Crypto.com has made headlines with a bold move that is reshaping conversations at the intersection of technology, branding, and artificial intelligence. Kris Marszalek bought AI by acquiring the coveted AI.com domain for approximately $70 million, making it the most expensive publicly disclosed domain purchase to date. The deal eclipses all previous records in the domain market, underlining the growing value of premium digital real estate in an AI-driven economy.
The acquisition was completed entirely using cryptocurrency, reinforcing Crypto.com’s commitment to blockchain-native transactions. AI.com had long been regarded as one of the most valuable unclaimed domains on the internet, frequently redirecting to major AI platforms over the years. Its sale marks a rare moment when one of the internet’s most recognizable two-letter domains changed ownership, immediately drawing global attention from the tech and investment communities.
This move is consistent with Crypto.com’s history of high-profile branding investments, including major naming-rights deals and global advertising campaigns. With AI.com now under its control, the company is positioning itself at the center of the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence narrative.
Super Bowl Launch and AI Platform Vision
The timing of the purchase is no coincidence. Crypto.com plans to debut AI.com during Super Bowl LX, leveraging one of the world’s largest advertising stages to introduce a new consumer-facing AI platform. The Super Bowl launch signals an ambition to reach beyond crypto-native users and tap into a mainstream audience increasingly curious about practical AI applications.
According to company statements, AI.com will serve as the home for a suite of advanced AI agents designed to act on users’ behalf. These agents are expected to handle tasks such as managing communications, interacting with applications, organizing schedules, and even executing financial transactions. Kris Marszalek bought AI.com for a record-breaking $70 million to provide the foundation for this vision. The goal is to move past traditional chatbot experiences toward autonomous digital assistants capable of operating across multiple platforms with minimal user input.
Marszalek has described artificial intelligence as a foundational technology that will define the next decade, placing the Crypto.com AI.com acquisition initiative at the core of Crypto.com’s long-term strategy. By combining AI tools with Crypto.com’s existing infrastructure, the company aims to create an ecosystem where intelligent agents and digital finance coexist seamlessly.
Industry Impact and Market Reactions
The scale of the AI.com acquisition has sparked intense debate across the tech and financial sectors. Supporters see the purchase as a visionary play that secures an unmatched branding advantage at a time when artificial intelligence is entering everyday life. Critics, however, question whether any domain name can justify such a steep price without a breakthrough product to support it.
Beyond branding, the deal highlights a broader convergence between artificial intelligence and crypto-backed enterprises. As AI platforms become more autonomous and data-driven, blockchain-based systems offer potential solutions for security, ownership, and transparency — areas where traditional AI models face growing scrutiny.
As AI.com prepares for its high-profile debut, industry observers will be closely watching whether Kris Marszalek bought AI translates into meaningful adoption or remains a landmark moment in digital branding history. Regardless of the outcome, the acquisition has already cemented AI.com as one of the most significant domain deals ever — and a bold signal of where the future of tech branding may be headed.
Sources: https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/08/crypto-com-places-70m-bet-on-ai-com-domain-ahead-of-super-bowl/
