Chat.com Is One of the Oldest Domains on the Internet. Its New Owner Is None Other Than OpenAI

  • OpenAI has acquired the iconic domain, which was registered in 1996.

  • The AI company paid more than $15.5 million, but the transaction was completed in shares rather than cash.

November 7, 2024, 10:40 ET

Enrique Pérez

Writer

Consumer tech and information society editor. Despite my studies in Physics, I've been writing about tech, image and sound, digital economy, legislation and data protection for over ten years. Interested in projects that aim to improve society and democratize access to technology. LinkedIn

On Wednesday, OpenAI announced the acquisition of the domain Chat.com. From now on, users who access this address will be directed to ChatGPT. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared the news himself on his X account. However, the acquisition didn’t come cheap.

One of the first domains registered on the Internet. Chat.com was first registered back in 1996, making it a highly desirable domain due to its simplicity and relevance to a tool closely associated with the web.

Before OpenAI’s acquisition, the domain was sold in 2023 to Dharmesh Shah, co-founder of HubSpot, for $15.5 million.

One of the world’s most expensive domains. The price Shah paid in 2023 makes Chat.com one of the most expensive domains in history.

Below is a list of the most valuable domain names ever sold, with known prices:

  • Voice.com: $30 million (2019)
  • 360.com: $17 million (2015)
  • Chat.com: $15.5 million (2023)
  • NFTs.com: $15 million (2022)
  • Rocket.com: $14 million (2024)
  • Sex.com: $13 million (2010)
  • AI.com: $11 million (2023)
  • Tesla.com: $11 million (2014)
  • Hotels.com: $11 million (2001)
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The acquisition took place in March. In March, Shah announced that he had sold the domain just two months after purchasing it. While he initially didn’t disclose the buyer, he later confirmed that the sale price exceeded the $15.5 million he originally paid. Following Altman’s announcement of the purchase, Shah acknowledged the transaction.

Shah and Altman have known each other for more than a decade. The sale of the domain has occurred between two acquaintances rather than strangers. Shah and Altman were familiar with each other even before the establishment of OpenAI. According to Shah, ChatGPT was the perfect destination for the Chat.com domain.

Payment in OpenAI shares. It’s important to note that payment for the domain was made in OpenAI shares rather than cash. While a precise final figure hasn’t been disclosed, it’s known that the deal’s value exceeds the $15.5 million Shah originally paid in 2023.

Image | Levart_Photographer

Related | SoftBank Invested $500 Million in OpenAI After ChatGPT Comforted Its CEO on Difficult Nights

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