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X Launches Marketplace to Buy, Sell, and Trade Inactive Usernames

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  //humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2025/11 .. ce-to-buy-sell-and-trade-inactive-usernames.html
  Published in Humor and Quirks on Saturday, November 22nd 2025 at 16:22 GMT by PC Magazine

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You Can Now Buy Rare Inactive X Usernames – How the New Marketplace Works, Who It Helps, and What It Means for Brands

The social‑media giant formerly known as Twitter has taken a bold step into the world of digital asset trading. In a move that could reshape how we think about online identity, X (the platform’s new name) has launched a marketplace that lets anyone buy, sell, or trade usernames that have been inactive for a while. The service, described in a recent PCMag article titled “You can now buy rare inactive X usernames,” gives brands, influencers, and ordinary users a new way to claim the perfect handle for a fee.

Why This Matters

For most of its history, X has treated usernames as essentially public domain. Anyone could create an account, choose a handle, and if that handle was ever taken, it remained there—no official mechanism existed for swapping or selling it. That changed with X’s 2023 announcement that it would allow inactive usernames to be reclaimed. In the first few months, the platform quietly tested a simple “Buy Now” button that let users purchase a handle if it had been dormant for at least 12 months. The new marketplace is the next evolution of that experiment: a structured, fee‑based system that connects sellers with buyers in a single, X‑powered portal.

The potential value of a good username is enormous. A handle that is short, memorable, and brand‑specific can be worth thousands of dollars to a company that wants to protect its online presence or capitalize on the virality of a single tweet. Likewise, a musician or public figure may want to reclaim a nickname that was once associated with them, or a startup may want a handle that captures its product name. The marketplace opens the door for these types of transactions and brings a level of transparency that was previously absent.

How the Marketplace Works

1. Search and Discover
   On the X website, users can enter a desired username in the marketplace search bar. The system checks for two scenarios:
   - The username is free (never used). In this case, the buyer can claim it immediately.
   - The username is inactive (belongs to an account that has not logged in for at least 12 months). These are flagged as “available for purchase.”

2. Listing a Username for Sale
   Anyone who owns an inactive account can list it for sale. The process requires the seller to verify identity (via a phone number or email), agree to X’s transfer policy, and set a price. The marketplace displays each listing with a brief bio, the date of last activity, and the asking price. Sellers are free to set any price, but the platform recommends ranges based on handle length, brand potential, and past comparable sales.

3. Buying a Username
   Once a username is listed, buyers can place a “Buy Now” order or submit a bid. The platform uses a secure escrow system: the buyer’s payment (typically via credit card or Apple Pay) is held until the transaction is completed. X takes a 15% fee of the final sale price, while the rest goes to the seller. Buyers can also purchase a username that is free but not yet claimed, bypassing the seller entirely.

4. Transfer and Confirmation
   After payment, X initiates the transfer. The platform’s API automatically migrates the username from the seller’s account to the buyer’s. Once the transfer is complete, the seller receives a notification and a formal “ownership confirmation” PDF. X’s terms explicitly state that ownership of a username is transferred along with the account, and the buyer gains full control immediately.

5. Safety Nets
   The marketplace offers a 30‑day “cool‑down” period during which the buyer can request a refund if the transfer fails. This protects both parties and adds a layer of trust to an otherwise speculative market.

Pricing Landscape

The price of a username on X can vary dramatically. Here are the typical tiers:

While the platform sets a “suggested” price, the final amount depends on demand. Highly sought‑after names like @x or @coca‑cola have been sold for over $5,000 on other marketplaces, so the numbers above represent just a snapshot of the broader market.

Who Benefits?

• Brands and Corporations – Want a handle that aligns with their product or service? The marketplace gives them a way to secure that identity before it falls into the hands of a reseller or a competitor.
• Public Figures and Influencers – A nickname or personal brand can be a core part of their identity; reacquiring it can bolster credibility.
• Entrepreneurs – A company name that matches a domain name can create a seamless online presence.
• Collectors – Some users enjoy owning rare or historically significant handles as a hobby.

X’s Policy Backing the Marketplace

The platform’s Terms of Service have been updated to address this new feature. Key points include:

• Username Ownership – Once transferred, the buyer owns the username with no further obligations to X.
• Transfer Process – All transfers must occur through X’s official marketplace or a verified third‑party system.
• Payment & Fees – X will deduct a 15% fee from the transaction; sellers are responsible for any taxes that may apply.
• Prohibited Use – Users cannot sell a username that violates X’s policy on harassment, hate speech, or defamation.

The policy can be reviewed in full on X’s help center, ensuring that both buyers and sellers operate within a legally sound framework.

Potential Criticisms

Some observers warn that monetizing usernames could lead to speculative behavior. The platform may see an influx of “username squatting,” where individuals buy handles only to resell them at a higher price. Others fear that the new marketplace could dilute the uniqueness of user identities, turning X into a marketplace for vanity rather than genuine community building.

Nevertheless, many industry experts believe that the benefits outweigh the risks. A controlled marketplace reduces the likelihood of fraud, provides a revenue stream for X, and offers users a new avenue for self‑expression.

Takeaway

The launch of X’s username marketplace represents a significant shift in how we view social media identities. By turning usernames into tradable assets, X has opened a new revenue stream for itself while giving brands, influencers, and everyday users a structured, secure way to acquire the perfect handle. Whether you’re a marketer looking to cement your brand’s online presence or a curious collector of digital names, this new marketplace is worth exploring.

If you’re interested in checking out the marketplace, head over to X’s official site and click the “Username Marketplace” link in the settings menu. Just remember to review the terms, consider the price, and think carefully about how a new username fits into your overall digital strategy. Happy hunting!