How Crypto.com Went From Obscure Startup to $875M in Deals
The Domain that Started it All
In 2016, a little-known crypto startup called Mona.co was doing what a lot of early crypto companies were doing—issuing crypto debit cards, trying to gain traction, and hoping to catch the wave of digital finance. But then, they made a move that changed everything. They bought the legendary domain Crypto.com—and it cost more than a few meme coins.
The Bet That Built A Global Powerhouse
Prior to its sale, Crypto.com belonged to cryptography professor, Dr. Matt Blaze, who wasn’t exactly itching to sell. For years, he held onto it, seemingly unimpressed by the digital gold rush happening around him. But then, Mona.co showed up with a check. The final price was never officially disclosed, but reports estimate it was somewhere between $5–$10 million—which, at the time, seemed like a ridiculous sum for a domain name. Except, it wasn’t. This wasn’t just about owning a cool website—it was about becoming the brand for crypto.
Rebranding, UFC Deals, and a $700M Power Move
With the new domain in hand, Mona.co transformed into Crypto.com. It wasn’t just a rebrand—it was a complete identity shift. Suddenly, they weren’t some scrappy startup selling crypto debit cards. They were the hub for all things crypto. And, they didn’t stop there.
By 2021, Crypto.com had pulled off two deals that cemented their place as a global powerhouse:
- A $175 million, 10-year partnership with the UFC—putting their name on fight kits and branding them into the octagon.
- A $700 million, 20-year deal to rename the Staples Center—home to the Lakers, Clippers, and countless historic moments.
Let’s pause for a second. A company that didn’t even exist a decade earlier had just slapped its name on one of the most famous arenas in the world. And it all started with a domain name.
Was It Worth It?
Ask the 80+ million users they’ve acquired. Or, the companies now scrambling to buy premium domains of their own. Mona.co was just another startup, but Crypto.com became a global empire. In the end, a domain name isn’t just a name—it can be an avenue to build a global business.
