The British Overseas Territory of Anguilla has become an unexpected winner in the AI boom thanks to its “.ai” domain. Assigned in the mid-1990s by ICANN, the domain has skyrocketed in popularity since ChatGPT launched in late 2022, attracting websites and startups looking to associate with AI.
In 2023, “.ai” domain sales generated EC$87 million ($32 million), about 22% of Anguilla’s government revenue. As of January 2026, registrations have surpassed 1 million, and the territory’s 2026 budget projects EC$260.5 million ($96.4 million) in revenue from goods and services, largely fueled by domains. Analysts estimate that over $70 million of that comes from “.ai” registrations alone.
Registrations cost $140 for two years, with roughly 90% of domains renewed, providing a steady revenue stream. High-value auctions for expired domains also generate major sums; for example, “you.ai” sold for $700,000 last September, and 31 expired domains recently fetched around $1.2 million. For a population of roughly 15,000, Anguilla has turned its digital real estate into a highly lucrative source of income.
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