Social media platform X has unveiled Handles Marketplace, a new feature allowing Premium users to bid on inactive usernames linked to dormant accounts. The platform, described as a “first-of-its-kind” system, offers both free and paid options for users seeking to claim eligible handles.
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Key points:
- X has launched Handles Marketplace, allowing Premium users to bid on inactive usernames, with some rare handles valued at over seven figures.
- The new system restricts participation to paying subscribers and prohibits reselling acquired handles, aiming to reassign dormant accounts.
- Public response has been divided, with some praising the move as innovative and others criticizing it as another monetization tactic by the platform.
“Handles are coming,” the official Handles Marketplace account announced on October 18, as the platform opened its waitlist for interested X users. Currently in its beta phase, the platform allows Premium subscribers to join a waitlist for upcoming handle drops, request specific usernames, and browse inactive accounts eligible for redistribution. X described the initiative as a way to reassign unused handles, with access limited to paying members.
According to the Handles Marketplace FAQ page, certain usernames are included with Premium+ or Premium Business subscriptions, while others, particularly rare or highly sought-after handles, can range in price from $2,500 to well over seven figures, depending on their demand and exclusivity.
Premium subscribers can add desired usernames to their Watchlist and will receive notifications once those handles become available. The Handles Marketplace also stated that all acquired handles are non-transferable, and any attempt to buy or sell them outside the platform could result in account suspension.
Public reaction to the platform’s announcement has been mixed. While many X users expressed enthusiasm over the opportunity to claim long-coveted usernames, others raised questions about its broader implications.
“On one hand, it could be smart freeing up ghost accounts, helping brands claim the handles they’ve wanted. On the other, it feels like monetising what was once freely shared. The value is shifting, and not always in users’ favour,” X user, Surendra Koutarapu, wrote.
Aida Bell, a marketing and algorithm strategist, described the initiative as more than a simple product rollout, calling it a new kind of “identity system.” She noted that in 2025, a user handle represents more than a clickable link, it defines how people are recognized and remembered online.
As X continues to reshape its platform around premium features and digital identity, the success of Handles Marketplace may hinge on whether users see it as genuine innovation, or just another paywall in the evolving social media economy.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
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