Author: Domain Circle Recently, news of a record-breaking domain name transaction has swept the globe—ai.com was sold for a staggering $70 million, attracting significantAuthor: Domain Circle Recently, news of a record-breaking domain name transaction has swept the globe—ai.com was sold for a staggering $70 million, attracting significant

A careless act at age 10 yielded a 700,000-fold return 30 years later: The man behind the ai.com domain.

2026/02/11 09:30
4 min read

Author: Domain Circle

Recently, news of a record-breaking domain name transaction has swept the globe—ai.com was sold for a staggering $70 million, attracting significant attention from the tech and investment communities.

A careless act at age 10 yielded a 700,000-fold return 30 years later: The man behind the ai.com domain.

What's astonishing isn't just the price itself, but also the 30-year wait and the staggering 700,000-fold return behind this investment. Major global media outlets rushed to report on this legendary domain name transaction.

Buyer's identity: A crypto tycoon's obsession with "premium domain names"

The buyer's identity has already been revealed—Kris, founder of the globally renowned cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com. This wealthy entrepreneur has always had a strong preference for premium domain names, having previously acquired high-priced domains such as Crypto.com for substantial sums.

Now, with artificial intelligence becoming a global technological focus, Kris has once again made a move, acquiring a "crown jewel" domain name in the AI ​​field. This move not only demonstrates his business acumen but also foreshadows significant developments for Crypto.com in the AI ​​sector.

Mysterious seller emerges: 30 years of perseverance by a Malaysian.

Although the buyer's identity has long been public, the seller has remained a mystery. Until recently, rumors circulating online have finally unveiled the identity of this enigmatic figure.

The seller is reportedly a Malaysian named Arsyan Ismail. Incredibly, he was only 10 years old when he registered the domain in 1993, and the registration cost was a mere $100. His reason for buying it was simple and pure—"AI" just happens to be an abbreviation of his name.

From a child's unintentional act to becoming a multimillionaire 30 years later, the story itself is full of legendary color.

A 700,000-fold return: A miracle in the history of domain name investment

From $100 to $70 million, this investment yielded a return of 700,000 times, an astonishingly high annualized rate of return.

Let's make a comparison: if you had invested that $100 in the S&P 500 index back then, it would be worth about $2,000 today; if you had invested it in Apple stock, it would be worth about $150,000 today. The return on ai.com far surpasses all these traditional investment channels.

Could this be considered the most successful single investment by an individual in history? In terms of return multiple, it is definitely an insurmountable milestone in the field of domain name investment.

Why is ai.com so valuable?

1. Extremely concise : Only two letters, and a top-tier combination.

2. Significant implications: AI (Artificial Intelligence) is currently the hottest technology field globally.

3. Brand Potential : Such a domain name can directly become a company brand without any additional explanation.

4. Scarcity : There are only 676 two-letter .com domain names in total, and they have all been snapped up.

In today's world where the AI ​​wave is sweeping the globe, the value of ai.com is self-evident. It is not just a website address, but a symbol of an era.

Domain name investment: An undervalued asset class?

This transaction has once again drawn attention to domain name investment. Looking back, many high-priced domain name transactions are quite impressive:

  • Voice.com : $30 million (2019)

  • 360.com : $17 million (2015)

  • NFT.com : $15 million (2022)

  • Meta.com: Possibly in the tens of millions of dollars (2021)

Compared to many volatile investments, premium domain names offer scarcity, practicality, and brand value, making them a popular choice for savvy long-term investors.

Postscript: A perfect combination of opportunity and vision

Arsyan Ismail's story is truly moving: a 10-year-old's unintentional act, through 30 years of perseverance, ultimately yielded astonishing rewards. While luck played a part, it was primarily a testament to his confidence in and patience regarding the long-term value of digital assets.

As the AI ​​wave arrives, Kris's acquisition of this domain name for $70 million demonstrates his keen business acumen. In this era of fierce AI competition, a top-level domain name can represent a significant advantage in brand recognition.

This deal is destined to become a classic case in investment history—it tells not only a wealth legend, but also a story about vision, patience, and seizing opportunities.

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