AI.com Domain Sells for $70 Million as Crypto CEO Bets Big on AI Hype

The domain name AI.com has sold for a staggering $70 million, setting a new record for the most expensive domain purchase in history. The buyer, Kris Marszalek, CEO of cryptocurrency platform Crypto.com, acquired the domain through broker Larry Fischer of getyourdomain.com, according to the Financial Times.

The sale price eclipses the previous record of $49.7 million paid for CarInsurance.com and falls short of the $100 million Fischer had suggested was possible in 2025. Despite the eye-watering sum, Marszalek told the Financial Times he believes there are "good business reasons" for the investment, taking a long-term view of "10 to 20 years."

Marszalek envisions AI.com offering features similar to OpenAI but "ideally without the associated security nightmares of the vibe-coded agent farm." He emphasized the importance of owning this digital "touchpoint" to avoid being commoditized in the competitive AI landscape.

This purchase comes at a time when investor enthusiasm for AI is being tempered by growing skepticism about whether the technology has yet to justify the massive investments being poured into it. The deal coincides with increasing market jitters about the sustainability of AI valuations.

The timing is particularly interesting given Marszalek's background in cryptocurrency, another sector that has experienced extreme volatility and hype cycles. Crypto.com, which boasts over 150 million users globally according to its website, has itself navigated the turbulent crypto market.

Marszalek's strategy appears to be betting on AI following a similar trajectory to cryptocurrency – moving from speculative investment to mainstream adoption. By securing AI.com, he's positioning himself at what he sees as the ground floor of what could be the next major technological revolution.

The purchase price was reportedly paid entirely in cryptocurrency, adding another layer of intrigue to the transaction. This choice of payment method underscores the growing intersection between the crypto and AI sectors, as well as the increasing acceptance of digital assets for high-value transactions.

Domain experts note that AI.com represents an exceptionally rare opportunity. As Fischer told the Financial Times, "With assets like AI.com, there are no substitutes. When one becomes available, the opportunity may never present itself again."

For Marszalek, the acquisition represents more than just a domain name – it's a statement of intent and a bet on the future of artificial intelligence. Whether this $70 million investment will prove to be a visionary move or an expensive vanity project remains to be seen, but it certainly reflects the current AI gold rush mentality permeating the tech industry.

As AI continues to dominate headlines and attract massive investment, the sale of AI.com serves as a tangible marker of just how much value the market places on the technology's potential. Whether this enthusiasm will translate into sustainable business models or simply add to the growing list of tech bubbles remains one of the defining questions of our time.