left vacant by Alan Barrett's death.[9]
Today in domains
This edition tracks the 2026 new gTLD round taking shape through fresh applications and finalized support-program discounts, even as a .net price increase and a string of ICANN board and compliance changes reshape costs and oversight for registrants.[1][4][5][9]
New gTLD Round Draws Major Applicants, Support Program Wraps
Registry operator Radix, which ran seven TLDs after the 2012 new gTLD round, has applied for 46 additional new top-level domains in ICANN's 2026 application round, an initiative the company calls "Radix Deux." The move signals renewed institutional appetite for the second gTLD expansion, with Radix betting its prior operational track record will help it secure approvals despite likely contention with existing string holders across dozens of applied-for strings. Separately, ICANN released final statistics on its Applicant Support Program, which discounts the $227,000 new gTLD application fee by up to 85% for qualifying organizations. Of 78 applications submitted, 56 were fully confirmed as qualified, four were withdrawn and three were ruled ineligible, giving a clearer picture of how many discounted applicants will compete alongside commercial registries like Radix for new strings in the current round.[1][4]
Verisign Raises .net Wholesale Price
Verisign announced it will raise the wholesale price of .net registrations and renewals by 10% from the current $10.91, effective roughly six months after the August 27, 2026 announcement, under its ICANN registry agreement. The increase adds to ongoing cost pressure on registrars and portfolio holders renewing legacy .net holdings.[5]
ICANN Board and Compliance Changes
ICANN's Address Supporting Organization selected Oscar Robles to serve an abridged board term through November 2027, filling the seat left vacant by the death of director Alan Barrett. The appointment comes as the internet governance community also mourns former ICANN board director Bertrand de La Chapelle, who served from 2010 to 2013 and died unexpectedly this week. Separately, ICANN de-accredited a registrar described as "bulletproof," a term for registrars known for tolerating abusive or illicit domain registrations, continuing enforcement against non-cooperative registrars.[7][9][8]
Armenia's .am Passes 50,000 Registrations
Armenia's .am ccTLD surpassed 50,000 registrations on August 14, 2026, and marked its 32nd anniversary on August 26, giving the extension two milestones within the same month. The growth underscores .am's continued niche appeal, notably among buyers drawn to the string's branding potential.[2]
Aftermarket Snapshot: Auction Closings
Domain Shane's recap of August 27 auction activity across Dynadot, Catched and GoDaddy platforms showed moderate four-figure sales, led by hosts.io.[6]
| hosts.io | $2,125 |
| aold.com | $1,025 |
| civilized.life | $1,042 |
Selected auction closings, Aug 27, 2026
Briefly noted
- Daily Auction Listings: Domain Shane published its August 28 auction list covering Dynadot, Namejet, Catched, Namepros and GoDaddy listings including Bit.works, TimeLogic.com and Umwelt.com, alongside commentary on registrar Unstoppable Domains pivoting toward AI while keeping its domain business.[3]
- DomainSherpa Video: DomainSherpa published a short-form "Sherpa Shorts" segment on August 27 discussing effective accelerationism in the domain industry.[10]
What to watch
~Feb 2027Net price hike takes effect Verisign's 10% .net wholesale increase is due roughly six months after the August 27 announcement, and registrars will need to decide how much of that cost to pass to renewal customers.[5]
Radix Deux contention outcomes How many of Radix's 46 new gTLD applications clear ICANN evaluation and avoid contention sets will shape the competitive landscape of the 2026 gTLD round.[1]
Nov 2027Robles' abridged board term ends Oscar Robles' ICANN board term running through November 2027 sets up another Address Supporting Organization selection process before then.[9]
Questions investors are asking
Why did Radix apply for 46 new gTLDs in the 2026 round?
Radix, which operated seven TLDs after the 2012 round, applied for 46 additional new top-level domains under an initiative called "Radix Deux," leveraging its prior registry operating record to pursue a larger footprint in the current expansion round.[1]
What discount does ICANN's Applicant Support Program offer?
The program offers up to 85% off the $227,000 new gTLD application fee; ICANN's final statistics show 56 of 78 submitted applications were confirmed fully qualified, four were withdrawn and three were ruled ineligible.[4]
When does Verisign's .net price increase take effect?
Verisign announced the 10% wholesale increase from $10.91 on August 27, 2026, with the change effective roughly six months later.[5]
What does "bulletproof" mean for the registrar ICANN de-accredited?
The term describes registrars known for tolerating abusive or illicit domain registrations; ICANN's de-accreditation removes that registrar's ability to sponsor domains under its contract.[8]
Who is Oscar Robles and why is he joining the ICANN board?
Robles was selected by ICANN's Address Supporting Organization to serve an abridged board term through November 2027, filling the seat left vacant by the death of director Alan Barrett.[9]
What milestone did Armenia's .am ccTLD reach?
.am surpassed 50,000 registrations on August 14, 2026, and celebrated its 32nd anniversary on August 26, 2026.[2]
What happened in the domain aftermarket this week?
Domain Shane's August 27 auction recap showed sales including hosts.io at $2,125, aold.com at $1,025 and civilized.life at $1,042 across Dynadot, Catched and GoDaddy platforms.[6]
Sources and citations
- DNJournalWith a Record of Success Running New Top Level Domains Radix is Back for Round 2 With Their Sights Set on Winning Dozens of New TLDsAugust 28, 2026
- DNJournalFans of Armenia's .AM TLD Have Their Party Hats on This Month As .AM Reached a New Registration Milestone and Celebrated Its 32nd AnniversaryAugust 28, 2026
- Domain Shane / DSADShane’s List of Domains at Auction for Friday, August 28th, 2026ShaneCultra · August 28, 2026
- DomainInciteFifty-six orgs get 85% off their gTLD feesKevin Murphy · August 28, 2026
- DomainIncite.net prices going upKevin Murphy · August 28, 2026
- Domain Shane / DSADAUCTION RECAP OF AUGUST 27, 2026Travis M. · August 28, 2026
- DomainInciteFormer ICANN director Bertrand de La Chapelle diesKevin Murphy · August 28, 2026
- Domain Name WireICANN de-accredits “bulletproof” domain registrarAndrew Allemann · August 28, 2026
- DomainInciteRobles to join ICANN boardKevin Murphy · August 28, 2026
- DomainSherpaDomainSherpa – Sherpa Shorts – August 27, 2026: Effective AccelerationismDomainSherpa · August 28, 2026
Each source opens the original publisher. Unique Domains summarizes and attributes this reporting without republishing the source article.