Anguilla’s .ai Domain Boom Yields $39M Revenue in 2024

Authors: Zane Howard

Publisher:

WebProNews

Published: 9/1/2025

Language:English

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Tom Banks

Good morning 跑了松鼠好嘛, I'm Tom Banks, and this is Goose Pod for you. Today is Wednesday, September 03th.

Mask

And I'm Mask. We are here to discuss Anguilla’s .ai Domain Boom, which is on track to yield $39 million in revenue this year.

Tom Banks

Let's get started. It’s an incredible story. The tiny Caribbean territory of Anguilla, home to just 15,000 people, has struck digital gold. That $39 million figure represents nearly a quarter of its total revenue, rivaling what they make from tourism.

Mask

I wouldn't call it striking gold, I'd call it recognizing the future. This isn't luck; it's the inevitable collision of a surging AI industry and scarce digital real estate. High-profile deals, like HubSpot’s co-founder paying $700,000 for a single domain, prove its immense strategic value.

Tom Banks

That’s an astounding number for a web address. It really puts into perspective the scale of this boom. The man who's been overseeing this since 1995, Vince Cate, has suddenly become one of the most important financial figures in the country, managing this huge influx of cash.

Mask

It's pure exponential growth. They went from under 50,000 domains in 2020 to a projected 850,000 by next year. This isn't a windfall; it’s a case study in how legacy internet infrastructure can be weaponized into a multi-million dollar asset in the new economy.

Tom Banks

To understand how this happened, we have to go back to 1995. The internet's governing bodies assigned every country a two-letter code, a "country code top-level domain." Anguilla was randomly given ".ai." For decades, it was just letters. Now, it's a globally recognized brand for innovation.

Mask

The truly pivotal move wasn't the assignment, it was Anguilla lifting registration restrictions in 2009. That decision opened the domain to the world. It stopped being about a place and started being about an idea: Artificial Intelligence. Even Google now treats .ai as a generic domain, like .com.

Tom Banks

And the growth since then has been staggering, but the real explosion came after the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022. That event seems to have been the catalyst that turned this steady stream of income into an absolute tidal wave, jumping from $2.9 million in 2018 to over $32 million by 2023.

Mask

Of course. When a paradigm shift happens, the symbols of that shift become incredibly valuable. Every startup and tech giant, from Google to Microsoft, wants a .ai address to signal they are part of the future. It’s the simplest and most direct way to brand yourself as a player in the AI space.

Tom Banks

And it seems they're managing it wisely. They’ve partnered with a U.S. firm, Identity Digital, to handle the technical infrastructure. It’s a smart move to ensure the system is stable and can handle the massive demand, protecting their newfound golden goose from any technical hiccups.

Tom Banks

But this kind of rapid growth can't be without its challenges. With domain names selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars, there must be a huge issue with domain squatting—people buying up names hoping to sell them later for a massive profit, without adding any real value.

Mask

Domain squatting is just a market friction, a cost of doing business in an open system. The more significant threat is competition and relevance. For years, ".io" was the cool domain for tech startups. Now it's ".ai." Tastes can change. Anguilla is riding a trend wave, and all waves eventually break.

Tom Banks

That raises a critical point about sustainability. Is there a debate on the island about how to invest this money? A sudden windfall can be a blessing or a curse. There's a real risk of becoming over-reliant on this single, somewhat volatile, source of income. What’s the plan for diversification?

Mask

That's the core conflict. The greatest danger is complacency. They are, as one writer put it, profiting passively without building a single algorithm. This money shouldn't be treated as a permanent revenue stream. It should be seen as massive seed capital to build a truly diversified, resilient economy for the future.

Tom Banks

For now, though, the immediate impact on the lives of Anguillans is profoundly positive. We're talking about a government that was able to completely abolish residential property taxes. That’s a direct, tangible benefit for every single resident, funded by this digital boom.

Mask

That's a great populist move, but it's not a forward-thinking economic strategy. The real impact is that Anguilla is now on the global map for something other than pristine beaches. This is a branding halo effect they must leverage to attract investment in technology, education, and infrastructure.

Tom Banks

It is truly a remarkable outcome from a simple bureaucratic assignment nearly three decades ago. It shows how the digital world can create value in the most unexpected ways, turning a two-letter code into a national asset that funds public services and changes thousands of lives.

Tom Banks

And looking ahead, the trend seems set to continue, at least for a little while. Projections suggest the revenue could continue to climb, with some estimates topping $100 million in 2025. The AI revolution is still in its early stages, so the demand for these domains will likely remain strong.

Mask

Demand will remain strong until it doesn't. The market will eventually saturate, or the next big thing will emerge with a new, trendier domain. The lesson here is not just for Anguilla, but for every nation: audit your digital assets. You might be sitting on the next .ai.

Tom Banks

That's the end of today's discussion. Thank you for listening to Goose Pod, 跑了松鼠好嘛.

Mask

We will see you tomorrow.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided news article about Anguilla's .ai domain boom: ## Anguilla's .ai Domain Boom Yields Significant Revenue Windfall **News Title:** Anguilla’s .ai Domain Boom Yields $39M Revenue in 2024 **Report Provider:** WebProNews **Author:** Zane Howard **Date/Time Period Covered:** Primarily focuses on 2024 revenue, with projections for 2025-2026 and historical data from 2020 and 2023. ### Key Findings and Conclusions Anguilla, a small British overseas territory, has unexpectedly become a significant player in the artificial intelligence (AI) economy due to its top-level internet domain, **.ai**. This domain, assigned randomly in the 1990s, has become highly sought after by AI startups and tech firms globally, generating substantial revenue for the island's 15,000 residents. This "AI-powered boost" is dramatically altering Anguilla's fiscal landscape, rivaling its traditional tourism industry. ### Key Statistics and Metrics * **2024 Revenue:** Anguilla's government earned approximately **$39 million** from .ai registrations in 2024. * **Revenue Contribution:** This $39 million represents nearly **a quarter (25%)** of Anguilla's total revenue for 2024. * **Tourism Comparison:** Tourism accounts for about **37% of GDP** (per IMF estimates), highlighting the .ai domain's growing economic significance. * **Projected Revenue Growth:** The IMF projects revenues to climb to **132 million Eastern Caribbean dollars in 2025** and **138 million in 2026**. * **Domain Growth:** The number of .ai domains has surged from fewer than **50,000 in 2020** to over **850,000 by 2025**. * **Premium Domain Sales:** * Dharmesh Shah (co-founder of HubSpot) paid **$700,000** for a premium .ai domain. * Other notable sales include **you.ai for $700,000** and **cloud.ai for $600,000**. * **Annual Revenue (Estimated):** Revenues from .ai domains are estimated to exceed **$100 million annually**. * **2023 Revenue:** A New York Times report from March 2024 indicated **$32 million in 2023**, which was over **10% of GDP**. * **Per-Resident Earnings:** Insights from X posts suggest per-resident earnings equivalent to **$6,200 yearly**. * **Standard Registration Fee:** Standard two-year .ai registrations cost around **$240**, with resellers taking a **20% cut**. * **Projected Revenue Increase (2024):** Projections from Firstpost suggest a **15% revenue increase in 2024 alone**. ### Significant Trends or Changes * **Shift in Economic Power:** The .ai domain has emerged as a powerful new economic driver, challenging the dominance of tourism. * **Global AI Frenzy Impact:** The global surge in AI adoption has directly fueled the demand and value of .ai domains. * **Opportunistic Economics:** Anguilla's success demonstrates how legacy internet infrastructure can be leveraged for significant modern financial gains. ### Notable Risks or Concerns * **Potential Domain Squatting:** The high value of .ai domains could lead to issues with domain squatting. * **Sustainable Investment:** Ensuring the windfall translates into long-term benefits requires prudent management and sustainable investment. * **Overreliance on Tech Trends:** There's a risk of becoming overly dependent on fleeting tech trends. * **Market Saturation:** While demand is high, not all .ai domains will command premium prices, and competition from alternatives like .io persists. ### Material Financial Data * **2024 Government Revenue from .ai:** $39 million * **Projected 2025 Eastern Caribbean Dollars:** 132 million * **Projected 2026 Eastern Caribbean Dollars:** 138 million * **Estimated Annual .ai Revenue:** Exceeds $100 million * **2023 Revenue:** $32 million ### Management and Governance * **Domain Registry Oversight:** Vince Cate, an American expat, has managed Anguilla's domain registry since 1995, overseeing auctions and renewals. * **Revenue Allocation:** Anguilla's government is channeling funds into **infrastructure, education, and disaster resilience**, particularly important after Hurricane Irma in 2017. ### Future Prospects The demand for .ai domains is expected to continue as AI adoption accelerates. Anguilla's experience offers valuable lessons for other nations regarding the potential of their domain assets. However, sustained success hinges on prudent management to ensure long-term benefits for its residents.

Read original at WebProNews →

In the sun-drenched Caribbean, where turquoise waters meet pristine beaches, the tiny British overseas territory of Anguilla has quietly transformed into an unlikely powerhouse in the artificial intelligence economy. This shift stems not from silicon chips or data centers, but from a fortuitous two-letter code: .

ai, the country’s top-level internet domain. Assigned randomly in the 1990s by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, .ai has become a coveted asset amid the global AI frenzy, generating millions in revenue for the island’s 15,000 residents. Recent headlines spotlight this phenomenon through high-profile transactions.

Tech entrepreneur Dharmesh Shah, co-founder of marketing software giant HubSpot, recently shelled out $700,000 to secure a premium .ai domain. As detailed in a report from Business Insider, Shah’s payment underscores the escalating value of these digital addresses, with Anguilla reaping substantial fees from registrations and sales.

This isn’t an isolated case; domains like you.ai fetched $700,000 and cloud.ai went for $600,000, according to posts on X highlighting premium deals. The Economic Windfall from Digital Domains Anguilla’s domain bonanza has dramatically altered its fiscal profile. In 2024, the government earned approximately $39 million from .

ai registrations, representing nearly a quarter of its total revenue, as noted in a Rio Times article. This surge rivals tourism, the island’s traditional economic pillar, which accounts for about 37% of GDP per International Monetary Fund estimates. The IMF’s own analysis, published in May 2024, describes this as an “AI-powered boost,” projecting continued growth with revenues climbing to 132 million Eastern Caribbean dollars in 2025 and 138 million in 2026.

The numbers are staggering for such a small territory. From fewer than 50,000 .ai domains in 2020, the count has exploded to over 850,000 by 2025, fueled by AI startups and tech firms eager for branding that screams innovation. A New York Times feature from March 2024 captured the early momentum, reporting $32 million in 2023—over 10% of GDP—while a recent BBC News piece updated that Anguilla is “earning a fortune” from tech firms snapping up these addresses.

Behind the Scenes: Governance and Global Ties Managing this windfall falls to Vince Cate, an American expat who has overseen Anguilla’s domain registry since 1995. Cate’s role involves auctioning premium domains and handling renewals, with standard two-year registrations costing around $240, plus a 20% cut for resellers.

As explored in depth by Meristation in July 2025, this setup has turned .ai into a “digital goldmine,” with revenues exceeding $100 million annually. Yet, challenges loom, including potential domain squatting and the need for sustainable investment. Anguilla’s government, under British sovereignty but with significant self-governance, is channeling funds into infrastructure, education, and disaster resilience—crucial after hurricanes like Irma in 2017.

Insights from X posts, such as those from users noting per-resident earnings equivalent to $6,200 yearly, reflect public sentiment on this boon. A Medium article by Sheev Charan in June 2025 mused on the irony: a nation of 15,000 profiting passively from AI without building a single algorithm. Future Prospects and Industry Implications As AI adoption accelerates, demand for .

ai domains shows no signs of abating. Projections from Firstpost suggest a 15% revenue increase in 2024 alone, with tech giants and startups alike vying for prime real estate. However, experts warn of market saturation; not every .ai will command premium prices, and competition from alternatives like .

io persists. For industry insiders, Anguilla’s story offers lessons in opportunistic economics. It highlights how legacy internet infrastructure can yield modern fortunes, prompting other nations to reassess their domain assets. As one X post quipped, it’s “God smiling down” on the island—a sentiment echoed in a NewsBytes report.

Yet, sustaining this requires prudent management, ensuring the AI boom benefits Anguillans long-term without overreliance on fleeting tech trends.