Corporate domain registrar Markmonitor has been sold once more, marking at least its fifth ownership change in under 15 years.

This time, Newfold Digital sold the registrar to Com Laude, continuing Newfold’s strategy to streamline its domain assets. Recently, Newfold consolidated its flagship registration brands — Web.com and Register.com — under the Network Solutions umbrella.

Com Laude’s Buying Spree

For Com Laude, this marks the second acquisition announcement in just two weeks. Last week, it acquired domain consulting firm FairWinds.

Backed by private equity firm PX3 Partners, Com Laude has been on an aggressive growth track. Its CEO, Ben Crawford (formerly of Team Internet Group), is well-known for expanding businesses through acquisitions — and seems to be applying the same approach here.

Markmonitor’s Rollercoaster of Owners

Markmonitor customers may be experiencing déjà vu:

• 2012 – Acquired by Thomson Reuters

• 2016 – Sold to Clarivate Analytics

• 2022 – Acquired by Newfold Digital for $300 million

• 2024 – Sold to Com Laude at a valuation of $450 million

A Key Player in Corporate Domains

Markmonitor manages about 700,000 .com domains, along with other extensions, putting it in direct competition with CSC, Safenames, and GoDaddy Corporate Domains.

With Com Laude at the helm, industry watchers will be curious to see how the company integrates Markmonitor — and whether its clients will finally get some stability after years of ownership changes.