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Elon Musk's X has launched what it calls the X Handle Marketplace—a new feature that gives eligible Premium Plus and Premium Business subscribers the chance to claim or acquire usernames that have long sat inactive on the platform.
According to X, formerly Twitter, the X Handle Marketplace is an industry-first initiative designed to redistribute usernames that are no longer in use. The company describes it as a way to give new life to dormant handles while ensuring fair access to valuable online identities.
The X Handle Marketplace is our industry-first solution to redistribute handles that are no longer in use.
— Handle Marketplace (@XHandles) October 19, 2025
Eligible Premium subscribers will be able to search and make requests, with both complimentary and paid options available.
Eligible Premium subscribers will be able to search for and request inactive usernames, with both complimentary and paid options depending on the rarity and demand of each handle. You can browse a pool of inactive usernames and submit requests.
X is opening up the inactive accounts for the purpose of making usernames more accessible and giving users a fair chance to claim the identities that best represent them—a move that aligns with Elon Musk’s vision to turn X into a dynamic, all-in-one platform for users, creators, and businesses alike.
X Divides The Available Handles Into Two Categories
It's worth noting that X divides the available handles into two categories:
- “Priority” handles and
- “Rare” handles
Priority handles are X usernames that consist of full names, multi-word phrases, or alphanumeric combinations.
These can often be requested for free—but it's also subjected to an approval. Once approved, the handle is transferred to the user’s account. Meanwhile, note that when multiple users apply for the same handle, selection is determined by factors such as past contributions, intended use, and overall engagement on the platform.
On the other hand, Rare handles are short, generic, or culturally significant names such as think @Pizza, @Tom, @One e.t.c. These are either released by invitation, special “drops”, or direct purchase. The prices quoted by X start around $2,500 and may run into the seven-figure range, depending on users' demand and uniqueness of the handle.
However, it's important to keep in mind that if you acquires a new handle via this marketplace, your old handle is frozen and cannot be claimed by others. Also, if you downgrade or cancel your current subscription—premium+ or premium biz—you may lose the handle because the handle will revert to its original state after a 30-day grace period.
How to Explore Inactive 𝕏 Handles
Currently, X Handles Marketplace is available to full access Premium Businesses users, and coming soon to Premium+. And for free users, they can join the waitlist. To secure your desire X username or handle;
- Go-to https://handles.x.com/ on your web-based browser.
- Click Sign In if you’re a Premium Business subscriber to secure your desired handle or username instantly.
- But if you're a premium+ subscriber or free user, click "Join the Waitlist," and enter the hand you want to secure in the designated box.
After that, you'll get a waitlist confirmation email from X, saying:
You’re now on the waitlist for the X Handle Marketplace. We will be releasing the platform to users in the coming days and weeks.
Please note that a subscription to Premium will be required to browse handles on the platform. Premium+ or Premium Business will be required to make handle requests.
Keep an eye on your email and notifications for an update about your place on the waitlist.
Thanks,
Handle Marketplace Team.
Why X is Launching Inactive Handles/Usernames
There are several motivations behind this launch. First of all, we can say X is trying to monetise dormant assets. There are millions of inactive accounts on X; the platform sees an opportunity to convert unused digital collectibles into a revenue stream.
Another thing that motivated X into launching this product is that many users have complained that their desirable usernames are already taken—but the accounts that hold these usernames are inactive. So, this marketplace is positioned as a way to tackling handle scarcity.
And most importantly, X is making this available to its paid subscribers just to add value and increase the share of users who subscribe. All these are good but the big questions are: How will X determine when an account is “inactive”? What criteria apply?
Without clarity on this, the process could be viewed as arbitrary or favoring those who can pay. What do you think about the X Handle Marketplace? Could there be trademark or impersonation conflicts if inactive handles are repurposed without clear owners being notified? Let's know your opinions in the comments section.
