It’s pretty clear 2017 has been the year of cryptocurrencies, and in the domain industry, it seems that cryptocurrency-related domain names have been big sellers. Every day, it seems like domain names that have “coin” or “crypto” in them are selling at auction or selling via aftermarket platforms. There are even more cryptocurrency domain names that are sold privately, some for big money. Even Bloomberg published an article about the trend a month ago.
Because of the popularity of these domain names, I reached out to some of the top domain name brokers to ask for their take on these types of domain names. Specifically, I asked if they have any comments about the market for crypto-related domain names that I can share in a blog post. Several brokers responded, and here are their thoughts on the current state of the market.
Should other brokers respond later today, I will add their thoughts as well:
Jen Sale, Evergreen.com:
“Over the past 12-24 months, but especially in the last 2-3 weeks, we’ve seen a huge spike in enquiries to broker (buy and sell) crytocurrency domains. In fact, we receive multiple enquiries every single day right now.
We have successfully acquired and sold several cryptocurrency domains on behalf of our clients, including two 3-letter .COMs, both in the 7-figure range, and one dictionary-word .ORG for high 5-figures, just to name a few.
We continue to provide brokerage for ‘the best of the best’ Bitcoin, Ethereum and Blockchain related domains, specifically short, 1Word.COM names.”
Bill Sweetman, Name Ninja (buyer broker):
“Since many of my buy-side clients are startups, I’ve had a few of them approach me looking for crypto-related domains. They, like many first-time domain buyers, seemed surprised to learn that their target domains were going to cost them four- or five-figures. So I had to explain to them that they are probably not the only potential buyers for that “coin” or “block” domain they desire and — hello — crypto is hot right now and getting hotter! Also, while there is a lot of money flooding into the cryptocurrency industry to launch startups, not all of that money is ‘smart money’ and so I’ve seen quite a few crypto startups (but not my clients, of course) make some amateurish and short-sighted domain selection decisions, such as opting for a ‘cheaper’ hand-registered .co or .io when they could have bought their exact match startup or coin name .com for under $2,000.”
Hobi Michalec, Lumis.com:
“I don’t think we’ll see them losing value any time soon.”
Jeff Gabriel, Uniregistry:
“When I started selling domains the trend was .mobi. We know what happened to those. Then online education names, roulette style names and many others took over as the domains in high demand. Token, coin, crypto domains are in the same place. They are hot now, but a new king in town will take their place.”
Mike Robertson, Directnic:
“Having bought and then sold one of the highest selling Bitcoin related domain names for a client, I am very familiar with the space. During the process I marketed the domain to over 100 cryptocurrency companies and individuals, building a very extensive network. This was back in 2014. Three years have passed and that space continues to thrive and grow at a rapid rate. I currently manage over 120K domains and by far the most popular and sought after domains in these portfolios are crypto/coin related. I’m also asked on a regular basis by startups to help acquire domains in this niche. In my opinion, just like the state of the cryptocurrency industry, domain names of this nature will remain popular and valuable.”
Crypto domains are white hot!
They are my most sought after domains right now.
Crypto-related domain names are popular for a reason – it’s a technology that provides new value to the world.
Even the domain name industry’s biggest event NamesCon, stated “blockchain will be a primary content pillar for both NamesCon China and NamesCon Global in Las Vegas” – http://namescon.com/news/rock-around-the-blockchain
Thank you for covering this topic Elliot.
We have only one Cypherium.net please Google “Cypherium” and you’ll know why we own it.
Because another business is building a brand called “Cypherium”? I still don’t understand.
And, it’s a .net. Yech.
What don’t you understand? If they’re blockchain becomes mainstream the coin will be Cypherium.
I don’t understand why you think the .net will have any value, and if it does have value, why they wouldn’t just file a UDRP or Lanham Act lawsuit.
I’m actually very curious why you seem to be so confrontational so often with anyone that doesn’t agree with you? If the coin becomes a commodity how can they file a UDRP? Can Freeport-McMoran file a UDRP on copper.com because of their many trademarks or a Lanham claim for undue competition? As to the Lanham Act we bought the name prior to any trademarks being filed and don’t plan to compete with the developers so please explain how we can be sued under the act.
Copper is a generic term.
Does the word you registered in .net mean anything beyond the crypto currency?
I also dont particularly like it when people promote their own domain names in the comment section. You dont even see me doing that with my names and it is my website!!
What’s the point in owning a brandable .net?
Cypherium.net has absolutely no value.
No one is going to buy Cypherium.net, and you certainly aren’t going to develop Cypherium.net.
Waste of reg fee.
.net is not essential anymore, as long as you own the .com, even some bootstrap startups are ok with .co, and .io, as was stated above is very true.
If you want to be taken seriously .com always helps though.
.net got crushed in 2017
So you wouldn’t want to own
Litecoin.net?
I have absolutely zero interest in anything but .com domain names. That is where I made my money and that is where I invest and reinvest: http://www.topnotchdomains.com/investments.html and http://www.topnotchdomains.com/sales.html
These types of domains (crypto/ blockchain/bitcoin/fintech) are definitely growing in value along with crypto itself.
Personally I have had more activity in the past 3 months than the prior 9 combined.
Lots of new companies forming in the space and many folks with funding or crypto fueled wealth. Exciting times.
Mike
I have some crypto domain names for sell
http://www.BitcoinTradeService.com
http://www.CryptoWibe.com
http://www.CryptoZile.com
Thanks!
I want to add that I don’t own any crypto or coin specific domain names at all and am not looking to buy any (unless something like Coin.com or Crypto.com would come on the market at a great price!).
You should have added some two-word crypto .Com domains.
I had a couple of “crypto currency” related names that I hand registered then sold for over 1k each right after 60 days! Crypto domains are hot!
Crypto names are in the trend. After ETH.com at $2m, I have another one to publish soon in 6 figure, And LTC.com which is good for LiteCoin in the neg process as well.
Keep up the good work, Sharjil.
I have some crypto-related domains for sale at NameSelling.com/name-list.
great news 🙂
Wow Sharjil awesome!!!, what made you think of buying this domain. Any tips.
Hi!
Several months ago you posted regarding bitcoins.
Do you have bitcoins?
Make some money recently Elliot?
Now so expensive.
In the same way I don’t discuss alternative investments like stocks and real estate, I am not going to publicly discuss any cryptocurrency or similar investments. The focus of this website is domain name investing.
I own one single word; “crypto” the extension is ccTLD. Do we have a deal?
Just sold crypto name for mid to high x,xxx – 10 inquiries out and 1 sale .
I have some crypto domain names for sell
http://www.BitcoinTradeService.com
http://www.CryptoWibe.com
http://www.CryptoZile.com
Thanks!
Crypto domains are so damn hot at the moment. I’ve TokenLore.com,ICOmarket.co.uk ICOchain.co.uk, Cryptocoinect.com Cryptogambit.com ICOindustry.co.uk, Bitcoinmarket.global, ICOmarket.co.uk and many more. It’s worth investing on…
crypt+keyword any worth
Nice article.
blockchain and crypo reminds me of a US/Canadian movie – Johnny Mnemonic , a cyberpunk movie where a guy carried very important information in terrabytes (?) in his head , je was paid after the delivery , the actor was Keanu Reeves ( Neo ? :)))
mnemonic is an element to remember password phrases to wallets at at the same time the essence of the blockchain.
its because why i have also the name TheMnemonic()com plus mnemonicoin()com for the future blockchain and its coin :p
i have mainly crypto domains at first page at http://asset.domains
.CO.IN and .IN (INDIA CCTLDS) seem to be popular for crypto and coin related domains.
Much depends on TM’s think those that hold (not unfortunately me) ETH/Ether generic pinyin media channels were smarter than me. Noted as I tried:
Anquan = Security
Crypto Names are hot in the industry now and it’s price is hiking.
I have 400+ crypto names. Goodluck to crypto domainers 😉
This is convo making me feel very #cryptobullish.
I hand registered around 300 crypto, dao, blockchain, coin, token, dapp, ico, hashgraph, btc, xrp, smart contracts, and AI .com domains this year. I was starting to think you guys were leaving them all for me.
I sold one for 3,000 usd privately last month.
I grabbed my best 3 for $8.47 each a few days ago.
#bitish
#btcish
#cryptoish
@NameBias
Yes, I get offers every day for my crypto, ether, eth, BTC domains — most .com and many .org. I also own many of the matching Twitter handles
That’s a bitch ?
I own Cryptodot.com, I really like this name. I already turned down a $2000 offer on Sedo. I think I’ll develop the name
Of the last four months, I hand-registered 825+ all dot com related Bitcoin and BTC related names.
As the previous post asked where was everyone else?
A lot of nights registering in the dark.
I’m almost tempted to sell iBitcoins.com I got at auction in 2014
I own the below, went all in on the Crypto doamins –
DecentralizedCrypto.com
CentralizedCrypto.com
DigitalCashBanking.com
CryptoThreat.com
ETNCrypto.com
ETN.cash
BTGCrypto.com
RPX.cash
ETHfund.net