Atom / Atom.com - Marketplace (formerly Squadhelp)

[JudgeMind]

Hey Folks,

I've just started using squadhelp.com to list some of my brandable. So far I have 76 domains listed, there is no fee to list. I've had some decent action so far in the way of interested buyers but no sales as of yet. I've only been with them for 1 week now.

A bit of a summary review of SquadHelp:

PROS

• No Listing fee
• No Logo design fee
• Ability to submit your names to end users holding naming contests
• Ability to chat directly or send a message directly to end users.
• Stats of your marketplace domains are shown in the marketplace dashboard.
• Their customer service and support has been great, 24hr a day chat.
• Ability to increase or decrease the list price of your domains or to show a discount. You can decrease or increase the price yourself by $200. If you want to lower more, you can contact support.
• End users can shortlist your domains before they make a decision on which they want to purchase. The number of shortlists is shown in you marketplace dashboard.
• When you submit your names you get to set the price you wish to get. Because their commissions are high I recommend listing at a higher price to offset the commission costs.
• Their landing pages are fairly basic but they work. Because the marketplace is fairly new, I'm sure we will see style improvements in the future.
• One thing I really like is they accept multiple extensions. I have listed .co and .io along with .com
• Each seller gets a direct link to their marketplace portfolio, HERES MY PORTFOLIO. It is handy if your trying to p[promote your portfolio through social media.
• I like that their marketplace doesn't have tens of thousands domain listings like BB. They are fairly strict on the domains they accept to list and so this helps keep the number of domains in the marketplace down and gets your listings more exposure.

CONS

• Their commissions are very high, depending on the domain name they are usually between 30% and 35%. However, there are no listing fees, no logo design fees, so in the end their commission is very similar to brand buckets.
• Their logos are not top quality, in fact I requested to have some of my logos remade.
• I think they have a big backlog of logos to design, the wait time for logo design has been around 1 week, but your names are still listed while the logos are being designed.
• After your names are accepted you need to agree to their commission rate, at this point you also need to apply your own keywords, descriptions etc. I found this was very time consuming.

 

[URL Stream]

https://helpdesk.atom.com/en/articles/13182068-how-vat-is-handled-on-atom-com-eu-uk

How VAT Is Handled on Atom.com (EU & UK)​

Learn about VAT handling on Atom.com Domain Purchase Transactions

Written by Atom
Updated today

Starting January 1, 2026, Atom is updating how Value Added Tax (VAT) is handled for domain purchase transactions involving EU and UK buyers. The goal of this update is to simplify VAT handling for sellers and remove unnecessary complexity, while ensuring VAT is applied consistently and correctly.

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What’s changing​

When VAT is collected from a buyer, Atom will remit the VAT directly to the relevant tax authorities in the EU and UK. VAT will no longer be passed through to sellers for remittance.
Atom is registering with the appropriate EU and UK tax authorities so VAT can be handled centrally, transparently, and with minimal effort required from sellers.

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Why we’re making this change​

To simplify VAT handling and reduce administrative complexity for sellers, Atom is centralizing VAT collection and remittance, in line with global marketplace practices.

• Removes the need for sellers to track, file, or remit VAT on Atom transactions
• Reduces administrative and compliance complexity
• Ensures VAT is applied consistently across regions
• Allows sellers to focus on selling, not VAT logistics

This update is designed to make VAT handling simpler and more predictable for sellers.

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What’s not changing​

• Sellers are not selling their domains to Atom. Atom remains a marketplace facilitating sales between buyers and sellers.
• Sale prices, commissions, and payout calculations are unchanged.
• Sellers remain responsible for their own taxes, such as income or corporate taxes.
• VAT will continue to be clearly shown on buyer invoices where applicable.

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Payment plans​

This VAT handling applies to all future payments, including payment plans already in progress.
For any installment paid on or after January 1, Atom will handle VAT remittance for that payment, even if the payment plan started earlier.

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Do sellers need to take any action?​

No. Sellers do not need to register for EU or UK VAT as a result of this change.
Sellers should simply ensure their account details remain up to date and consult their own tax advisors regarding income or corporate taxes.

Atom.com considers this information pop-up worthy.

 

[Leo2k]

For a domain, which was not coin submitted earlier, when i try clicking on Afternic under promotion its opening the settings popup where I dont see any option for enabling/paying coin for afternic listing. Voin submission no more needed for Afternic listing or is that option just not in the new interface / hidden somewhere?

 

[Embrand]

For a domain, which was not coin submitted earlier, when i try clicking on Afternic under promotion its opening the settings popup where I dont see any option for enabling/paying coin for afternic listing. Voin submission no more needed for Afternic listing or is that option just not in the new interface / hidden somewhere?

Show attachment 290313

You can do it in the old interface.

 

[NameGroove]

You can do it in the old interface.

yup, this is the current situation. Some stuff can be done in the old interface. Some in the new. Some of us do not like the new interface, others do not like the old. I asked for something to be connected on the old interface and Atom told me they are unlikely to add it as they are not supporting it (as much). So the writing is on the wall. We'll be forced to switch soon enough

 

[Future Sensors]

That's a sad state of affairs.

 

[Chris Co]

The forced switch to the new interface should be paused until ALL functionality has been added to it from the old.

 

[Blueleaf66]

Is this a joke or what?

 

[Future Sensors]

Is this a joke or what?

Your stats for the past two days look unusual, indeed.

I'm not seeing that pattern here.

 

[Chris Co]

Is this a joke or what?

Your stats for the past two days look unusual, indeed.

I'm not seeing that pattern here.

Same, mine have actually been higher the last couple of days.

 

[NameGroove]

The forced switch to the new interface should be paused until ALL functionality has been added to it from the old.

Looks like their IT dept will be working through xmas to fix all the bugs

 

[Simon SE]

I read something recently the suggested Atom relaxed their stance on listing premium names on other platforms as well as Afternic (taking the 10% rule into account).

Eg, its now possible to list also on Spaceship. I am struggling to find the link/article though. Can someone confirm is this is accurate?

 

[Optimal Names]

I read something recently the suggested Atom relaxed their stance on listing premium names on other platforms as well as Afternic (taking the 10% rule into account).

Eg, its now possible to list also on Spaceship. I am struggling to find the link/article though. Can someone confirm is this is accurate?

I recall reading the same. Will see if I can locate that. Hopefully @Atom.com can confirm or deny....

 

[Simon SE]

@Optimal Names I think this was it

https://www.atom.com/blog/expanding-domain-exposure-a-more-flexible-way-to-list-premium-domains/

https://twitter.com/x/status/1958644613209821484

 

[Leo2k]

I read something recently the suggested Atom relaxed their stance on listing premium names on other platforms as well as Afternic (taking the 10% rule into account).

Eg, its now possible to list also on Spaceship. I am struggling to find the link/article though. Can someone confirm is this is accurate?

Search for 'Partial Exclusivity Policy:' in their help center to find the detail article.

 

[Optimal Names]

@Optimal Names I think this was it

https://twitter.com/x/status/1958644613209821484

Yes, I believe that is what I was thinking about as well. However, that was prior to the loss of Sedo so I think that is the question now - will we be able to list at Sedo also. Hopefully @Atom.com will consider allowing us to. I would guess Sedo wouldnt have an issue with it.

The other question I have is: if we remove a premium name from Atom, after the 30-day wait, can we list at Sedo or will the name still be held up?

 

[Simon SE]

will we be able to list at Sedo also

Policy wise is unclear, but its literally not possible anyway atm due to issues highlighted already I believe. At least, thats been the case for me so far.

 

[draco]

Thanks for flagging this.

Our default domain purchase and transfer workflow is optimized for speed, efficiency, and security. By completing most transactions through our registrar automation, we’re able to verify ownership quickly and release seller payouts almost immediately once the domain is secured. This is the fastest and most reliable path for the majority of sales.

That said, registrar pushes are still supported. If a domain is transfer-locked or otherwise cannot be transferred into Atom registrar, we can complete the transaction via a push at the same registrar. In those cases, the automated path is bypassed and handled manually.

It’s also important to note that buyers always have the option to request an auth code if they wish to move the domain to a different registrar right away, without waiting on any transfer lock.

If this wasn’t communicated clearly or escalated properly in your case, we agree that’s something we need to improve. Please share the domain name, or reference this thread with support, and we’ll make sure the right team reviews it so the transaction can move forward without unnecessary delays.

Our goal is simple: close transactions quickly, keep them secure, and get sellers paid as fast as possible.

Thank you. It did take a couple days, but your transfer team finally confirmed I could push the domain to the buyer's account at the current registrar. The transaction has now been completed.

Darpan responded to my message on LinkedIn and confirmed what you said. The default method is to transfer to your registrar, but a registrar push or transfer to a different registrar are still available. I've already shared the domain with him. He said he would look into it.

 

[NameGroove]

Policy wise is unclear, but its literally not possible anyway atm due to issues highlighted already I believe. At least, thats been the case for me so far.

The policy is clear. They allow listings at Afternic and all ICANN accredited registrars at +10%

Which means, if a marketplace is not an accredited registrar (Sedo, for example) we are not currently able to list Premiums there

EDIT: my info above is incorrect - they have (had) a flexible listing policy enabled on Aug 21, that allowed sellers to list on all marketplaces at +10% - however, they quietly updated their partial exclusivity T&C's on Nov 12 to solely mention Spaceship SellerHub.

Both links are live and currently cause confusion. @Atom.com please read here, and give careful consideration, before deciding what to do
https://www.namepros.com/threads/atom-atom-com-marketplace-formerly-squadhelp.1120686/post-9522963

 

[Future Sensors]

Which means, if a marketplace is not an accredited registrar (Sedo, for example) we are not currently able to list Premiums there

Which is odd, because:

 

[Simon SE]

The forced switch to the new interface should be paused until ALL functionality has been added to it from the old.

Agreed, although hopefully not having to worry about carrying the legacy way of doing things gives them the bandwidth to focus and move quicker. At least, we can hope.