Domains Newsletter - February 2026

Domains newsletter - February 2026

Who says fresh ideas are only for January? February is just as good a moment to explore what’s new.

 

In this edition, you’ll find a selection of great TLDs in the spotlight - from .buzz to .blog to .fm. On our blog, we’re taking a closer look at DNSSEC and RDAP to help you stay up to date on the technologies shaping the domain space.

 

We’re also sharing the latest registry updates, answers to four frequently asked questions about day-to-day domain operations, and a new improvement to our WHMCS module to make everyday domain management smoother.

 

Happy reading!

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February is a good moment to refresh your domain portfolio with new extensions. 

 

New gTLDs like .cfd.sbs, and .buzz help customers choose names that feel intentional, not generic, and that clearly match their brand or industry.

  • .cfd (clothing, fashion, design) is a natural fit for the fashion industry. Ideal for clothing brands, designers, studios, and creative projects that want a clean, modern domain.
  • .sbs is short for “side by side”. It is well-suited to communities, collaborations, and platforms built around working together.
  • .buzz is direct and expressive. It’s a strong choice for product launches, events, news, and content designed to attract attention.

Looking to broaden your portfolio with domains that are simple to explain and simple to sell? These TLDs are a solid way to start the year strong.

 

Get them all at Openprovider, starting at just $1 for the first year!*

 

*Promotions valid until 01/05/2026, for Members only, and for new, one-year registrations only. After the first year of registration ($1 for .sbs, $1.80 for .buzz, $1.88 for .icu, the regular renewal rate will apply. Prices exclude VAT.

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Industry insights

DNSSEC: what it is, why it matters, and how to enable it

DNSSEC is one of those technologies that works in the background, but plays a major role in keeping the internet trustworthy. Without it, the DNS is vulnerable to manipulation, exposing users and businesses to attacks that redirect traffic, steal data, or impersonate legitimate websites.

 

Go to our blog to learn more about how DNSSEC works - and how to easily enable it for all domains in your portfolio.

 

What is RDAP? The new WHOIS protocol explained

In a world shaped by GDPR and growing compliance expectations, the RDAP protocol has come in to enhance accessibility to domain industry data, without leaking personal information by default. With WHOIS having sunsetted officially in January 2025, queries for RDAP have shown a significant rise in the past year.

 

Want to get up to date? Click here to learn more about how RDAP differs from WHOIS and how it impacts you as a domain reseller.

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Two weeks ago, we released a new version of the Openprovider WHMCS domains module with support for WHMCS 9.0.0, along with multiple performance enhancements and bug fixes aimed at improving your experience.

 

What’s included:

  • WHMCS 9.0.0 compatibility
  • Faster Admin Domain Contacts page using parallel API calls
  • Caching of TLD metadata to reduce repeated API calls
  • New progress bar in the install/update scripts
  • Open DNS Manager in a new tab (toggle in advanced config)
  • Support for overriding dnssec.tpl in custom themes
  • Removed redundant .IT field: Company Registration Number
  • Multiple bug fixes

Get the module on GitHub, or see the changelog for the full details.

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What does it mean when a .co.za domain is registered and put on serverHold?

The serverHold status is applied directly by the registry (ZACR) as part of their automated validation process.

 

When a newly registered .co.za domain does not pass registry-level nameserver validation at the time of their check, the registry places the domain on serverHold.

 

Reapplying the nameservers will trigger a new validation check, and the serverHold is lifted immediately once validation succeeds.

 

My nameserver update shows “Internal Server Error” in the new UI - what to do?

To resolve this, please follow these steps:

  • Log in to the control panel.
  • Navigate to Domains Overview.
  • At the top of the page, switch to the Old Domain Overview view.
  • Update the nameservers for each domain as needed.

What should I be mindful of when registering .be domains?

Always be mindful that all registrant details are correct when registering .be domains. Make sure that the address and phone number associated with the domain are from the same country; e.g., it is not possible to register a .be domain connected to an address in Belgium and a Dutch phone number.

 

The registry performs very strict validation checks on registrant information. If the details are not 100% accurate, the domain may be revoked.

 

Where can you change or update the IPS Tag for .uk TLDs on the new Domain Overview page?

You can find the IPS Tag in the Domain Overview section of your Openprovider Control Panel. Please follow the steps below:

  • Log in to the control panel.
  • Navigate to Domains Overview.
  • At the top of the page, switch to the Old Page view, as the IPS Tag is not available in the new interface.
  • Click on the relevant .co.uk domain name.
  • Scroll down the page to find the IPS Tag section.
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We have informed you of multiple price and policy changes in the past month. For your convenience, you can find the following communications back on the control panel newsfeed:

  • Upcoming price increase for .pt domains (effective March 1, 2026)
  • New .de domain registration and data compliance updates (effective as of January 28, 2026)
  • Awareness notice about phishing campaigns targeting .nz domain name holders

Log in to the control panel to view all updates

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