Crypto.com CEO’s $70 Million Acquisition of AI.com Sets New Record Ahead of Super Bowl Launch
In a groundbreaking move that underscores the escalating value of digital assets, Kris Marszalek, co-founder and CEO of Crypto.com, has acquired the domain AI.com for a staggering $70 million. This transaction, completed entirely in cryptocurrency, marks the highest publicly disclosed domain sale to date, surpassing previous records such as the $49.7 million sale of CarInsurance.com in 2010 and the $30 million purchase of Voice.com in 2019.
Strategic Acquisition and Vision
Marszalek finalized the purchase in April 2025, acquiring the domain from seller Arsyan Ismail. The deal was brokered by Larry Fischer, who emphasized the rarity and irreplaceable nature of such a premium digital asset. With assets like AI.com, there are no substitutes, Fischer noted. When one becomes available, the opportunity may never present itself again.
The acquisition aligns with Marszalek’s strategic vision to position himself at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution. He plans to launch a consumer-focused AI platform under the AI.com brand, with its debut set to coincide with a Super Bowl LX commercial on February 8, 2026. This high-profile launch aims to introduce AI.com to a vast audience, leveraging the Super Bowl’s massive viewership to maximize exposure.
Introducing AI.com: A Consumer AI Platform
AI.com is designed to offer users the ability to create personal AI agents capable of performing a variety of tasks. These agents can send messages, manage workflows, execute actions across applications, trade stocks, and build projects. Emphasizing user privacy and security, the platform ensures that all user data is encrypted with individual keys, granting users full control over their information.
We are at a fundamental shift in AI’s evolution as we rapidly move beyond basic chats to AI agents actually getting things done for humans, Marszalek stated. Our vision is a decentralized network of billions of agents who self-improve and share these improvements with each other, vastly and rapidly expanding agentic capabilities and accelerating the advent of AGI.
A History of Bold Investments
This acquisition is consistent with Marszalek’s history of making significant investments in category-defining brands. Crypto.com, originally launched as Monaco in 2016, rebranded after acquiring its namesake domain for an estimated $5 to $10 million. The company later secured a $700 million deal to rename the Staples Center in Los Angeles to Crypto.com Arena and invested $100 million in a high-profile advertising campaign featuring actor Matt Damon.
Market Implications and Future Prospects
The $70 million purchase of AI.com not only sets a new benchmark in the domain market but also highlights the increasing convergence of cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence sectors. By integrating AI capabilities with blockchain technology, Marszalek aims to create a platform that offers innovative solutions to consumers, potentially reshaping how individuals interact with AI in their daily lives.
As AI.com prepares for its Super Bowl debut, the tech industry and consumers alike are keenly watching to see how this ambitious venture unfolds. The success of AI.com could signal a new era in the commercialization and mainstream adoption of AI technologies, further blurring the lines between digital assets and consumer applications.
