Upcoming TLDs / .dao
Can you register a .dao domain?
Source: ICANN 2026 round applications, checked October 27, 2026. Not in the IANA root zone as of October 26, 2026.
What .dao would mean
In their own words, from the public part of each application (question 118):
Dao commonly refers to a term with multiple commonly understood meanings depending on the context in which it is used. For example, it may refer to a decentralized autonomous organization or to the philosophical concept of Dao (or Tao).
DAO is the acronym for Decentralized Autonomous Organization, a global concept that represents an important infrastructure for future digital governance, Web3 innovation, and the next-generation internet ecosystem.
decentralised autonomous organisation
DAO means “the way” or “path” in Chinese thought. It also stands for Decentralized Autonomous Organization: a group coordinated through software and shared rules. An old word for a new way to organize.
Who applied for .dao
Acid Medal, LLC
US, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
The mission of .DAO is to provide a namespace associated with the applied-for string. The .DAO gTLD is intended to serve a broad range of registrants and users, including individuals, businesses, organizations, communities, projects, and other entities that identify with, relate to, or wish to be associated with the concept represented by the applied-for string.
hma.org.cn
Hangzhou Marketing Association, CN, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing, ICANN applicant support
The mission and purpose of the applicant in applying for the "DAO" string are to create a globally recognized and trusted Internet digital identifier namespace, serving decentralized governance, collaborative innovation, and the next-generation organizational forms of the Internet. DAO is committed to becoming the official online identity gateway for global decentralized autonomous organizations, Web3 communities, blockchain protocols, governance platforms, research institutions, developers, and various organizations adopting decentralized collaboration models. At the same time, DAO will …
Link Freedom Group / LFG
Link Freedom Group Ltd, MT, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
Link Freedom Group (LFG) aspires to become a best-in-class, vertically integrated domain name registration authority, see linkfreedomgroup.link. This TLD is part of a carefully curated portfolio of strings that LFG intends to pursue in ICANN’s 2026 New gTLD Program. In assembling this portfolio, LFG focused on securing meaningful, memorable, and commercially compelling strings that resonate strongly with end users and offer long-term growth potential.
XYZ.COM LLC
US, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
1. Mission and purpose. This gTLD will be operated as an open, unrestricted generic top-level domain. Its purpose is to expand naming choice in the DNS by making this term available at the top level for any lawful use chosen by the registrant. Registrations will be available to all registrants on a first-come, first-served basis through ICANN-accredited registrars, subject only to the Registry Agreement, ICANN Consensus Policies, and applicable law. The applicant will not operate this gTLD on an exclusive basis.
What happens next
- April 30, 2026: Application window opened (done)
- August 12, 2026: Application window closed (done)
- October 7, 2026: Reveal Day: ICANN published every applied-for string (done)
- October 21, 2026: Replacement period ended (applicants could switch to a backup string) (done)
- November 17, 2026: String Confirmation Day: the final list of applied-for strings
- March 16, 2027: Community input and objections period ends
Dates from ICANN’s Reveal Day announcement, checked October 27, 2026. We re-check the applications every day and this page changes when they do.
When will .dao be available?
ICANN has not set a date. The final list of applied-for strings comes on String Confirmation Day (November 17, 2026), community input and objections run until March 16, 2027, and ICANN processes applications after a prioritization draw in 2027. Registration opens only after ICANN delegates .dao and its registry announces launch dates.