
Domain Name Wire Podcast It’s not just a .com world – DNW Podcast #569
Jan 12, 2026
Duran Vermaht, a seasoned domain investor and co-founder of Efty, shares insights from his impressive $358K sales in 2025, primarily driven by .AI and .CO domains. He discusses the shift in market trends, highlighting the decline of .IO sales and the surge in demand for .AI domains from startups. Duran reveals strategies behind pricing, including a notable $83,750 sale of brain.co, and emphasizes the importance of negotiation techniques for buyers. With plans to expand Efty and adapt to changing market dynamics, Duran dives into the evolving landscape beyond just .com.
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Episode notes
Revenue Beyond .Com
- Duran sold 38 domains for about $358k in 2025 with dot-com contributing under $10k.
- Alternative extensions like .ai, .io, and .co drove most revenue and show the market is not just .com-focused.
Sold To Fund A Home Purchase
- Duran focused on selling in 2025 because he used proceeds for a home down payment and paused replacing sold names.
- That led to lower purchases and a smaller portfolio compounding effect despite good overall results.
Sell-Through Is Portfolio Dependent
- Duran maintained ~1,600 domains with a 2.4% sell-through rate, above typical 1–2% targets.
- Diverse extension mix produced variable STRs, showing portfolio composition affects liquidity.
