A 10-year impulsive act yields a 70 million times return after 30 years: The man behind the ai.com domain name

Author: Domain Circle

Recently, news of sky-high domain name transactions has taken the world by storm—ai.com sold for an astonishing $70 million, drawing intense attention from the tech and investment communities.

What’s truly shocking isn’t just the price itself, but the 30-year wait behind this investment and a return of up to 700,000 times. Major global media outlets are racing to cover this legendary domain name deal.

Buyer Identity: The “Top Domain” Obsession of a Crypto Tycoon

The buyer’s identity has long been revealed—Kris, founder of the well-known crypto trading platform Crypto.com. This wealthy entrepreneur has always favored premium domain names, having made large acquisitions of high-value domains like Crypto.com.

Now, at a time when artificial intelligence is the global tech focus, Kris has once again made a move, acquiring the “crown domain” in the AI field. This not only demonstrates his business vision but also hints at possible major AI initiatives by Crypto.com.

Mysterious Seller Revealed: A Malaysian’s 30-Year Dedication

While the buyer’s identity has been disclosed, the seller remained a mystery—until recent rumors surfaced online.

It is said that the seller is a Malaysian named Arsyan Ismail. Astonishingly, he registered this domain in 1993 at just 10 years old, with a registration cost of only $100. His simple and pure reason for buying it back then was that “AI” was the abbreviation of his name.

From an innocent act by a child to becoming a millionaire after 30 years, this story is nothing short of legendary.

700,000 Times Return: A Miracle in Domain Investment History

From $100 to $70 million, this investment achieved a 700,000-fold return, with an astonishing annualized rate of return.

Let’s compare: if that $100 had been invested in the S&P 500 index at the time, it would be worth about $2,000 today; if invested in Apple stock, it would be roughly $150,000. But the return on ai.com far surpasses all these traditional investments.

Is this the most successful individual single investment in history? In terms of multiple returns, it’s undoubtedly a milestone that’s hard to beat in the domain investment field.

Why is ai.com so valuable?

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

2. Significance: AI (Artificial Intelligence) is currently the hottest tech field worldwide

3. Brand Potential: Such a domain can directly become a company’s brand without extra explanation

4. Scarcity: There are only 676 two-letter .com domains in total, all of which have long been snapped up

In today’s AI wave sweeping the globe, the value of ai.com is self-evident. It’s not just a URL but a symbol of an era.

Domain Investment: An Underestimated Asset Class?

This deal has once again sparked renewed interest in domain investing. Looking back at history, many high-priced domain transactions are impressive:

Voice.com: $30 million (2019)

360.com: $17 million (2015)

NFT.com: $15 million (2022)

Meta.com: suspected to be worth tens of millions of dollars (2021)

Compared to many volatile investments, premium domains possess scarcity, practicality, and brand value, making them attractive choices for savvy long-term investors.

Postscript: The Perfect Blend of Opportunity and Vision

Arsyan Ismail’s story is inspiring: a 10-year-old’s accidental act, combined with 30 years of perseverance, ultimately yielded incredible returns. There’s an element of luck, but more importantly, confidence and patience in the long-term value of digital assets.

As the AI wave arrives, Kris’s purchase of this domain for $70 million also demonstrates his sharp business acumen. In this heated AI race, a top-tier domain can mean a significant advantage in brand recognition.

This deal is destined to become a classic case in investment history—it tells not only a wealth story but also a story of foresight, patience, and opportunity in the era.