X’s new handle marketplace enables Premium subscribers to claim inactive usernames, categorizing them into Priority and Rare tiers. Rare handles like @Pizza or @Tom can cost up to $1 million based on demand, while Priority ones are free but require ongoing subscriptions.
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X handle marketplace launch: Premium Plus and Business users gain access to dormant usernames.
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Priority handles, such as @JohnSmith, are requestable at no cost but revert after subscription cancellation.
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Rare handles priced from $2,500 to over $1 million; non-transferable to prevent flipping, per X’s policy.
Explore X’s handle marketplace for inactive usernames. Premium users can claim rare handles up to seven figures. Learn pricing, rules, and crypto implications—subscribe for updates on digital assets in social media.
What is X’s Handle Marketplace and How Does It Work?
X’s handle marketplace is a platform launched by X, formerly Twitter, allowing Premium subscribers to acquire inactive usernames through a structured two-tier system. Introduced in 2025, it addresses long-standing user frustrations over unavailable handles by enabling claims on dormant accounts, preserving follower counts during transfers. This initiative, detailed in X’s official materials, aims to monetize digital real estate while maintaining platform control.
How Are Rare and Priority Handles Priced on X?
X categorizes inactive handles into Priority and Rare based on desirability and cultural value. Priority handles, including full names like @JohnSmith or alphanumeric ones like @Lisa35, are available for free requests but tied to an active Premium subscription; cancellation triggers a 30-day grace period before revocation. Rare handles, such as short generics like @Pizza, @Tom, or @One, command prices from $2,500 to over $1 million, determined by X’s assessment of demand and significance, according to company guidelines reported by COINOTAG in October 2025.
Unlike Priority options, Rare handle owners retain access post-subscription, though transfers are prohibited to curb speculation. X’s policy states that handles acquired via the marketplace are non-transferable, with violations risking account suspension. This setup formalizes a previously underground market, where unofficial sales thrived since Twitter’s inception, but now X profits directly. Research from blockchain analytics firms indicates that just 27 monitored accounts generated nearly $500,000 through handle flipping in prior years, highlighting the lucrative potential X now controls.
The marketplace also features a watchlist for unavailable handles, notifying users upon release. When claiming a handle, the original dormant account is frozen, and followers migrate seamlessly. X mentions future redirect options for select accounts at extra cost, though not yet available. This system builds on Elon Musk’s 2022 pledge to purge 1.5 billion inactive accounts, as noted in his May 8, 2023, post, evolving from flat $50,000 fees in late 2023 to tiered pricing amid declining ad revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Crypto Influencers Buy Inactive X Handles Through the Marketplace?
Yes, crypto influencers with Premium Plus or Business subscriptions can claim inactive X handles via the marketplace. For instance, rare handles appealing to the crypto community, like those evoking Bitcoin or blockchain terms, may fetch high prices based on demand. This allows preserving audience reach without starting new accounts, as per X’s 2025 rollout details.
What Happens If You Cancel Your Premium Subscription After Claiming an X Handle?
If you’ve claimed a Priority handle, X will revoke it after a 30-day grace period following subscription cancellation, returning it to the pool. Rare handles remain yours indefinitely, even without Premium, enabling long-term ownership for valuable digital identities in the crypto and broader social space.
Key Takeaways
- X’s marketplace empowers Premium users with handle access: It solves bot-driven snatching issues, offering controlled claims for usernames dormant for years.
- Tiered pricing reflects value: Free Priority for basics, up to $1 million for rares, driven by cultural demand and X’s revenue needs post-ad decline.
- Non-transferable policy curbs abuse: Prevents flipping; original owners get no compensation, raising transparency concerns for crypto users and others.
Conclusion
X’s handle marketplace represents a pivotal shift in social media asset management, particularly for X username seekers in the crypto sector where concise, memorable handles enhance branding for traders and projects. By pricing inactive X handles up to seven figures, X not only generates revenue but also streamlines user experience amid evolving digital economies. As reported by sources like COINOTAG and backed by Elon Musk’s earlier statements, this 2025 initiative underscores X’s focus on monetizing scarcity. Crypto enthusiasts should monitor availability, as coveted handles could boost visibility in a competitive landscape—consider Premium upgrades to stay ahead. Published by COINOTAG on October 20, 2025; last updated October 21, 2025.
