Bluehost owner offloads business domain registrar Markmonitor to focus on its web hosting segment - and its seven million customers

• Com Laude cements its influence with $450 million domain registrar acquisition
• Markmonitor leaves Newfold Digital as the company pivots toward web hosting
• Newfold focuses resources on Bluehost and Network Solutions for growth

Com Laude, a London-based company, is set to acquire Markmonitor from Newfold Digital in a deal valued at approximately $450 million.

The transaction represents a major shift in the corporate domain management industry, which typically operates outside public view but plays a critical role for large enterprises.

Headquartered in London, Com Laude, known for offering specialized services tailored to brand owners who prioritize security-conscious domain management, has spent the past 25 years building a reputation as a corporate registrar.

Com Laude expands its portfolio

Markmonitor, based in Boise, brings with it a portfolio of 2,000 clients spread across 80 countries.

Its acquisition allows Com Laude to extend its reach while deepening expertise in managing and protecting corporate digital assets.

The deal is designed to consolidate capabilities in an industry which often receives limited attention but remains central to brand protection and online identity.

The merged entity will focus on domain protection and online brand security, with promises of new AI-powered services.

Yet, there is little clarity on how such commitments will translate into practical offerings or whether clients will actually see measurable benefits.

The corporate registrar space is small but vital, and consolidation could raise concerns about reduced choice for businesses that rely on independent domain services.

The seller, Newfold Digital, has framed the transaction as a deliberate move to narrow its focus.

The company, backed by private equity investors Clearlake and Siris, claims that its future lies with its most prominent brands, Bluehost and Network Solutions.

Both businesses sit squarely in the web hosting and registrar sectors, with Bluehost alone serving millions of WordPress sites.

"This step strengthens our focus on Bluehost and Network Solutions, positioning us to accelerate growth and deliver even greater value to customers," said Sharon Rowlands, CEO of Newfold Digital.

"We appreciate the contributions of the Markmonitor team and are confident Com Laude is the right partner to advance Markmonitor's next phase of growth."

Offloading Markmonitor is a way for Newfold to concentrate resources on small business web hosting and related services.

Newfold Digital has emphasized AI-driven tools for website creation and online presence management, suggesting it sees greater returns in chasing mass-market customers than maintaining a niche registrar aimed at global corporations.

However, the web hosting sector is highly competitive, with free web hosting providers and low-cost rivals constantly undercutting larger firms.

The decision to streamline could therefore be seen as both strategic and defensive.

For Com Laude, the acquisition adds scale and prestige, but it may also come with the challenge of integrating two specialized firms without diluting the personal service that has long defined its brand.

For Newfold Digital, the deal is an attempt to sharpen its identity as a provider of web hosting and domain solutions for a mass audience.

“Markmonitor is the best known name in domain services for corporate clients. Together, we will be uniquely positioned to protect and grow the digital presence of any company that needs assistance with its domain names, internet infrastructure and security, online brand protection, internet policy and compliance, and online strategy,” said Ben Crawford, CEO of Com Laude.

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