Quick answer
Can I register a .io domain offshore without KYC?
Yes. The .io registry accepts second-level names from anyone in the world, with no residency rule. We need one verified email, no ID, and we include WHOIS privacy on every .io. At Isthmus Domains, an offshore domain registrar in Panama, a .io costs $34.49/year the first year and $52.99/year to renew (19 October 2026), paid in crypto with no KYC.
Search a .io domain
Popular extensions
- .io $34.49
For .io, availability is confirmed when you order, not live; if the name is gone, the full amount returns to your balance.
.io price per year
| Extension | 1st year | Renewal | Transfer | WHOIS privacy | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .io | $34.49 | $52.99 | $52.99 | Free | None |
A .io renews at a higher price than its first year, as at most registrars, so check the renewal figure before you commit.
.io at a glance
| Registry | Internet Computer Bureau Limited |
|---|---|
| Kind of extension | Country-code TLD (ccTLD) of the British Indian Ocean Territory, used as a tech brand |
| Who can register | Anyone worldwide, at the second level |
| Without KYC at Isthmus Domains | Yes, email check only |
| Public WHOIS / RDAP | Privacy contact instead of yours |
| Registration period | 1 to 10 years |
| Domain protection | Yes, optional per year |
Who can own a .io, and what do we ask for?
The .io registry, Internet Computer Bureau, opens second-level names such as yourname.io to individuals and organisations anywhere. Only third-level names under the territory's own zones require local residence, and almost nobody qualifies. As a ccTLD, .io is not a generic ICANN extension, but we apply the same email check to every order. That verified email is the only contact detail we ask for. No passport, no company papers and no selfie. You pay in Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, Litecoin, USDT or USDC, so your bank never sees the purchase. A team can register before it has a legal entity.
Public data on a .io name
The .io registry allows privacy services, so we include ours. A public lookup on your .io lists our privacy contact, not your email, the only contact data we collect. The registrar, nameservers, creation and expiry dates stay public. Because .io is a country code, its registry follows its own data rules rather than ICANN's gTLD policy. It keeps its own copy of the data it receives. We have not verified how long the .io registry retains that data.
Holding a .io through our company
Startups often register a .io before they form a company. The optional Domain protection puts the name in our company name at the registry, never yours. A transfer lock is on by default, and every transfer or DNS change needs confirmation from your account. We hold only your email. We release the data we hold only when Panamanian law requires it (a Panamanian court or prosecutor's order), or in a UDRP case. A person reviews any complaint first. When the company exists, ask us to move the name into its own name, free.
Who runs .io, and the Chagos question
IANA delegated .io in 1997 to Paul Kane, who ran it as Internet Computer Bureau. Afilias bought the company in April 2017 for $70.17 million. ICB is now part of Identity Digital, which operates the registry. The territory itself is disputed. In October 2024 the UK said it would hand the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, and a treaty was signed on 22 May 2025. Domain Incite reported in 2026 that the deal was put on ice. For now, .io runs normally.
Projects where .io reads well
| Use | Why .io fits |
|---|---|
| SaaS and developer tools | Engineers read io as input/output, so the name feels native to software. |
| Browser games | Agar.io and Slither.io made the .io game genre widely known. |
| Crypto and web3 projects | Many teams in the sector already use .io, so visitors expect it. |
| API endpoints and status pages | Short .io names work well next to a main .com brand. |
The long-term risk on .io, and other traps
If sovereignty ever passes to Mauritius and the IO code leaves the ISO 3166-1 list, IANA rules could require .io to be phased out. Wikipedia notes such a phase-out would take at least five years. No date exists, and the treaty is frozen as of 2026. Still, keep a fallback name for a long-lived brand. Renewals cost far more than many first-year offers. Availability is confirmed only at order, so keep a second choice ready.
What .io costs elsewhere (October 2026)
Porkbun lists .io at $28.12 the first year and $51.80 to renew, on 19 October 2026. On 8 October 2026, Dynadot showed $28.89 and $53.50, Namecheap $32.18 and $60.98, and Cloudflare $32.00 and $50.00 at cost. Offshore hosts asked more: Njalla €45 a year, 1984 Hosting $79.99 and OrangeWebsite €92.00. Epik listed $55.95.
.io questions
Is .io safe to use for a startup in 2026?
.io works normally today, and the UK-Mauritius treaty was shelved in 2026, according to Domain Incite. The risk is long-term: if the IO country code is ever withdrawn, IANA rules allow a phase-out lasting years. Many companies accept that risk. If your brand must last decades, also hold the .com or another backup name.
Why is the .io search not instant?
Our search gives a first indication for .io, but the final answer comes from the registry when we place the order. Popular short names can be taken in between. If the registration fails, the full amount goes back to your balance, and you can pick another name at once.
Do I need to live in the British Indian Ocean Territory?
No. Second-level .io names are open to people and organisations worldwide. Only third-level names under the territory's own zones are reserved for residents, and there are effectively none. We ask for one verified email and accept crypto. No document proves where you live, and none is requested.
Can I transfer my .io from Namecheap or Porkbun?
Yes. Unlock the name at your current registrar, copy the transfer code and start the transfer from our client area. The move usually adds a year at our transfer price, shown on the pricing page. Once it lands, WHOIS privacy and our complaint policy apply to the name.
Sources (5)
- Root Zone Database: .io — IANA (2026-10-08)
- .io — Wikipedia (checked 2026-10-19)
- .io safe for now as Trump puts Chagos deal on ice — Domain Incite (2026-10-08)
- Domain pricing porkbun.com/products/domains — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19)
- TLD price list dynadot.com/domain/tlds — Dynadot (2026-10-08)