Thomas Barrett

4 min read | | EnCirca Inc A quiet but significant gap is opening up in the domain naming landscape, and it has real implications for those advising technology companies on digital identity and brand protection. Register for free for limited access Register for free to receive our newsletter, view leading trademark professionals in WTR 1000 and gain limited access to subscriber content.

A Real Problem in the Market AI companies, Web3 protocols, and quantum computing ventures starting up in 2026 face a domain naming gap that doesn’t get discussed much. It’s worth laying out clearly. The ccTLD that served AI companies most naturally—.ai, Anguilla’s country code—has become a victim of its own success. Short, generic, single-word .ai names that were available at standard registration fees a few years ago now trade at five- and six-figure prices on the secondary market.

The 2026 ICANN Nominating Committee (NomCom) has opened applications for leadership positions that will directly influence the future of Internet policy development—including critical seats on the Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) Council, the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Council, and the At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC). Applications close 18 February 2026 at 23:59 UTC.