In a twist of digital fortune, the tiny British Overseas Territory of Anguilla has reaped over $70 million in revenue from .ai domain registrations in the past year, as registrations surged past one million active sites. Data from Sherwood News highlights the milestone hit on January 2, 2026, according to Domain Name Stat, transforming a mid-1990s ICANN assignment into a fiscal powerhouse for the island of roughly 15,000 residents.

The boom traces back to late 2022, when ChatGPT’s launch ignited global AI fervor, propelling .ai registrations from 354,000 in 2023 to exceed one million by early 2026. Anguilla charges $140 for two-year registrations, with 90% renewal rates ensuring steady income, as noted in the territory’s 2026 budget address by Premier Cora Richardson Hodge: “Revenue from domain name registration continues to exceed expectations.”

From Obscurity to AI Powerhouse

Originally a country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Anguilla, .ai languished with just 48,000 registrations in 2018. By September 2025, numbers approached 880,000, per Hogan Lovells, generating $62 million in the first three quarters alone. In 2023, domain sales yielded 87 million East Caribbean dollars ($32 million), 22% of total government revenue, according to Semafor and IMF reports cited across outlets.

Growth accelerated dramatically post-ChatGPT: 50% in 2022, 230% in 2023, and 300% in 2024, as detailed by Domain Name Stat in various analyses. October 2025 saw over 10,000 new domains registered in a week, fetching $1.8 million, with year-to-date totals hitting $70.15 million by late 2025, reported by Anguilla Focus.

Minister of Infrastructure Jose Vanterpool noted in November 2025 that .ai revenue share jumped from under 1% pre-AI boom to around 47% by 2025, funding debt reduction, airport expansion, and hurricane-resilient infrastructure, per BBC News.

Revenue Mechanics and Premium Sales

Standard fees underpin the model, but auctions of expired domains amplify gains. HubSpot co-founder Dharmesh Shah paid $700,000 for a premium .ai domain, as covered by Business Insider. Recent sales included 31 expired domains for $1.2 million in one week, via NameBio data in Sherwood News. Identity Digital, managing operations since January 2025, takes about 10% cut, enhancing global server resilience against hurricanes.

2024 revenues reached $39 million (105.5 million East Caribbean dollars), 23% of total, exceeding forecasts by $15 million, with projections of $48.8 million for 2025 and $51 million for 2026, according to 0ptions and government drafts cited in Anguilla Focus.

Premier Hodge celebrated the one-million milestone: “This milestone is about far more than domain registrations. Reaching one million domains is both a celebration of global innovation and a testament to Anguilla’s forward-looking stewardship,” per The Daily Herald.

Strategic Partnerships and Economic Diversification

Anguilla’s pivot to Identity Digital bolstered infrastructure, moving hosting to secure global facilities. Earlier, revenues financed free senior healthcare, vocational training, and renewable energy, as Premier Ellis Webster outlined in Hogan Lovells. Tourism, at 37% of GDP per IMF, faces hurricane risks, making .ai a vital buffer.

From 40,000 domains in 2020 to 859,000 by August 2025, per Domain Name Stat in Business Insider, the surge reflects 28% of new tech startups opting for .ai, Identity Digital analysis via Domaintechnik. Namecheap reported 60% year-over-year growth in 2025, positioning .ai among fastest-rising TLDs.

Yet caution emerges: Shah predicts tapering interest, favoring .com long-term. Governments forecast stabilization at 15% of revenue, emphasizing prudent reinvestment amid volatility.

Global Echoes and Future Outlook

Anguilla’s windfall mirrors Tuvalu’s .tv success, but with sharper AI ties. UK officials welcomed the innovation for self-sufficiency, per BBC. As 2025 renewals from 2023 registrations hit—90% rate intact—revenues could double prior peaks, though diversification remains key against AI hype cycles.

By January 2026, over one million .ai sites underscore how a serendipitous code became Anguilla’s economic anchor, fueling infrastructure while spotlighting digital assets’ geopolitical weight.