Crypto.com's Billion-Dollar Bet on AI: A Game-Changer for Marszalek's Ambitious Venture
Kris Marszalek, co-founder and CEO of Crypto.com, has made a massive move into artificial intelligence with the acquisition of AI.com, a domain reportedly purchased for a staggering $70 million. The transaction is considered the largest domain purchase in history, sending shockwaves through the tech industry.
Marszalek's vision for AI.com is to empower users with private, personal AI agents that can operate on their behalf, performing tasks such as sending messages, building projects, trading stocks, and even updating dating profiles. The platform promises a secure environment with robust data encryption using user-specific keys.
According to Marszalek, the company is at a "fundamental shift" in AI's evolution, moving beyond basic chatbots to autonomous agents that can take action on behalf of humans. He envisions a decentralized network of billions of agents self-improving and sharing their advancements with each other, accelerating the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
The launch of AI.com is set for Sunday, following a Super Bowl commercial that has generated significant buzz. Marszalek will oversee both Crypto.com and AI.com as CEO.
While the deal's financial details are not entirely clear, sources close to the matter have confirmed that AI.com was sold for $70 million β a fraction of its original asking price of $100 million in March 2025.
Marszalek's foray into AI comes after building Crypto.com from scratch, which has grown into one of the world's largest crypto exchanges with over 150 million retail users. The company's success story is one of resilience and innovation, having started with a relatively modest valuation of $5-10 million for its domain.
In an interview, Marszalek reflected on his approach to building successful brands: "When we started Crypto.com there were around a thousand different exchanges, and we somehow managed to make it work. We will make this [AI.com] work one way or another." He also pointed out the significance of owning multiple high-profile domains, such as Crypto.com and AI.com.
With its big-budget marketing campaigns and recent deals like rebranding Staples Center to the "Crypto.com Arena," Marszalek's company has established itself as a major player in the crypto space. Now, with AI.com, he's looking to expand his brand into the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
Kris Marszalek, co-founder and CEO of Crypto.com, has made a massive move into artificial intelligence with the acquisition of AI.com, a domain reportedly purchased for a staggering $70 million. The transaction is considered the largest domain purchase in history, sending shockwaves through the tech industry.
Marszalek's vision for AI.com is to empower users with private, personal AI agents that can operate on their behalf, performing tasks such as sending messages, building projects, trading stocks, and even updating dating profiles. The platform promises a secure environment with robust data encryption using user-specific keys.
According to Marszalek, the company is at a "fundamental shift" in AI's evolution, moving beyond basic chatbots to autonomous agents that can take action on behalf of humans. He envisions a decentralized network of billions of agents self-improving and sharing their advancements with each other, accelerating the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
The launch of AI.com is set for Sunday, following a Super Bowl commercial that has generated significant buzz. Marszalek will oversee both Crypto.com and AI.com as CEO.
While the deal's financial details are not entirely clear, sources close to the matter have confirmed that AI.com was sold for $70 million β a fraction of its original asking price of $100 million in March 2025.
Marszalek's foray into AI comes after building Crypto.com from scratch, which has grown into one of the world's largest crypto exchanges with over 150 million retail users. The company's success story is one of resilience and innovation, having started with a relatively modest valuation of $5-10 million for its domain.
In an interview, Marszalek reflected on his approach to building successful brands: "When we started Crypto.com there were around a thousand different exchanges, and we somehow managed to make it work. We will make this [AI.com] work one way or another." He also pointed out the significance of owning multiple high-profile domains, such as Crypto.com and AI.com.
With its big-budget marketing campaigns and recent deals like rebranding Staples Center to the "Crypto.com Arena," Marszalek's company has established itself as a major player in the crypto space. Now, with AI.com, he's looking to expand his brand into the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.