The Rise of Digital Identity Trading: X Opens Marketplace for Dormant Usernames

The social platform X has officially launched a marketplace where dormant usernames can now be bought or sold, transforming digital identity into a monetized asset. This marks a new stage in the evolution of online branding, where a single word or short handle becomes a commodity with measurable market value.

Today, more than 4.9 billion people use social media, and according to digital branding research, over 72% of users associate trust and credibility with a clean, memorable username. As demand grows, short handles are becoming as valuable as domain names once were. In 2023 alone, the aftermarket for digital identifiers reached over $50 million in global transactions, showing how rapidly this niche is expanding.

X’s new marketplace currently operates for Premium+ subscribers, giving them early access to inactive usernames that previously belonged to non-active accounts. Premium users can place bids or purchase names directly. High-value handles — such as @art, @game or @ai — may reach prices from several thousand dollars to over a million, depending on rarity and brand potential.

At the same time, less competitive usernames can be claimed for free if a user convincingly explains why they should own that specific name. This introduces an unusual hybrid model: part auction, part application system.

Experts note that digital identity is becoming a core part of personal branding. A username is no longer just a tag — it is a micro-brand that can influence searchability, recognition and even monetization opportunities. As digital commerce grows, so does the value of uniqueness.

However, legal debates may arise. Trademark disputes, identity conflicts and ownership challenges are expected, especially as big brands monitor this market closely. X has stated it retains the right to reclaim or reassign any username if a user remains inactive or violates platform rules.

The transformation of usernames into assets signals a broader trend: online identity is becoming an economy of its own.