The auction for XBT.com, a domain tied directly to Bitcoin’s institutional ticker, has opened with a starting bid of $2,801,698. Hosted by Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers, the listing is being marketed as a rare chance to acquire a high-value digital asset with the potential to shape Bitcoin’s institutional brand.
The domain’s value is rooted in its alignment with “XBT,” the ISO 4217 currency code for Bitcoin. While most traders now use “BTC,” XBT remains the official designation used by institutions, futures markets, and select crypto exchanges. Lloyds Auctions is positioning XBT.com as more than a domain—
“The financial future & identity of Bitcoin itself,”
Said Lee Hames, Chief Operations Officer at Lloyds.
Three-letter .com domains have historically commanded high prices. Voice.com sold for $30 million, Crypto.com for $12 million, and BTC.com surpassed $1 million. XBT.com, with its ISO-standard pedigree and global brand potential, is expected to challenge those records.
Auctioneers target institutional buyers, crypto investment firms, exchanges, and fintech companies seeking to bridge traditional and digital finance. XBT’s origins in ISO 4217 standards—where currencies not tied to a nation begin with “X,” like XAU for gold and XAG for silver—have anchored its use in formal financial systems since around 2013.
The domain has gained additional attention amid regulatory shifts in the United States. The Securities and Exchange Commission is pushing for a less restrictive environment to support the institutional adoption of Bitcoin. That backdrop, Lloyds notes, could raise the perceived strategic value of an asset like XBT.com.
Usage Trends and Market Position
Despite its official status, XBT’s usage has declined across major crypto platforms. Kraken and BitMEX, both early adopters of the term, have largely shifted to BTC. Some API endpoints and legacy systems retain XBT, but BTC has become the dominant label in retail and institutional crypto markets.
Still, the domain retains relevance in financial sectors. The CBOE previously used XBT for Bitcoin futures, though it abandoned the contract in 2019. In 2024, CBOE Digital reintroduced futures products under new tickers—FBT, CBTX, and MBTX—no longer using XBT. The domain’s branding power and historical connection to institutional finance remain selling points.
As of press time, no bids have been placed. Despite claims of significant interest, only three media results appear in a Google News search for “xbt.com auction.” Hames suggested that high-profile figures such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, or Donald Trump might enter the bidding, though no public confirmation has emerged.
The auction closes on March 28 and is available exclusively through the Internet and absentee bidding. The buyer will also incur a 7.5% premium on top of the final sale price.
