OpenAI, Google and Meta compete for .agent domain

OpenAI, Google and Meta are competing for the .agent internet domain in the latest expansion of the web’s address system. The domain could be used for websites and services related to artificial intelligence agents, which perform tasks across software and online platforms.

ICANN published 1,615 applications from 481 applicants on Oct. 7. The .agent extension received 13 applications, making it one of the most contested names in the round.

OpenAI applied for 15 extensions, including .agent, .agi, .asi, .gpt, .model, .skill, .voice and .mcp. Google is seeking several of the same domains, including .agent and .mcp. Meta has applied for .agent and extensions associated with its artificial intelligence products.

Seven applicants are seeking .agi, a reference to artificial general intelligence. Five are seeking .mcp, which stands for Model Context Protocol, a standard developed by Anthropic to connect AI applications with external tools and data. Anthropic applied for .anthropic and .claude.

A company that obtains an extension could operate its registry, manage domain registrations and collect fees, subject to ICANN rules. Each standard application carries a $227,000 evaluation fee. When multiple applicants seek the same extension, ICANN can require an auction or another process to resolve the competition.

Google’s registry subsidiary paid $25 million in a 2015 ICANN auction to obtain .app. None of the contested extensions in the current round has been awarded.

Cryptocurrency companies have applied for domains linked to digital assets, blockchain networks and online payments. ICANN’s preliminary contention data lists 11 applications for .bit, five for .crypto, and four each for .wallet and .dao. The .bitcoin, .btc and .nft extensions each received two applications.

The Cardano Foundation reported on Oct. 8 that its application for .ada had advanced to the next stage of ICANN’s process. Frax Finance has also disclosed an application for .frax, covering plans related to on-chain ownership, payments and artificial intelligence-based commerce.

A crypto-related domain would not automatically provide blockchain transaction or wallet services. Those functions would require separate technical systems connecting the domain to blockchain networks, payment tools or digital identity services.