Crypto.com Bets $70 Million on AI.com Domain

Crypto exchange makes bold move to position itself at the intersection of blockchain and artificial intelligence

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com has acquired the AI.com domain for approximately $70 million, one of the most expensive domain deals ever. The acquisition signals Crypto.com's strategic pivot toward artificial intelligence as it prepares for a major Super Bowl advertising campaign. The move positions the company at the convergence of two transformative technologies - cryptocurrency and AI.

Why it matters

The AI.com acquisition underscores a broader trend among crypto companies seeking to redefine themselves beyond the volatile world of digital currencies. By securing this premium domain, Crypto.com is positioning itself as a leader at the intersection of blockchain and AI, two of the most disruptive technologies of the 21st century.

The details

The $70 million price tag for AI.com places it among the most expensive domain transactions in history, reflecting the extraordinary premium that two-letter domains command, particularly when they correspond to a rapidly growing technology category like AI. Crypto.com has been quietly building out its own AI capabilities in recent years, including machine learning-driven trading tools, fraud detection systems, and automated customer service solutions. The acquisition suggests the company may be preparing to launch a standalone AI-focused product or platform that integrates blockchain and artificial intelligence.

  • The deal was finalized just days before the 2023 Super Bowl, giving Crypto.com a narrow but powerful window to introduce the AI.com domain to a global audience.

The players

Crypto.com

A cryptocurrency exchange that has been one of the more marketing-savvy players in the digital asset space, including a $700 million deal for the naming rights to the former Staples Center in Los Angeles.

OpenAI

The maker of ChatGPT, which previously owned the AI.com domain and used it as a redirect to its own website.

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What’s next

Crypto.com will need to demonstrate that its AI ambitions are backed by substance, not just spectacle, as the company faces regulatory scrutiny and consumer skepticism in the wake of the FTX collapse.

The takeaway

The AI.com acquisition highlights the surging value of AI-related digital assets and Crypto.com's bold bet that the convergence of blockchain and artificial intelligence will define the next era of financial technology. The company's ability to turn this $70 million investment into a genuine competitive advantage will be closely watched by the industry.