January 29, 2025

By Richard Lau (Owner, Hockey.com) 

As an early user of the recently launched Doma Protocol, I’ve witnessed firsthand how blockchain technology is revolutionizing the domain name industry. Today, I want to share my experience with tokenizing Hockey.com and why I believe DomainFi represents the future of digital asset ownership.

Limitations of Traditional Domain Markets

For years, I’ve owned Hockey.com, sitting on what many would consider prime digital real estate. The numbers speak for themselves: hockey boasts over 600 million fans globally, with the NHL generating more than $6 billion in annual revenue. Over 1,000 active brands operate in the hockey space. Yet, despite this massive market potential, I faced a common challenge among premium domain owners – limited options for accessing capital or extracting value while maintaining ownership rights.

The traditional domain market operates much like real estate did before the advent of REITs – it’s illiquid, requires large capital outlays, and offers few options for partial ownership or financing. When I looked to develop Hockey.com into a commercial platform, I found myself at a crossroads: either sell the domain outright or continue holding it without the capital needed for development.

Discovering Doma

When I first learned about Doma, I immediately recognized its potential to solve these long-standing challenges. The platform offers two innovative approaches that particularly caught my attention:

  1. Fractional Ownership Through Smart Auctions

The protocol’s auction mechanism allows me to gradually release ownership stakes while maintaining significant control over the asset. Here’s what makes this approach revolutionary:

  • I can auction off small ownership tranches (5% daily)
  • New auction proceeds flow back to existing holders as rewards
  • The structure allows for strategic buyers to eventually consolidate ownership
  • I can raise necessary development capital ($5M target) while keeping a significant stake
  1. On-Chain Lending Innovation

Even more intriguing is the protocol’s lending framework. Instead of traditional financing routes, I now have access to:

  • Multiple simultaneous loan offers at various LTV ratios
  • Flexible interest payment structures
  • Programmatic escrow for security
  • Instant capital access without complex paperwork

My Vision for Hockey.com

With access to DomainFi tools, I can now pursue my vision for Hockey.com’s development:

Short-term Goals:

  • Build a comprehensive sports betting platform
  • Develop partnerships with major hockey brands
  • Create a fantasy sports application
  • Launch a dedicated hockey media platform

Long-term Vision:

  • Establish Hockey.com as the digital hub for global hockey fans
  • Integrate Web3 features for fan engagement
  • Create new revenue streams through digital asset ownership
  • Build a community-driven content ecosystem

Why This Matters for Domain Owners

My experience with Hockey.com is just one example of what’s possible with DomainFi. The implications for domain owners are profound:

  1. Value Extraction: We can now access capital without surrendering full ownership
  2. Development Potential: The ability to raise funds for domain development while maintaining control
  3. Market Efficiency: Transparent pricing and instant settlement of transactions
  4. Risk Management: Multiple options for managing domain assets as part of a larger portfolio

Future of Digital Asset Ownership

As one of the first domain owners to embrace DomainFi, I’m convinced we’re at the beginning of a major shift in how digital assets are owned and traded. Just as you can buy shares in traditional companies, soon anyone will be able to invest in premium domains through the Doma protocol.

The parallels to traditional financial markets are striking. Before REITs, real estate investment was limited to those who could afford entire properties. Similarly, DomainFi is democratizing access to premium digital real estate while providing owners like myself with new tools for value creation.

For investors, this represents a unique opportunity to gain exposure to premium digital real estate in a way that wasn’t possible before. The future of domain ownership is being reimagined, and I’m proud to be part of this transformation.

 

Richard L. is a veteran domain investor and early adopter of the Doma Protocol. His tokenization of Hockey.com represents one of the first premium domains to embrace DomainFi.