Change comes as backend registry services are transitioned.
Afilias is taking over backend registry services for Internet Computer Bureau (ICB Registry) and its three ccTLDs .AC, .IO, and .SH. This transition will take place on June 10.
As a result of the transition, there will no longer be a registry-run backorder service for .IO.
In DNW Podcast #136 I interviewed Mike Carson, who runs Park.io. Park.io is a country code drop catching service that made a name for itself with .io expired domains.
The current .io registry began offering its own backordering service after he started Park.io. However, the registry service wasn’t very domainer-friendly: there were no refunds if the current owner renewed the domain.
Nevertheless, .io shutting down its service should be good news for Park.io.
Dropcatching for .IO will be fully supported on http://www.NAMES.plus as well.
Any explanation about why ICB are handing these registry operations over to Affilas? I recall reading https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/british-islands-are-child-sex-hub-5m5p7ssvc recently (article subject to a legal complaint by ICB) and wonder if it was a coincidence or connected.
I think you are wasting your time and money with .io. It’s a domainer and hacker domain extension, it will never be accepted by the general public.
You are better off owning a .com or worst case .co
If .co can’t compete with .com, then there is no chance that .io ever will. IMO