We’re thrilled to mark a significant milestone today – the 9th anniversary of .xyz’s launch! We’re incredibly grateful for the vibrant .xyz community that has evolved alongside us. Together, we’ve achieved remarkable accomplishments and created an online space that embodies the endless possibilities of the digital world.
Over the years, .xyz has experienced an extraordinary surge in popularity. This meteoric rise has not only reshaped the digital landscape but has positioned .xyz as a true pioneer and symbol of innovation.
At the heart of our success lies the incredible individuals who make up the .xyz community. Our community is a diverse tapestry of entrepreneurs, artists, developers, and dreamers, all coming together to push the boundaries of what’s possible online. It is through their unwavering dedication and pioneering spirit that .xyz has become synonymous with freedom and versatility on the internet.
We’ve been very excited this year to witness the integration of AI-related platforms building homes on .xyz and XYZ Registry domains, like .Game and .Quest. In just six months, “AI” has risen to claim the top spot among .xyz domain name registrations, reflecting the growing influence of artificial intelligence in our digital world. Artificial intelligence has revolutionized industries, transforming the way we live and paving the way for a future that was once only imaginable in science fiction. With .xyz leading the charge, these cutting-edge platforms are reshaping the landscape of home automation, robotics, and AI, empowering users to embrace a world of endless possibilities. Don’t miss our upcoming new weekly series #AIMonday, where we will highlight .xyz websites such as Sloped.xyz and Frontdoor.xyz that offer a wide range of AI technologies aimed at helping businesses and individuals automate processes and gain a competitive edge.
At XYZ Registry, we’re excited by the numerous ventures in our dynamic .xyz community securing significant investments. These successes highlight just one facet of our community’s entrepreneurial spirit and drive. .XYZ is home to innovation, attracting visionary minds who disrupt industries. Check out our monthly XYZ Registry Domains Report to learn more about these cool successes. Here are some of the top raises we’ve seen this year:
One of the earmarks of growth and usage in a Top Level Domain like .xyz is the amount of visits or “DNS queries” going to all live domains ending in .xyz. A DNS query happens when you type a domain name into your browser, or click on a link, and your browser sends a request to the Domain Name Service (DNS) to lookup the website files, so that it can display the website for you. For example, if you visit Indo.xyz, Rooms.xyz, and Fair.xyz, those queries are all counted towards the total DNS queries for the .xyz TLD. Queries are counted when users visit websites, and they are also counted when websites are “visited” programmatically, such as when they are crawled by Google for indexing.
You can track the level of DNS activity on .xyz domain names by examining ICANN’s monthly registry activity reports. Looking at “dns-udp-queries-received,” you can gauge the level of interest and engagement with .xyz domains, which can indicate their popularity.
From launch in 2014 to date, the .xyz infrastructure has supported more than 25.2 trillion queries. We have seen steady growth from 4.5 billion queries in 2014, to 1.3 trillion queries in 2022 alone! This stat steadily increases year over year, and as .xyz continues to be the #1 new gTLD in registration numbers, the usage of .xyz grows even more exponentially.
In August 2022, we proudly became the next steward for .Lat, a domain extension that embodies the spirit of LATAM pride. .Lat domains offer an inclusive online space, open for registration by individuals or organizations from any location, such as Manuel Zúñiga’s Consultis.Lat, without restrictions. XYZ is deeply committed to fostering the expansion and advancement of online opportunities, not only in Latin America but also across the globe. We recognize the significance of having an affordable, concise, and versatile domain ending that effectively represents Latinos worldwide. By offering .Lat domains, we aim to empower individuals and businesses, like DataGrowth.Lat, to establish a digital presence that authentically reflects their identity and aspirations.
This past year we introduced our latest initiative, the #BlockchainThursday blog series, which complements our long-standing #WebsiteWednesday series. As the .xyz blockchain community continues to expand, we aim to shine a spotlight on innovative and forward-thinking individuals within our community. Every Thursday, we feature a member of the .xyz blockchain community, such as Lens.xyz and Alongside.xyz, showcasing their groundbreaking work and contributions to the industry. This new series allows us to celebrate the growth and advancements within the blockchain space while highlighting the incredible individuals who are driving its progress. Be sure to check out our #BlockchainThursday series and join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements of our web3-focused community members.
The impact our community continues to have on society is inspiring. Through their innovative technologies, influential works of art and entertainment, and ambitious projects with a global reach, the .xyz community is leaving an indelible mark. From leveraging blockchain technology to enhance security and transparency, to harnessing the power of AI for revolutionizing knowledge management, our community exemplifies the limitless potential of human ingenuity and collaboration.
As we embark on a .Quest towards our 10th year, we remain committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. We deeply appreciate the diverse range of end-users who contribute to our community, as it is through the fusion of different perspectives, backgrounds, and talents that we can truly unlock the internet’s potential. Our ongoing dedication to inclusivity drives us to create tools, resources, and initiatives that cater to the unique needs of each .xyz community member. With our sights set firmly on the future, we eagerly anticipate the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. Here’s to another year of trailblazing and shaping the digital world with .xyz!
In addition to advancements in AI and blockchain technology, remarkable achievements are taking place on .xyz in various global markets. Highlighted here are some of the websites we proudly featured this year:
At XYZ Registry, our zero-tolerance stance against abuse is fortified by our Anti-Abuse Technology and partnerships with leading cybersecurity companies like Spamhaus, PhishLabs, and IWF. These partnerships, along with our proprietary tools and user reporting, are crucial in swiftly responding to and mitigating abuse within our zones, ensuring the ongoing safety of the XYZ namespace. By collaborating with cybersecurity partners, we access specialized expertise and resources to effectively detect and address malicious activities.
User reporting serves as a vital source of real-time information, enabling us to promptly investigate and take action against abuse. Together with our partnerships, user reports help aid in detection to swiftly combat phishing, spam, malware, and other violations of our strict Anti-Abuse policies. This collaborative approach strengthens our ability to uphold the integrity of the XYZ namespace and create a safer online environment.
At XYZ Registry, we prioritize proactive monitoring and rapid response to address abuse, working alongside our partners and users to swiftly mitigate threats and maintain the safety and trustworthiness of our zones.
In the past year, XYZ has been honored to provide support to 262 hackathons worldwide (more than double the amount as last year!), offering a platform for passionate coders to showcase their innovative ideas online. Through collaborations and unique partnerships, like LayerX.xyz‘s hackathon management platform TAIKAI, we have actively worked towards inspiring the next generation to pursue leadership roles in the field of STEM. These partnerships exemplify our commitment to empowering generations of internet users, enabling them to transform their dreams into tangible realities.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our global community for their unwavering support, as we celebrate our 9-year milestone. None of our achievements would have been possible without you, and we eagerly anticipate many more remarkable accomplishments as we continue this incredible journey together.
As we commemorate our 9th anniversary, we embrace our journey in the ever-evolving digital landscape, offering a truly generic domain for all to build upon. From blockchain to AR/VR, 3D, AI, and machine learning, cutting-edge platforms are building on .xyz domains and reshaping our lives. With excitement for the future, we eagerly anticipate the innovations that await us.
For more from XYZ’s CEO, be sure to check out Daniel’s blog post at www.ceo.xyz/nine.
Thirdwork.xyz – Google Domains customer – (United States)
The .xyz community is home to innovative web3 startups that unlock the full potential of blockchain technology to develop new services that meet the changing needs of our society. Web3 video platform Shibuya.xyz aims to disrupt the Hollywood studio system of film distribution. Collectible trading card platform Alt.xyz expanded their alternative assets platform to include options for buying, selling, storing, and borrowing. Music technology company Formless.xyz is aimed at changing the way music and other digital content is valued and distributed. In this week’s #BlockchainThursday, we’ll introduce you to a New York-based platform designed to help crypto-native freelancers to work with web3 startups: Thirdwork.xyz.
Thirdwork.xyz is the online home of Thirdwork, a freelance platform designed to help crypto-native product, design, and marketing talent showcase their skills and connect with hiring web3 startups. The New York-based platform strives to provide a seamless experience for both clients and freelancers. From developers, marketers, and writers to brand strategists and product designers, Thirdwork features a comprehensive pool of freelance talent to cater to various project requirements.
As shared on the bottom of the main page of their blog, Thirdwork’s FAQ answers many questions about their platform, including how talent is screened and vetted. Quality assurance is a top priority, and through a careful vetting and screening process Thirdwork ensures that only the most qualified freelancers make it onto their platform. Candidates undergo a thorough selection procedure, including detailed applications, work samples, and multiple rounds of technical and personality-based interviews. This strict evaluation guarantees that you will be collaborating with freelancers who possess excellent communication skills, technical expertise, and a high level of professionalism.
Thirdwork offers flexibility when it comes to budgeting. Freelancers have the ability to set their own rates, allowing for a wide range of budgets to be accommodated. Thirdwork implements a transparent fee structure for all payments processed through the platform, which simplifies financial management for the freelancers and the startups. Thirdwork has a global network of freelancers, and works to promote effective collaboration by aligning with your time zone and preferences. With a global network of freelancers, Thirdwork promotes effective collaboration by aligning with your time zone and preferences. The freelancers within our diverse network bring various language skills, ensuring that you can find a suitable match for your project, regardless of your location.
Interested freelancers can apply for membership and add their names to the waitlist. Thirdwork reviews applications on a first-come basis and will notify applicants when spots become available. Through their diverse freelancer categories, rigorous vetting process, flexible budget options, global talent pool, and efficient hiring procedures, Thirdwork strives to help maximize the potential of your web3 projects with top-tier freelance talent.
Thirdwork.xyz’s homepage boasts testimonials from satisfied clients including crypto accounting solution Integral.xyz, web3 community platform TokenTag, and crypto platform RabbitHole. TokenTag founder Daniel Vataj writes “Easily the best hiring resource for everyone that’s building.” Integral Head of Growth William Grant writes that Thirdwork fits “seamlessly into our process and consistently produce thoughtful, talented candidates with outstanding experience in the blockchain industry.”
The blockchain industry is experiencing significant growth, and we are inspired by Thirdwork’s forward-thinking to help freelancers match with the right web3 projects. You can learn more by following the platform on Twitter and LinkedIn, and by visiting Thirdwork.xyz.
BoxOne.xyz – GoDaddy customer – (Canada)
The .xyz community is home to many investors and venture capitalists looking to showcase their portfolios and promote their services. Tech entrepreneur Ryan Junee uses Ryan.xyz to share his passions in tech startups, writing, and spirituality. Venture capital firm Paradigm.xyz is co-founded by Forbes-featured billionaire Fred Ehrsam and is focused on investing in tech companies. Investment management company Destiny.xyz is aimed at helping investors gain access to the private tech industry. In this week’s #WebsiteWednesday, we’ll introduce you to an investment firm that specializes in early-stage companies, particularly in the biotechnology, future of food, and quality of life technology sectors: BoxOne.xyz.
BoxOne.xyz is the online home of BoxOne Ventures, a privately held investment firm that focuses on early-stage companies. The Montreal-based firm strives to serve as a supportive partner for entrepreneurs from the very beginning of their journey. BoxOne Ventures invests its own capital and offers guidance and support to help startups grow and reach their full potential. The firm’s team of experienced investors and advisors leverage their own experience as founders, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities that startups can face.
The investment firm specializes in several key fields, including biotechnology, the future of food, and technologies that improve the quality of life. They prioritize investment opportunities in areas such as genomics/proteomics, biosystems, biological manufacturing, synthetic biology, consumerization of healthcare, and therapeutic paradigms. These areas reflect the firm’s commitment to supporting startups that are working to create innovative solutions in the biotechnology and healthcare sectors. BoxOne Ventures has invested in a diverse range of companies, including plant-based restaurant chain Odd Burger, hand sanitizer dispenser brand Shimmy, and agricultural production startup Vivid Machines. These investments reflect the firm’s interest in supporting innovative solutions across a variety of industries and sectors.
A unique aspect of BoxOne Ventures is its emphasis on collaboration and community. The firm’s office, located in the historic RCA Building in the St. Henri neighborhood of Montreal, is a hub of activity where entrepreneurs can come together to exchange ideas and work on their projects. The cutting-edge facility includes a gym and a library, and creates an environment that fosters creativity and innovation.
BoxOne uses the branded email address [email protected] to correspond with potential partners and founders, which helps to generate trust. When you have an email address directly associated with your domain name, customers can use that email address to find your website and have confidence that they’re reaching out to the appropriate contact. We are inspired by BoxOne’s goals of supporting innovation that makes a positive impact. You can learn more by following the company on LinkedIn and by visiting BoxOne.xyz.
NFTpay.xyz – GoDaddy customer – (United States)
Forward-thinking developers are using .xyz domains to build innovative web3 tools and platforms that bridge the gap between the decentralized world and mainstream web2 users, creating new opportunities for adoption and growth in the blockchain ecosystem.
Web3-native publishing platform Paragraph.xyz aims to help creators reach their audiences on web2 while using web3 tools to create, distribute, and monetize their content. Gallery platform Tonic.xyz is aimed at helping crypto and non-crypto natives explore the world of fine art NFTs. Payments processing company Paper.xyz is helping web2 natives to create wallets through their email addresses and purchase NFTs with credit cards across the Polygon, Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche blockchain networks. In this week’s #BlockchainThursday, we’ll introduce you to another payment solution aimed at simplifying the NFT purchasing process for web2 users: NFTpay.xyz
NFTpay.xyz is the online home of NFTpay, a payment solution that empowers you to launch your own NFT project and helps users to easily purchase your NFTs without the requirement for a crypto wallet. With NFTpay, customers can conveniently purchase NFTs using a credit card in under a minute, without the requirement of complicated crypto wallets, KYC, and crypto transfers. Moreover, NFTPay offers the option to securely store NFTs in a custodial account or transfer them to MetaMask at no additional cost. This makes it accessible for everyone, including those without prior knowledge of crypto. The platform supports multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Algorand, Binance Smart Chain, Fantom, Avalanche, EOS, Solana, and Cronos. In December 2022, NFTpay announced the addition of Polygon to its list of supported blockchains.1
One of the key features of NFTpay is its ability to integrate directly into websites with just two lines of script, making it simple and secure for customers to purchase NFTs in just a minute without any wallet requirements. NFTpay has been constantly adding new features and experiences to continue to drive adoption with consumers and businesses alike. They recently rolled out features such as the NFTpay wallet API, support for USDC and USDT stablecoins, and NFT gaming services with other features such as ACH, Apple Pay, and wire transfers coming soon.
NFTpay.xyz shares testimonials from satisfied NFTprojects using NFTpay as a payment option. One testimonial from The X NFT project sums up the usefulness of NFTpay. “For starters, the integration process was frictionless for our dev team, and it virtually eliminated all the friction for our members in making their purchases. This was the major barrier to onboarding new members into our web3 ecosystem. No wallet is required! Just use your credit card! What a difference maker.” NFT community RDB Car Club shares “Integrating NFTpay on our website has allowed us to hit our mainstream audience which is massive to our brand and the roadmap of our project. It is so user-friendly to setup.”
NFTpay strives to simplify the world of NFTs and web3, making them more accessible to everyone. You can learn more by following along on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and by visiting NFTpay.xyz.
1. https://www.yahoo.com/now/nftpay-now-supports-polygon-blockchain-170800266.html
Rooms.xyz – Vercel customer – (United States)
The .xyz community is home to a growing number of 3D designers, artists, and innovative 3D platforms, steadily expanding its influence in the creative realm. Programmer Rosenbloomboom.xyz shares their Unity3D, C++, JavaScript, and Ionic-based gaming projects. Berlin-based 3D artist Ronny Schmidt uses Rosch.xyz to share his captivating 3D animations for commercial clients such as Nike, Google, and Balenciaga. 3D printing company Form.xyz offers a full suite of services like 3D scanning, sculpting, and printing. In this week’s #WebsiteWednesday, we’ll introduce you to a 3D design platform that encourages creativity and can inspire young coders: Rooms.xyz.
Rooms.xyz is a browser-based tool for designing 3D spaces. The new platform is designed to help users express their creativity through drag-and-drop functionality, editable objects, and coding, enabling the design of rooms, basic games, and interactive activities. Inspired by the difficulty of current 3D model creation, co-founder Jason Toff, a former partner in Google’s in-house incubator Area 120, sought to create a tool that bridged the gap between simple creation platforms like Minecraft and more advanced world-building platforms like Roblox. As explained to the press, the company’s vision is to offer a user-friendly experience, like a “digital equivalent of LEGO.” The project raised $10 million in seed funding, led by the a16z Crypto division of technology venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.1
The innovative platform offers a unique approach to 3D design. Differing from Minecraft’s block-by-block method, Rooms.xyz helps users to search, edit, and add fully formed objects to their spaces, such as doors, furniture, decor, pets, and more. The interface provides extensive customization options, including color, size, position, style, and interactive behavior.
In addition to creative expression, Rooms.xyz also fosters educational opportunities. Users can interact with objects using the user interface or click to reveal the underlying code and become familiar with the coding language Lua, which is used in platforms like Roblox. This approach serves as a stepping stone for younger users to gain coding knowledge before transitioning to more advanced editing tools.
The Rooms.xyz homepage showcases a section called “Example Rooms.” Here, visitors can explore a wide array of inspiring room designs crafted by talented users. These rooms serve as a testament to the platform’s versatility and the limitless possibilities it offers for creative expression. Additionally, users have the freedom to copy an existing room and personalize it to suit their own vision, fostering a spirit of collaboration and innovation. Check out a few remarkable examples:
In the future Rooms.xyz can explore monetization opportunities, including selling objects, subscriptions, and licensing the software for educational purposes. The team also envisions compatibility with AR/VR platforms, such as Apple and Meta, as the technology evolves.
Rooms.xyz draws inspiration from Jason’s previous work at Google’s AR/VR division, where he contributed to projects like AR/VR app builder Poly and 3D modeling tool Blocks. We asked Jason about the inspiration behind choosing to build on .xyz domains. As he explained,
“The decision was based on a combination of factors. One, it resonated with us because of its simplicity, just like the alphabet with ABC and XYZ. Secondly, the .xyz extension perfectly aligns with our product, which operates in the 3D space, where each element has x, y, and z coordinates. And, opting for .xyz provided us with a wider range of options and a clearer namespace.”
Rooms.xyz is currently in beta, providing users with a free and accessible avenue for exploring their creativity in the world of 3D design. You can learn more by visiting Rooms.xyz.
1. https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/16/a16z-backed-rooms-xyz-lets-you-build-interactive-3d-rooms-and-simple-games-in-your-browser/
