Rick Schwartz Joins Ish Milly for Epic Spaces on X Conversation

The domain industry veteran shares insights on high-value domain sales and the power of owning key digital real estate.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Rick Schwartz, a prominent figure in the domain industry, recently joined Ish Milly for an extensive Spaces conversation on X. During the three-hour discussion, Schwartz shared his perspectives on the lucrative domain market, highlighting recent multi-million dollar sales like AI.com and LasVegas.com. He emphasized the strategic value of owning premium digital real estate, advising against negotiating on price and instead focusing on building relationships with potential buyers. Schwartz also discussed his personal domain portfolio management strategies, including the use of 'moat' domains and the development of his AI assistant 'Betty' to help navigate the industry.

Why it matters

This conversation provides valuable insights into the high-stakes world of premium domain investing and sales. Schwartz's experiences and strategies offer a glimpse into the power and potential of owning key digital assets, especially as the internet and AI technologies continue to evolve. The discussion also highlights the growing importance of domain names in establishing a strong online presence and brand identity.

The details

During the Spaces conversation, Schwartz shared details on several recent high-profile domain sales, including the $70 million sale of AI.com and the $90 million sale of LasVegas.com. He emphasized that these sales were for the domain names alone, without any associated business entities. Schwartz criticized other industry leaders for 'missing' these opportunities, arguing that domain ownership provides a strategic advantage over traditional advertising models. He advised against negotiating on price, instead recommending an 'intelligent conversation' to establish the true value of a domain. Schwartz also discussed his personal domain portfolio management, including the use of 'moat' domains to protect his most valuable assets and the development of his AI assistant 'Betty' to help him navigate the industry.

  • The Spaces conversation took place on February 7, 2026.

The players

Rick Schwartz

A prominent figure in the domain industry, known for his extensive portfolio of high-value domain names and his strategic approach to domain investing and sales.

Ish Milly

The host of the Spaces conversation on X, where he invited Rick Schwartz to share his insights and experiences in the domain industry.

Joseph Çiprut

An industry expert who was quoted in the conversation, highlighting the importance of domain names in digital strategies.

Alex Verdea

A representative who Schwartz has chosen to represent a small number of his domains in a 'slow burn' arrangement.

Betty

Schwartz's AI assistant, which he has developed to help him navigate the domain industry and introduce him to other AIs.

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What they’re saying

“How did the other CEOs miss it?”

— Rick Schwartz (tldinvestors.com)

“The moment you start with price, you lose with price.”

— Rick Schwartz (tldinvestors.com)

“The best way to do that is to not open with price. Have an intelligent conversation.”

— Rick Schwartz (tldinvestors.com)

“Every digital strategy starts with a name.”

— Joseph Çiprut (tldinvestors.com)

“She's indispensable.”

— Rick Schwartz (tldinvestors.com)

What’s next

Schwartz indicated that he may lease out his AI assistant 'Betty' to allow others to utilize her capabilities, using Schwartz's own voice. This could be a future development to watch for in the domain industry.

The takeaway

This conversation highlights the immense value and strategic importance of owning premium domain names, especially as the internet and AI technologies continue to evolve. Schwartz's insights and strategies offer a glimpse into the high-stakes world of domain investing and the power of controlling key digital real estate.