# Domains for Web3 and crypto startups

> Domains for Web3 and crypto startups: .io $32.99/year, .xyz, .ai, .app, .dev, .co, .tech. Pay from a USDC or USDT treasury, no KYC.

- URL: https://buydomainscrypto.com/web3-startup-domains/
- Last updated: 2026-10-08
- Publisher: BuyDomainsCrypto (https://buydomainscrypto.com)

Pick the right extension for a crypto or Web3 project, pay for it from the treasury in stablecoins, and avoid the traps: HTTPS-only extensions, 2-year minimums and the .io question.

**Quick answer — What is the best domain for a Web3 or crypto startup?**

For a Web3 or crypto startup, the usual choices are .io, .xyz, .ai, .app, .dev, .co and .tech, plus the .com of the name when it is free. **BuyDomainsCrypto** sells all of them, paid in crypto from your treasury (USDC, USDT, BTC, ETH, SOL or LTC) with no KYC. A .xyz costs $11.49/year and a .io $32.99/year the first year.

## Startup extensions: prices per year

Prices in US dollars at BuyDomainsCrypto, paid in crypto. The restrictions column shows the HTTPS rule and the .ai 2-year minimum.

| Extension | 1st year | Renewal | Transfer | WHOIS privacy | Restrictions |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| .io | $32.99 | $50.49 | $50.49 | Free | None |
| .xyz | $11.49 | $11.49 | $11.49 | Free | None |
| .ai | $81.99 | $81.99 | $81.99 | Free | min. 2 years |
| .app | $8.49 | $14.49 | $14.49 | Free | HTTPS required |
| .dev | $8.49 | $12.49 | $12.49 | Free | HTTPS required |
| .co | $30.69 | $30.69 | $30.69 | Free | None |
| .tech | $45.99 | $49.99 | $49.99 | Free | None |
| .com | $11.49 | $11.49 | $11.49 | Free | None |

*8 extensions · prices per year in USD*

## Which extension fits which project?

| Extension | Good for | Rule to know |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [.io](https://buydomainscrypto.com/tld/io/) | Protocols, developer tools, SaaS | Chagos question: see [is .io safe in 2026](https://buydomainscrypto.com/guides/is-io-safe-2026/) |
| [.xyz](https://buydomainscrypto.com/tld/xyz/) | Web3 projects, side projects, low-cost names | Same price first year and renewal: $11.49/year |
| [.ai](https://buydomainscrypto.com/tld/ai/) | AI agents, models and tools | 2-year minimum: [why](https://buydomainscrypto.com/guides/ai-domain-2-year-minimum/) |
| [.app](https://buydomainscrypto.com/tld/app/) | Wallets, dapps, mobile and web apps | HTTPS required (HSTS preload) |
| [.dev](https://buydomainscrypto.com/tld/dev/) | Docs, SDKs, developer portals, open source | HTTPS required (HSTS preload) |
| [.co](https://buydomainscrypto.com/tld/co/) | Company sites, short brands | 5 years maximum per registration |
| [.tech](https://buydomainscrypto.com/tld/tech/) | Infrastructure, hardware and software companies | No registrant restriction |
| [.com](https://buydomainscrypto.com/tld/com/) | The main brand, email, typed traffic | Same price to renew: $11.49/year |

## Which extension should a crypto startup choose?

Choose the one your users will type and trust, then protect the rest. A simple rule set:

1. **Get the .com if it is free** ($11.49/year). People type it by habit and guess email addresses on it.
2. **Pick one main extension** for the product: .io or .xyz for protocols, .ai for AI agents, .app for wallets and apps, .dev for docs and SDKs.
3. **Register the obvious variants** that phishers would try, such as the name with a hyphen or with "app" or "wallet" added.

Keep every name on auto-renew from one balance. A lapsed domain of a crypto project can be taken over and used to phish its users.

## Why do .app and .dev require HTTPS?

Because the whole extension is on the HSTS preload list built into major browsers. A browser opens a .app or .dev site only over HTTPS, never over plain HTTP.

Set up a TLS certificate before you point the domain to a server, for example a free one from Let's Encrypt. Our DNS supports CAA records, so you can choose which certificate authorities may issue certificates for your name. The .page extension has the same HTTPS rule.

At BuyDomainsCrypto, .app costs $8.49/year the first year and $14.49/year to renew; .dev costs $8.49/year, then $12.49/year.

## Is .io still safe for a Web3 project?

Yes, for now. As of October 2026 .io works normally, and the UK–Mauritius treaty on the Chagos Islands, the territory behind .io, was put on hold in 2026.

If the country code were ever retired, the process would give years of transition. Keep the .io you have built on, also hold the .com of the name, and keep auto-renew on. The full answer, with precedents, is in [is .io safe in 2026](https://buydomainscrypto.com/guides/is-io-safe-2026/). Our .io costs $32.99/year, then $50.49/year.

## Why does a .ai name cost two years upfront?

Because the .ai registry sets a 2-year minimum for registrations and renewals. At BuyDomainsCrypto, .ai costs $81.99/year, so the first payment is 2 × $81.99.

For an AI agent or model, the name often is the product, and the price is worth it. For a short experiment, a .xyz or .dev costs much less in year one. Details in [why .ai needs a 2-year minimum](https://buydomainscrypto.com/guides/ai-domain-2-year-minimum/).

## DNS domains or Web3 names: what is the difference?

A DNS domain such as yourproject.io works in every browser, email server and app. A Web3 name lives on a blockchain and needs extra software to resolve.

- **DNS domains** (.com, .io, .xyz and the rest) are registered through a registrar, listed in the global DNS and reachable everywhere.
- **Web3 names**, such as those sold by Unstoppable Domains, are not part of the internet's DNS. A normal browser does not open them without an add-on.
- **For a public site, docs or email**, you need a DNS domain. A Web3 name can sit next to it, for example as a wallet label.

BuyDomainsCrypto sells DNS domains only, in 55 extensions.

## How do we pay for domains from a crypto treasury?

Top up the balance from the treasury wallet in stablecoins, then register names from it when you need them.

- **USDC:** on Ethereum (ERC-20) only, 12 confirmations.
- **USDT:** on Tron (TRC-20), 20 confirmations, or on Ethereum (ERC-20), 12 confirmations.
- **Not accepted:** stablecoins on Solana, Polygon, BNB Smart Chain, Arbitrum, Base or other layer 2s.
- **Multisig wallets:** the exchange rate is locked for 30 minutes once the payment page is open. Have the signers ready before you open it, or top up in advance.

Unused balance stays on your account and never expires, and it pays for new domains, renewals and transfers, but it is not refundable. No ID and no company documents are asked: only a verified email. Coin details on [USDC](https://buydomainscrypto.com/pay-with/usdc/) and [USDT TRC-20](https://buydomainscrypto.com/pay-with/usdt-trc20/).

## Set up your startup's domains in five steps

1. **Search the name** — Check the name in the domain search. .io and .co availability is confirmed when you order.
2. **Add the main name and its variants** — Put the product name, the .com and the obvious look-alike variants in one cart.
3. **Top up from the treasury** — Send USDC or USDT on the network shown, for at least $25. One payment covers the cart.
4. **Point the DNS** — Use our DNS (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, CAA) or your own nameservers, 2 to 13. Add a certificate before you launch on .app or .dev.
5. **Protect the names** — Keep the transfer lock on, turn on auto-renew and WHOIS privacy where the registry allows it.

## Domains for Web3 startups: FAQ

### What is the best domain extension for a crypto project?

It depends on the product. .io and .xyz are common for protocols and Web3 projects. .ai suits AI agents, .app wallets and apps, .dev documentation and SDKs. Hold the .com of the name too if it is free. At BuyDomainsCrypto, .xyz costs $11.49/year and .io $32.99/year the first year.

### Can we pay for domains from a DAO or company treasury?

Yes. A payment is a normal on-chain transfer. Send USDC (Ethereum, ERC-20) or USDT (Tron TRC-20 or Ethereum ERC-20) to the address on the payment page, for the exact amount shown. The rate is locked for 30 minutes, so prepare multisig signers in advance, or top up the balance first.

### Do you need company documents or KYC?

No. No ID, no KYC — only a verified email, kept private. ICANN rules require the registrant email to be verified after registration. Extensions with eligibility rules, such as .us or .eu, are not sold. The startup extensions on this page (.io, .xyz, .ai, .app, .dev, .co, .tech) have none.

### Do you sell Web3 or blockchain names?

No. BuyDomainsCrypto sells regular DNS domains only, in 55 extensions, which work in every browser and email server. Web3 names, such as those sold by Unstoppable Domains, are not part of the DNS and do not open in a normal browser without an add-on.

### Do .app and .dev domains work without HTTPS?

No. Both extensions are on the HSTS preload list of major browsers, so browsers load them over HTTPS only. Install a TLS certificate before you point the domain to your server. Our DNS supports CAA records to limit which authorities may issue certificates for your name.

### Is .xyz a good choice for a Web3 project?

It is common for Web3 and side projects. At BuyDomainsCrypto, .xyz costs $11.49/year, with the same price to renew. Some registrars sell the first year for about $2 and renew higher: $14.21 at Porkbun and $14.45 at Dynadot, as of 8 October 2026, per their pricing pages.

### How do we protect our users from phishing domains?

Register the obvious variants of your name before someone else does, keep every domain on auto-renew, and keep the transfer lock on. Set CAA records so only your chosen certificate authorities can issue certificates. To report a look-alike domain, contact the abuse desk of the registrar that holds it. Ours is abuse@buydomainscrypto.com.

### Can the owner details of our domains stay private?

Yes. WHOIS privacy is free at BuyDomainsCrypto on every extension whose registry allows it, which includes .io, .xyz, .ai, .app, .dev, .co and .tech. Only a verified email is required. Registrant data only goes out on a Panamanian court order, except urgent requests that ICANN rules require registrars to answer.

## Sources

1. [.io safe for now as Trump puts Chagos deal on ice](https://domainincite.com/31642-io-safe-for-now-as-trump-puts-chagos-deal-on-ice) — DomainIncite (2026)
2. [HSTS preload and Google Registry extensions](https://kb.porkbun.com/article/96-hsts-preload-and-google-registry) — Porkbun Knowledge Base (2026-10-08)
3. [Unstoppable Domains partners with Circle on stablecoin payments](https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2021/08/178744-unstoppable-domains-partners-with-circle-on-stablecoin-payments/) — Crowdfund Insider (2021-08)
4. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (2026-10-08)
5. [Domain extension pricing](https://www.dynadot.com/domain/tlds) — Dynadot (2026-10-08)

**Register your startup's domains with crypto** .io $32.99/year, .xyz $11.49/year, .ai $81.99/year. Pay from the treasury in BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC. No KYC. [Search a domain](https://buydomainscrypto.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://buydomainscrypto.com/pricing/)

---

BuyDomainsCrypto: BuyDomainsCrypto is a crypto-only domain registration service with no KYC: pay in BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC; .com costs $11.49/year with the same price to renew, free WHOIS privacy where the registry allows it.