The AI.com purchase signals Crypto.com’s founder expanding into AI with a consumer-first platform and strong brand positioning.
Kris Marszalek, founder and chief executive of Crypto.com, has bought the domain AI.com for $70 million. The purchase stands as the highest publicly disclosed price ever paid for a domain name. Plans are now in place to turn the domain into a consumer-focused AI platform.
Marszalek Calls AI.com a Long-Term Bet on the Future of AI
Marszalek confirmed ownership of AI.com in comments to the Financial Times, describing the purchase as a long-term bet on artificial intelligence. As noted by the CEO, AI is one of the most important technological shifts of the next two decades. Viewing the domain as a scarce digital asset, he said ownership of AI.com offered lasting value that could not be easily replaced.
Deal broker Larry Fischer confirmed the $70 million price and said payment was made entirely in cryptocurrency. Fischer described AI.com as a once-in-a-generation asset, noting that few digital properties carry such global recognition. According to him, no disclosed domain sale has ever exceeded the price paid for AI.com.
Marszalek declined to comment directly on the valuation but said owning the domain gives strong strategic advantages. He argued that controlling a widely recognized entry point helps avoid becoming interchangeable in crowded markets. The CEO also noted the unusual position of owning two major, category-defining domains, citing Crypto.com and AI.com.
Crypto.com entered an already competitive exchange market in 2016. Despite heavy competition, Marszalek said annual revenue has reached roughly $1.5 billion, citing brand visibility as a major help in that growth.
In 2021, the company signed a $700 million, multi-decade agreement to put its name on a well-known sports stadium in Los Angeles. After that deal, the company also signed business partnerships, including one with Trump Media & Technology Group.
Super Bowl Debut Sets a High-Profile Launch Stage
AI.com is now Marszalek’s next major project, and interest in reselling the domain appeared quickly. The CEO mentioned that buyers are making very high offers. Despite that demand, he said keeping the ownership would build trust and recognition in the growing AI market.
Marszalek plans to debut AI.com during a Super Bowl advertisement tied to Super Bowl LX. In addition, the platform’s autonomous agent product is scheduled for official launch on February 8, shortly after the commercial airs.
https://t.co/ac2AqjBNxj launching during Super Bowl this Sunday. The countdown begins.. https://t.co/VWX0e63xG9
— Kris — ai.com — crypto.com (@kris) February 7, 2026
According to company statements, AI.com allows users to create a private AI agent in about one minute. Agents are designed to perform tasks rather than only respond to questions. Organizing work, sending messages, managing actions across apps, and building projects are among the agents’ many functions.
Marszalek said the service aims to be as appealing as tools like OpenClaw but much easier to set up and use. The goal is to make AI useful for people without technical skills.
Moreover, company materials state that this shared learning model increases value for all users over time. Access to AI.com begins with a free tier, while paid subscriptions unlock higher usage limits and advanced features. Setup requires only choosing a user handle and an AI handle.
The CEO drew parallels between AI.com and Crypto.com’s early days. He said thousands of exchanges existed when Crypto.com launched, yet strong branding and persistence led to success. He expressed similar confidence in AI.com, saying the firm would succeed in one form or another, regardless of early challenges.
