Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has introduced a new feature known as the X Handle Marketplace, designed to allow Premium Plus and Premium Business subscribers to acquire inactive usernames. The new marketplace enables eligible users to obtain handles either for free or at a cost, depending on their category and value.
According to the company, the X Handle Marketplace represents an industry-first initiative to redistribute inactive usernames while creating a new stream of monetization for the platform. In an official statement, X said that eligible Premium subscribers can now search and request available handles, with both complimentary and paid options accessible within the system.
The new service is structured around two main categories of handles; Priority Handles and Rare Handles each with specific acquisition guidelines. Priority Handles typically consist of full names, multi-word phrases, or alphanumeric combinations, and can be obtained free of charge by Premium subscribers. Once approved, these handles are transferred directly to the user’s account. However, if the subscriber cancels or downgrades their plan, the handle reverts to its original state after a 30-day grace period.
Rare Handles, on the other hand, include short, generic, or culturally significant usernames such as @Tom or @Pizza. These are obtainable either through public drops or direct purchases. In public drops, multiple users may apply for the same handle, with selection based on factors such as engagement history, contribution to the platform, and intended use. Direct purchases are available for select users at fixed prices ranging from $2,500 to over seven figures, depending on the uniqueness and demand for the handle. Once purchased, Rare Handles remain permanently with the buyer, even if their Premium subscription ends.
The marketplace is designed as an ongoing service aimed at attracting and retaining paid subscribers while ensuring that inactive but valuable handles are efficiently redistributed. Once a new handle is secured, the user’s previous one is frozen. However, if the subscriber later downgrades their plan, access to the newly acquired handle is lost after a 30-day grace period.
The launch of the Handle Marketplace is part of X’s wider strategy to evolve into a multifunctional platform. Earlier in June, the company introduced XChat, a new messaging service aimed at competing with platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. XChat features end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, file sharing, and voice or video calling, with beta testing currently underway among paid subscribers.
Elon Musk has repeatedly stated his ambition to transform X into a global super app similar to China’s WeChat, integrating messaging, payments, entertainment, commerce, and even dating. As of October 2024, the platform recorded about 600 million monthly active users.
In addition, X’s ad revenue-sharing program, launched in July 2023, has distributed more than $45 million to over 150,000 content creators, averaging about $6.4 million per month. The company also holds payment processing licenses in 14 U.S. states, a step that aligns with its plans to introduce a peer-to-peer payment system and expand its digital ecosystem.
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Elon Musk’s X Launches Handle Marketplace for Inactive Usernames
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has introduced a new feature known as the X Handle Marketplace, designed to allow Premium Plus and Premium
