Domain Industry Roundup: January 2026
TL;DR
✔️ Team Internet AG CEO Michael Riedl characterized 2025 as "seismic" and outlined expectations for a "pivotal" 2026 in a special industry interview.
✔️ Two former ICANN board directors are seeking to return to the organization's board through the At-Large Community selection process.
✔️ Ghana's government announced plans to nationalize the .gh ccTLD, potentially ending three decades of private registry operation by a former ICANN director.
✔️ RIPE NCC achieved SOC 2 Type II certification for its RPKI service, strengthening security assurance for internet routing infrastructure.
✔️ Hervé Clément was re-elected as Chair of both the ASO Address Council and NRO Number Council for 2026.
Introduction
Let’s start a year by launching our very first monthly roundup, beginning with January 2026. As this is the first time we’re bringing you this recurring overview, we’ll be highlighting the key developments, trends and conversations shaping the domain industry each month.
January itself opened with the domain industry’s traditional year-in-review reflections, as major publications released comprehensive assessments of 2025's transformative shifts and outlined expectations for the months ahead. The month was characterized by introspection and strategic planning, with industry leaders reflecting on a year described as both "dramatic" and "seismic" in its impact on domain markets and infrastructure.
Governance emerged as a central theme throughout the month. ICANN board elections drew former directors back into the fray, while a surprising nationalization move in West Africa signaled potential shifts in how countries view ccTLD sovereignty. Meanwhile, infrastructure organizations continued strengthening operational foundations, with security certifications and transparency reports underscoring the technical community's commitment to accountability.
The month's coverage spanned the full spectrum of domain industry concerns—from high-level strategic analysis to technical infrastructure improvements and policy developments. For domain investors and businesses managing portfolios through platforms like Dynadot.com, these governance and infrastructure developments provide important context for understanding the evolving regulatory landscape.
As the industry enters what multiple observers predict will be a "pivotal" year, January's discussions set the stage for debates around centralization, security, and the balance between private enterprise and state control in domain administration.
Top Headlines
DNJournal published its landmark State of the Industry 2026 report, featuring insights from 29 domain experts across all sectors of the industry. The comprehensive analysis examines what the publication characterizes as a year of "dramatic change" in 2025.
Now in its 22nd year, the annual report has become the industry's most anticipated strategic overview. The tradition began in January 2005, two years after DNJournal's New Year's Day 2003 launch.
This year's contributors represent diverse perspectives from registries, registrars, aftermarket platforms, investors, and policy organizations. Each expert provided commentary on the most important trends they observed in 2025 and their expectations for the year ahead.
Our SEO, shared Dynadot’s plans for this year:
In addition, Dynadot is making domain transactions more global and more user-friendly with adding multi-currency payment links. We’re continuing to invest in the NameClub premium domain marketplace to enhance the aftermarket experience.
The report arrives as the industry grapples with questions about market consolidation, new gTLD performance, and evolving regulatory frameworks. With nearly a quarter-century of annual reports now available, the series provides valuable longitudinal data on how industry sentiment and priorities have shifted over time.
Team Internet AG CEO Michael Riedl sat down with DNJournal for a State of the Industry EXTRA interview, characterizing 2025 as "monumental" and forecasting that 2026 will prove "pivotal" for the domain industry.
The interview, published as an unexpected addition to DNJournal's annual industry coverage, offers Riedl's perspective on the seismic shifts his company and the broader market experienced over the past year.
Team Internet operates one of the world's largest domain portfolios and provides monetization services across millions of domains. Riedl's insights carry particular weight given his company's scale and market position.
The government of Ghana announced plans to nationalize the .gh country-code top-level domain, potentially ending more than thirty years of private registry operation, according to Domain Incite.
Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation Samuel George reportedly stated the government intends to place the ccTLD fully under state control. The registry has been operated by a former ICANN director since its inception.
The move represents a significant shift in ccTLD governance philosophy. While many country-code domains are government-controlled, others operate under private or academic administration with varying degrees of state oversight.
Ghana's nationalization plan raises questions about compensation, transition timelines, and whether other countries might follow suit. The decision could impact how ccTLD operators worldwide view their long-term security of tenure.
For a former ICANN director to potentially lose control of a registry they've operated for decades underscores the ultimate sovereignty governments hold over their country codes, regardless of operational history.
Two former ICANN board members are among four candidates seeking to join the organization's board of directors through the At-Large Community selection process, Domain Incite reported.
Sébastien Bachollet, Justine Chew, Maureen Hilyard, and Lito Ibarra have all put themselves forward to replace León Sánchez, who is term-limited and due to leave seat 15 of ICANN's board.
The presence of former directors in the candidate pool show their desire to contribute during what many see as a critical period for ICANN governance. Board service requires significant time commitment and offers no financial compensation, making the motivation largely mission-driven.
The At-Large Community represents individual internet users within ICANN's multi-stakeholder model. Its board seat provides end-user perspective alongside representatives from registries, registrars, governments, and technical communities.
RIPE NCC announced its RPKI service has obtained SOC 2 Type II assurance certification, strengthening security guarantees for the internet routing infrastructure service.
The certification validates that RIPE NCC's controls are not only properly designed but also operating effectively over time. SOC 2 Type II reports require auditors to observe controls in operation over a minimum period, providing greater assurance than Type I assessments.
RPKI (Resource Public Key Infrastructure) helps prevent BGP routing hijacks and other internet routing security threats. As adoption grows, the security and reliability of RPKI services becomes increasingly critical to global internet stability.
The certification demonstrates RIPE NCC's commitment to operational excellence in managing critical internet infrastructure.
Hervé Clément, representing the RIPE NCC region, was re-elected as Chair of both the ASO Address Council and NRO Number Council for 2026, NRO announced.
His appointment was confirmed during the ASO AC teleconference held on January 14, 2026. Clément will continue leading both councils in coordinating global internet number resource policy.
The ASO Address Council advises ICANN on IP address policy matters, while the NRO Number Council coordinates between the five Regional Internet Registries. The dual chairmanship ensures alignment between these complementary governance bodies.
Notable Domain Sales
Let’s take a look at some notable domain sales for January 2026, as featured in the NameBio report. From premium one‑word names to strategic keyword domains, this month’s activity highlights continued demand and impressive valuations in the domain aftermarket. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just curious about what’s trending, these sales offer valuable insight into where the market is heading.
Market Sentiment
January's industry sentiment reflected cautious optimism mixed with uncertainty about governance and regulatory direction. The characterization of 2025 as "seismic" and "dramatic" by multiple industry leaders suggests the market experienced significant disruption, though specific details about those changes weren't elaborated in the available coverage.
The Ghana nationalization announcement injected a note of concern about ccTLD operator security. While government control of country codes isn't unprecedented, the potential displacement of a three-decade operator raises questions about predictability and property rights in domain administration. This development may prompt other long-standing ccTLD operators to reassess their relationships with government stakeholders.
Infrastructure and governance organizations demonstrated continued focus on security, transparency, and operational excellence. RIPE NCC's SOC 2 certification and quarterly sanctions transparency reporting signal the technical community's response to growing scrutiny of internet infrastructure. These moves toward greater accountability may reflect lessons learned from 2025's "dramatic changes."
Looking Ahead
The industry enters 2026 with multiple observers predicting a "pivotal" year, though the specific catalysts for transformation remain somewhat opaque from January's coverage. The concentration of former ICANN directors seeking board positions suggests governance challenges ahead that experienced hands feel compelled to address.
The Ghana nationalization bears watching as a potential precedent. If other governments follow suit, the calculus for ccTLD operators could shift significantly. Conversely, if the transition proves difficult or controversial, it might reinforce the value of public-private partnership models that have characterized many successful ccTLDs.
Technical infrastructure continues its steady march toward greater security and transparency. The RPKI certification and sanctions reporting represent incremental but important steps in building trust and resilience into internet foundational systems. These unglamorous but essential improvements provide stability even as policy and market dynamics create uncertainty.
Bottom line: January 2026 set the stage for what industry leaders expect will be a transformative year. Governance questions (from ICANN board composition to ccTLD sovereignty) will likely drive significant discussion in coming months. The industry's traditional year-end introspection revealed a sector processing major changes while bracing for more ahead. How these governance tensions resolve, and whether market fundamentals support the optimism underlying "pivotal year" predictions, will become clearer as 2026 unfolds.