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Vintage Bitcoin Domains From 2010 Up For Grabs at Auction

Vintage Bitcoin Domains From 2010 Up For Grabs at Auction

Early Bitcoin Domains Hit the Auction Block

A significant collection of over 280 Bitcoin-related domain names, some dating back to 2010 shortly after the cryptocurrency's inception, is now up for auction. Lloyds Auctions is facilitating the sale of this extensive portfolio, which covers crucial aspects of the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

  • A portfolio of over 280 Bitcoin-related domain names from 2010 is being auctioned.
  • The domains cover key Bitcoin sectors like payments, custody, exchanges, and education.
  • The sale follows a previous record-breaking domain auction by Lloyds Auctions.
  • The event highlights the growing value of crypto-related domain names.

A Comprehensive Bitcoin Digital Asset Suite

The auctioned domains represent a broad spectrum of the Bitcoin landscape, including payments, custody services, exchanges, educational resources, and infrastructure. Notable examples within the collection are BitcoinBlockchain.com, BitcoinWallets.com, BitcoinExchanges.com, BitcoinRemittances.com, and BitcoinBooks.com. The lot also features geographically specific domains such as JapanBitcoin.com, GermanyBitcoin.com, AfricaBitcoin.com, and UnitedKingdomBitcoin.com.

While the original registrants of these domains remain undisclosed, their early registration dates, as far back as 2010, have sparked speculation about a potential connection to the original Bitcoin developer community. Lee Hames, chief operations officer at Lloyds Auctions, emphasized the significance of the collection, stating that the buyer will acquire "the language of Bitcoin’s digital economy."

A Growing Market for Crypto Domains

This auction follows Lloyds Auctions' previous success with the $3 million sale of XBT.com earlier this year. The market for high-value domain names, particularly those in the cryptocurrency space, has seen substantial growth. Past significant sales include BTC.com for approximately $1 million in 2014, ETH.com for $2 million in 2017, and Crypto.com (formerly Monaco) for $10 million to $12 million in 2018. More recently, NFTs.com sold for $15 million in 2022, and CryptoBank.com fetched $1.35 million in the same year.

Web3 Domains Gain Traction

Alongside traditional domain sales, blockchain-based "Web3 domains" are also gaining prominence. These domains, recorded on blockchains, serve as digital identifiers and wallet addresses, with the Ethereum Name Service (.eth) being a leading example. High-value transactions in this emerging market include Paradigm.eth, which sold for approximately $1.5 million in 2021.

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