Thoughts

Andrew Miller

June 8, 2025

All In Due Time

I regularly preach the importance of patience, and often say “it’s not if but when” a domain will transact. This week, we will complete a win-win DEAL between 2 large brands that has been over 12 months in the making, delayed by uncontrollable circumstances. I am happy for both sides that this deal is finally getting over the finish line. I am in the midst of two other exact match domain transactions, in both cases working with respected peers, that are also requiring perseverance. It is important to know the difference between when to be patient and when the time is right to walk away, such a core component of any negotiation, for anything in life. I am not a Kenny Rogers fan but the song and line from the Gambler (“you gotta know when to hold’em, know when to fold’em, know when to walk away, know when to run”) does ring true in deal making.

Is The .AI TLD Here To Stay?

It has always been my position that there is .com and everything else, and that secondary TLDs usually fizzle out and it always comes back to .com. I have seen trends surge, creating demand for a new TLD, only to bow down in time to .com. Today, that TLD is .AI. In order to be successful in any area, it is important to have an open mind and anticipate change or opportunity. I am continuing to assess whether I believe .AI is different. It is not debatable that AI itself is arguably the most important technology innovation of our lifetime. What I am trying to decide is if .ai will become long term mainstream for these new businesses or, will it be an on-ramp to .com. One test is the potential sale of AI*com, which will likely be record breaking. Another, is the actual experiences we are seeing as advisors, closing several significant .ai transactions but also upgrading many emerging growth companies from .ai to .com. This week, we at Hilco Digital Assets and larry fischer, began an engagement to oversee the sale of Ai*Ai. I thought hard about this one for many reasons. It is a rare two letter domain, which we know much about from having had so much success in the past and from currently representing some of the Internet’s most valuable .com domains like ID*com, OC*com and RL*com. No, it is not a 2 letter com, but it is one of 676 2 letter .ai, it is the category defining letters on each side, and if deployed properly by the right company, is absolutely unforgettable as a brand and address. I am certain there will be posts and comments on both sides of this but I am confident there is a visionary out there who will understand the potential power that this could bring a business.

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