Domain Name Wire Podcast

In this discussion, Munir Badr, founder of the Domain Days Conference in Dubai and operator of aeserver.com, reveals the thriving domain landscape in the Middle East. He highlights popular domain extensions and surprises listeners with an unexpected country code. Munir shares his journey in establishing a domain name business and the importance of local extensions like .ae. He also discusses strategic planning for international conferences, emphasizing Dubai's role as a global trading hub for domain investors.

Darpan Munjal, Founder and CEO of Atom, a cutting-edge domain marketplace and ICANN-accredited registrar, shares his vision for transforming the registrar landscape with AI. He discusses Atom's innovative features aimed at enhancing user experience and explores the rising popularity of .ai domains, which are quickly eclipsing .com in sales. Munjal delves into the impact of logos on domain sales, unveiling how they can significantly boost sell-through rates. He also highlights the importance of user discovery in domain purchasing dynamics and future marketplace enhancements.

Brett Farmiloe, Founder of Featured, shares insights on his company's recent acquisition of HARO after rebranding from Terkel to Featured.com. He discusses how the new brand and domain have positively impacted their direction. The conversation delves into how Featured connects journalists with experts, the evolution of HARO, and the importance of strong domain names. Farmiloe also explores the challenges and strategies involved in integrating HARO while maintaining trust and quality for users, all while shedding light on the competitive landscape.

Krista Taylor, co-founder of TLDZ and a specialist in top-level domains, dives into the exciting next round of TLD expansion. She discusses the implications of ICANN's Draft Applicant Guidebook and what businesses can expect. The conversation highlights tactics for recognizing TLD value, strategic alignment in applications, and the evolving landscape of dot brands. Taylor also emphasizes the industry’s revitalization, focusing on innovations in customer interaction and the essential role of thorough planning for successful TLD launches.

Join Paul Mockapetris, the mastermind behind the Domain Name System (DNS) and Chief Scientist at ThreatStop, as he reflects on the revolutionary inception of DNS. He shares insights into the initial skepticism surrounding the .com domain and the complexities of network management in the early internet days. Paul also discusses the critical evolution of DNS security, emphasizing the balance between recognizing legitimate and malicious content. Plus, he touches on the future of DNS amidst rising cybersecurity challenges and the burgeoning Internet of Things.

Theresa Swinehart, SVP of Global Domains and Strategy at ICANN, dives into the upcoming round of top-level domain applications. She highlights how brand strategies have evolved since the last application window over a decade ago. The conversation reveals challenges brands face, including high costs and knowledge gaps. Financial support options for new applicants, especially small businesses and those from developing nations, are also discussed. Additionally, Swinehart emphasizes the importance of community feedback and strategic alignment in navigating the dot-brand landscape.

Tom Barrett discusses what’s next with domain names and web3 technology. This month, Encirca became the first registrar I’m aware of to announce integration with D3’s Doma Protocol, which allows registrars to add blockchain enhancements to domain names. Encirca also announced MyPublicWallet. I’m joined by Encirca President Tom Barrett on today’s show. Tom has been […] Post link: Web3 and domains: What’s next? – DNW Podcast #535 © DomainNameWire.com 2025. This is copyrighted content. Domain Name Wire full-text RSS feeds are made available for personal use only, and may not be published on any site without permission. If you see this message on a website, contact editor (at) domainnamewire.com. Latest domain news at DNW.com: Domain Name Wire.

Bill Sweetman, Founder of Name Ninja, shares his expertise in domain name transactions. He discusses the unexpected complexities that often arise after agreeing on a price, such as KYC hurdles and escrow issues. Sweetman highlights concerns about personal information sharing during these processes and suggests alternatives like CEDO. He emphasizes the importance of effective communication in international trades, especially under regulatory scrutiny, while also exploring the role of trust in escrow services to mitigate risks in these transactions.

In this engaging discussion, Simone Catania from InterNetX shares insights on the Global Domain Report, shedding light on the evolving domain registration landscape. Dave Evanson and Simra Kerna from Sedo dive into the booming aftermarket, exploring trends in buy-now pricing and ccTLD popularity. They reveal how technology shapes registrations and the rising interest in new domain extensions. The conversation also touches on the impact of international economic shifts on consumer behavior and investment strategies, making for a thought-provoking exploration of the domain market.

Dive into the latest buzz in the domain industry! Discover why Verisign's stock surged recently and the drama surrounding a registrant backing out of a deal. Unpack the intricate legal landscape with a focus on high-profile court cases, including the contentious battle over 420.com. Explore groundbreaking tools enhancing domain customization and the rise of reverse domain name hijacking. Also, get insights into premium domain sales and cutting-edge AI appraisal tools shaping market trends.