.Meow TLD selects CORE as backend provider amid challenges

The dotMeow Foundation, a Belgian nonprofit advocating for LGBTQIA+ community empowerment, is advancing its plan to launch the .meow top-level domain (TLD) after selecting CORE as its registry service provider. The project, funded through a €122,000 Kickstarter campaign, has secured a 75% reduction in ICANN’s application fee under the Applicant Support Program, along with reduced operational fees for its first three years. However, the foundation’s board has had to lend additional funds to cover remaining costs, highlighting the financial pressures of launching a new TLD even with crowdfunding support.

Financial and regulatory hurdles

The foundation’s latest update reveals two major challenges: financial sustainability and regulatory compliance. Crowdfunding, while effective for initial capital, has introduced tax and accounting complexities. The foundation must compile extensive documentation to satisfy ICANN’s application requirements, a process that has delayed progress. Additionally, Belgium’s implementation of the NIS2 directive requires all registry operators to comply, regardless of size—unlike some EU countries, which have carved out exemptions for smaller operators. This has added a layer of preparatory work for the dotMeow Foundation, which must demonstrate compliance before the TLD is delegated.

CORE’s selection as the backend provider may alleviate some technical burdens, but the foundation’s financial strain persists. The board’s decision to lend personal funds underscores the difficulty of sustaining a registry operation on crowdfunded capital alone. The foundation has not yet announced a timeline for completing its ICANN application or launching the .meow TLD.

What this means for new TLD applicants

The dotMeow Foundation’s experience offers a case study for other community-driven TLD projects. While crowdfunding can generate initial momentum, it does not eliminate the need for long-term financial planning. Applicants must account for ongoing costs, including compliance with evolving regulations like NIS2, which may impose disproportionate burdens on smaller operators. The foundation’s reliance on ICANN’s fee reductions also highlights the limitations of such programs in offsetting the full cost of launching and maintaining a TLD.

The .meow TLD’s progress will be closely watched by other community-focused domain projects, particularly those exploring alternative funding models. If successful, it could serve as a template for future initiatives—but its current challenges also serve as a cautionary tale about the hidden costs of launching a new TLD.