Anguilla’s country‑code top‑level domain .ai has surpassed one million active registrations, delivering roughly US $70 million in fees over the past year. The revenue accounts for nearly half of the island’s annual budget, making the domain a critical fiscal pillar for the Caribbean territory.
From Obscurity to Digital Gold Rush
The .ai suffix was allocated to Anguilla in the mid‑1990s but remained a niche address space for years. Registrations grew from about 48 000 in 2018 to 354 000 by the end of 2023, then accelerated after the launch of ChatGPT, reaching 880 000 by September 2025 and crossing the one‑million mark shortly thereafter.
Revenue Model and Collection
Anguilla charges US $140 for a two‑year .ai registration and enjoys a 90 % renewal rate, creating a stable cash flow. Premium sales and auctions of expired names add occasional high‑value transactions, such as a six‑figure purchase of a sought‑after .ai domain in 2025. The registry operator retains roughly 10 % of each transaction, while the remaining fees flow directly to the government.
Key Revenue Figures
- Annual fee per registration: US $140 (two‑year term)
- Renewal rate: 90 %
- Total revenue from .ai in the last year: US $70 million
- Share of government revenue: about 47 %
Fiscal Impact on Anguilla
With a population of roughly 15 000, Anguilla’s annual budget is modest. The $70 million from .ai registrations covers about a quarter of the territory’s expenditures and funds public projects such as airport expansion, hurricane‑resilient infrastructure, and debt reduction. Premier Cora Richardson Hodge emphasizes that the domain revenue continues to exceed expectations.
Balancing Growth and Diversification
While the .ai windfall has transformed the fiscal landscape, officials recognize the risk of relying on a single revenue source. The government is exploring diversification strategies to safeguard the economy against potential declines in AI‑related branding demand.
Implications for the Domain Industry
Anguilla’s experience demonstrates how a well‑matched ccTLD can become a “digital gold rush” when it aligns with emerging technology trends. High renewal rates and premium domain sales suggest a maturing ecosystem rather than a short‑lived hype, offering a model for other technology‑focused TLDs.
Future Outlook
More than one million .ai websites are now active, and the domain’s popularity is expected to continue as AI applications expand across sectors. Anguilla aims to leverage the current windfall while building a diversified economic base to ensure long‑term fiscal stability.
