Rare Bitcoin domains go up for auction
A rare portfolio of over 280 Bitcoin-related domain names, some registered just after the cryptocurrency’s launch in 2010, is now heading to auction. According to Lloyds Auctions, many of these domains were created at the very dawn of Bitcoin and are being offered as a single lot to bidders.
Spanning the Bitcoin ecosystem
The collection (you can see the auction lot here) covers major Bitcoin sectors including payments, custody, exchanges, education, and infrastructure. Notable examples include:
- BitcoinBlockchain.com
- BitcoinWallets.com
- BitcoinExchanges.com
- BitcoinRemittances.com
- BitcoinBooks.com
The lot also includes geographically targeted names such as JapanBitcoin.com, GermanyBitcoin.com, AfricaBitcoin.com, and UnitedKingdomBitcoin.com. While the origins of the registrations have not been disclosed, the early dates have fueled speculation that they may be linked to the original Bitcoin developer community.
Defining the language of Bitcoin’s digital economy
Lee Hames, chief operations officer at Lloyds Auctions, described the portfolio as “a full suite of digital assets that define the Bitcoin space online.”
He noted that the winning bidder “won’t just own names, they’ll own the language of Bitcoin’s digital economy.”
This sale follows Lloyds’ record-breaking auction of XBT.com for $3 million earlier this year. The Australian auction house has become increasingly active in the digital asset space alongside its traditional business in vehicles, real estate, and collectibles.
Crypto domains join record-breaking sales
High-value domain sales are nothing new. Premium .com domains like Voice.com sold for $30 million in 2019, while 360.com fetched $17 million in 2015. Short, highly brandable names continue to command top prices from businesses seeking online visibility and authority.
Crypto-related domains have followed the same trend. Notable deals include:
- BTC.com sold for around $1 million in 2014
- ETH.com changed hands for $2 million in 2017
- Crypto.com acquired by Monaco in 2018 for $10–12 million
- NFTs.com sold for $15 million in 2022
- CryptoBank.com fetched $1.35 million in 2022
More recently, the domain crypto.bot sold through Sedo for $250,000, while Lloyds’ $3 million XBT.com auction set the latest benchmark for Bitcoin-related names in 2025.
Web3 domains enter the stage
Alongside traditional domains, blockchain-based Web3 domains have gained momentum. Unlike conventional names leased through registrars, Web3 domains live on blockchains and double as wallet addresses and digital identifiers.
The Ethereum Name Service (.eth) is the most widely adopted, though providers like Unstoppable Domains offer extensions such as .crypto and .nft. Some Web3 names have fetched eye-catching sums:
- Paradigm.eth sold in 2021 for 420 ETH (≈ $1.5 million)
- 000.eth sold for 300 ETH (≈ $320,000 at the time)
Why domains still matter for crypto
Whether it’s a traditional .com or a blockchain-based address, names remain at the heart of the internet economy. They define online presence, enable trust, and often carry significant branding value. At EuroDNS, we’ve seen first-hand how premium names can strengthen businesses — from startups to enterprises — looking to secure their digital identity.
As the Bitcoin portfolio heads to auction, it highlights not only the speculative value of domain names but also their ongoing role as the foundation of digital economies, both Web2 and Web3.
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