Ready to unleash the future of the internet with DomainFi? Learn More
Ready to unleash the future of the internet with DomainFi? Learn More
Blog
By Fred Hsu (CEO & Co-Founder, D3)
As 2024 draws to a close, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on the key developments that shaped the domain industry this year and look ahead to the trends set to define 2025. From unexpected surprises to long-anticipated transformations, this year has been nothing short of dynamic.
One of the major highlights of the year was the sustained explosion of .AI domains. It’s fascinating how domain name acquisitions often mirror market trends, almost like a thermometer measuring what’s hot. This year, artificial intelligence took center stage, and .AI domains became a prized asset for everyone—from scrappy startups to tech giants—eager to demonstrate their relevance in the AI boom.
The frenzy to secure .AI domains underscored how integral domains are as digital real estate. They’re not just an address; they’re a statement of identity and intent. The .AI surge vividly illustrated this dynamic, showing how quickly the domain market responds to innovation and shifts in global priorities.
Looking ahead, 2025 holds even more promise. What excites me most is the inevitable convergence of Web2 and Web3. With the incoming US Presidential administration’s crypto-friendly policies and cryptocurrencies reaching new heights, there’s a global buzz about how blockchain technology could reshape the domain industry—we call this DomainFi. We’re so excited about what DomainFi means for our industry that we’re hosting an entire conference called Dominion dedicated to exploring DomainFi on Jan 29-30 in Las Vegas (immediately following the ICA Member Meeting)!
We’ve got an all-star lineup of industry leaders confirmed to speak so RSVP now before early bird pricing expires (hint: message me for a special VIP discount!):
The opportunities here are immense. First, there’s the potential to unlock new value from existing domain portfolios, which remain an underutilized goldmine. Second, ICANN’s upcoming application round of new gTLDs promises to inject fresh energy into the space including real domains for Web3 communities that will actually work on the internet. By embracing blockchain and tokenization alongside DNS interoperability standards, DomainFi will revolutionize how existing and future domains are bought, sold, and managed, transforming them into digital assets with more value than ever before.
Domains were the original NFTs, even if we didn’t call them that at the time. With advancements in blockchain and authoritative tokenization, we now have the tools to modernize and drive innovation for the domain industry. This means unlocking the full potential of domains as real-world assets that can drive business opportunities, technical innovation, and overall value creation.
(D3 Team – 2024 Holiday Dinner)
As we close out 2024, I want to wish everyone a joyful holiday season and an exciting year ahead. The possibilities for 2025 are endless, and I can’t wait to continue building this future alongside all of you. Here’s to making domains work harder, smarter, and better for the Internet we’re creating together!