Published: February 7, 2026 Category: Technology | Domain Investments | AI News Author: NRIGlobe Tech Desk
In a landmark deal that has stunned the tech and domain investment world, AI.com — one of the most premium and memorable domain names imaginable — was acquired for $70 million. This transaction, completed in April 2025 and publicly revealed on February 6, 2026, sets a new all-time high for the most expensive publicly disclosed domain sale in history.
Kris Marszalek, co-founder and CEO of Crypto.com, personally purchased the domain through a cryptocurrency-funded deal brokered by domain industry veteran Larry Fischer of GetYourDomain.com. The payment was made entirely in digital assets, highlighting the deepening convergence between cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and high-value digital real estate.
Why AI.com Commanded a $70 Million Price Tag
The domain’s ultra-short, exact-match keyword nature makes it exceptionally valuable in the exploding artificial intelligence sector:
- Instant Brand Recognition — “AI.com” immediately communicates authority and relevance in artificial intelligence.
- SEO Power — Premium two-letter .com domains with high-search-volume keywords like “AI” deliver massive organic traffic advantages.
- Trust & Memorability — Short, pronounceable .coms build instant user confidence — crucial for consumer-facing AI platforms.
- Market Timing — Acquired amid the global AI boom, it outpaced the previous public record holder, Voice.com ($30 million in 2019), by more than double.
Marszalek, who famously acquired Crypto.com for millions in 2018 and transformed it into a leading crypto exchange, views AI.com as a strategic long-term play. He has reportedly turned down substantial resale offers to focus on development.
Details of the Historic AI.com Domain Sale
- Sale Price: $70 million USD (confirmed by broker Larry Fischer)
- Transaction Date: April 2025
- Disclosure Date: February 6, 2026
- Payment Method: 100% in cryptocurrency
- Previous Asking Price: Listed at $100 million in March 2025
- Broker: Larry Fischer, GetYourDomain.com
- Buyer: Kris Marszalek (personally, for a new AI venture)
The domain previously redirected to platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and briefly to Elon Musk’s xAI, adding to its storied history before this blockbuster transfer.
AI.com’s Future: Launching a Consumer AI Agent Platform
Marszalek has assembled a dedicated team since the purchase and confirmed that AI.com will serve as the home for a new consumer-oriented AI platform centered on personal AI agents. These agents are designed to handle everyday tasks such as messaging, app control, scheduling, and even stock trading in a secure, user-centric environment.
The platform’s official debut was timed with a high-profile Super Bowl commercial airing shortly after the announcement, signaling aggressive mainstream marketing to capture everyday users in the competitive AI space.
Implications for Domain Investors, NRIs, and the Tech Industry
This record-shattering sale underscores several key trends:
- Premium .com domains remain unmatched in value, especially keyword-rich, short names tied to booming sectors like AI.
- Crypto leaders are diversifying into AI, using digital assets for major real-world acquisitions.
- Digital real estate as an investment class continues to appreciate dramatically in the post-2020 tech landscape.
For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) exploring opportunities in technology, blockchain, and domain investing, deals like this highlight the massive potential in premium digital assets. High-value domains can serve as foundational branding tools for global-scale businesses.
Stay updated on the latest in AI innovations, domain investments, crypto-AI intersections, and NRI business opportunities worldwide. Follow www.nriglobe.com for expert insights, market analysis, and exclusive stories shaping the future of tech and finance.
Sources: Financial Times, Domain Name Wire, MLQ.ai, and public statements from Kris Marszalek and Larry Fischer (as reported February 2026).
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