global iname pricing will be changing
When the iname global launch happens, iname prices will be changing. Here’s what inamers can expect.
Community inames will continue to be free (or whatever the community offering them wants to charge). Think of these like email addresses - if you register a domain you can crank out as many as you want. The same with inames; if you have one (especially a global one), you’ll be able to create as many community inames as you want.
Global inames (inames that start with an = or @) which are top-level names, will not be free. Global inames will be sold through ibrokers who purchase the names at wholesale rates and mark them up as they choose. Estimates of street prices to register an =name for a single year vary between $10 and $20 dollars (USD).
Contrast the single year price above with the ongoing special deal still available at 2idi.com: a 50-year iname registration for only $25 (USD).
The special price on 50-year names will end with the global launch so if you’re tempted to get a global iname you might want to act now: better deals are highly unlikely.
50-year names will continue to be available after global launch until the Identity Commons supply is exhausted, however the price will definitely go higher. How much higher is still being negotiated but prices as high as $100 (or more) have been discussed.