Donuts Inc., the global leader in next generation top-level domains (TLD) and digital identity,
today announces that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Afilias, Inc. for an
undisclosed sum. The transaction, which will not include Afilias’ mobile software and registrar
businesses, is expected to close in Q4 2020, following successful completion of regulatory
requirements.
The Afilias registry business features a prominent back-end registry platform, DNS solutions
and cyber-security expertise. Afilias operates the authoritative directories and DNS for over 200
top-level domains. The Afilias registry business also includes an impressive array of top-level
domains such as .info, .global, and .mobi, as well as country codes, dotBrands and other
generic TLDs.
“The Afilias and Donuts teams share a commitment to security, stability and reliability,” Donuts
CEO Akram Atallah commented. “This will only grow stronger as we implement the best
technologies and services from each organization while maintaining seamless delivery to our
registry and registrar partners as well as our end registrants.”
The Donuts and Afilias teams will continue to provide registrar partners the same access to the
domain names and services they’ve had in the past. With a combined Donuts and Afilias
partnership, cyber-security will be a top priority and registrants will have even more simplicity,
consistency, efficiency and quality to help them secure their online identities.
Commenting on the acquisition, Afilias CEO, Hal Lubsen said, “We are thrilled to choose Donuts
as the steward for Afilias’ next phase. As a proven leader and innovator, we know that the
synergies delivered to our registry clients, registrars and employees will benefit the entire
domain community.”
Donuts and Afilias have begun the required regulatory review processes and are cooperating
fully to ensure that all requirements are met.
Afilias was advised by Moelis & Company LLC and Sidley Austin LLP while Donuts was advised
by Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
