Eric Lyon
Scorpion Agency LLCTop Member
- Impact
- 29,379
Today, I'll be analyzing the .fund gTLD to see if I can dig up any helpful data points that could be stacked with someone elses research into the .fund extension.
Note: At the time of this analysis there was a 1-character minimum to register a .fund domain. There were also several 1-character .fund domains available to register, but with a mid-3-figure to low-4-figure premium registration cost.
With the above in mind, lets dive right in...
Note: NameBio.com shows 57 .fund domain sales reports ranging from $100 to $26,520.
Some notable sales are:
The .fund gTLD has experienced a period of relative stability with minor fluctuations over the last five years. Based on the data from DNS.Coffee, the extension saw its most significant growth early in this period, followed by a plateau and a recent recovery. As of today, May 4, 2026, there are 21,523 registered .fund domains. This represents a total net increase of approximately 15% since May 2021.
Yearly Registration Breakdown
The following totals from DNS.Coffee outline the year-over-year trajectory:
VC firms and private equity groups use the extension to signal their specific role in funding startups and businesses. Notable sales in this space include vc.fund ($746) and equity.fund ($1,900) [NameBio]. [1, 2]
2. Mutual & Hedge Funds
Traditional investment vehicles, such as mutual funds and hedge funds, adopt the extension to host investor portals and performance reporting tools. The keyword-rich index.fund sold for $5,000, highlighting its value for tracking products. [1, 2]
3. Non-Profits & Charities
Charitable organizations use .fund for dedicated fundraising campaigns and community trust initiatives. It provides a clear call to action (e.g., yourcause.fund) that distinguishes fundraising efforts from a general informational site. [1, 2]
4. Cryptocurrency & Web3 Projects
A growing segment of the 21,523 registrations comes from crypto-investment groups and Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). The sale of krypto.fund for $100 reflects early entry-level interest in this niche. [1, 2]
5. Fintech & Crowdfunding Platforms
Online platforms that facilitate peer-to-peer lending or equity crowdfunding utilize the extension to establish industry-specific credibility. It helps these startups stand out from broader financial services by focusing on the "funding" aspect of their tech. [1, 2, 3]
6. Personal Finance & Wealth Management
Independent financial planners, credit counselors, and wealth managers use the domain to brand their advisory services. It is particularly effective for advisors who specialize in retirement or education savings funds. [1, 2]
7. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
The real estate sector uses the extension for specialized property investment funds. The highest reported sale for the gTLD, re.fund at $26,520, likely targets the "Real Estate Fund" niche (though it also serves as a clever play on the word "refund"). [1]
8. Corporate Philanthropy & Impact Investing
Large corporations with dedicated philanthropic arms or impact investment funds use the .fund extension to separate their social responsibility initiatives from their main commercial operations.
The "Action" Hack (Verbs)
This is the most common use, where the word before the dot creates a command or describes a process.
By placing an adjective before the dot, the domain becomes a brand name that describes the nature of the capital.
Using abbreviations or industry jargon before the dot creates a professional "shorthand" that is easy for insiders to remember.
This involves using the first half of a compound word to complete the thought with the extension.
Domain hacks are particularly valuable for the .fund gTLD because:
Cybersquatting and the ACPA
The Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) is a U.S. federal law that allows trademark owners to sue domain registrants. To win, the trademark owner must prove:
This is an international administrative process managed by ICANN (often through WIPO). It is faster and cheaper than a lawsuit. A trademark holder can take your domain if they prove:
The way you phrase your offer is the most important legal evidence.
Even if you aren't "squatting," using a domain in a way that creates consumer confusion or "blurs" a famous mark (e.g., using a .fund domain to sell shoes that compete with an established brand) can lead to infringement claims. With 21,523 registrations in the .fund space, the niche is crowded enough that overlapping with a "famous" mark is a real danger.
Reverse Domain Name Hijacking (RDNH)
On the flip side, if a large company tries to bully you out of a domain you registered legitimately for its generic value (like equity.fund, which sold for $1,900), they can be found guilty of RDNH. If the word before the dot is a dictionary term and you didn't specifically target them, you are in a much stronger legal position.
Potential Practices for a Campaign:
Target "Dictionary Word" Hacks (High-End)
Focus on English words that, when paired with ".fund," create a standard financial term or a common verb.
Acquire industry-specific abbreviations that professional firms use daily.
The registration total of 21,523 suggests the "easy" generic names may be taken, but you must resist the urge to register brand-adjacent names.
Since registration costs can be as low as $5.98 but renewals jump to $55.00, your "carry cost" is high.
Don't wait for buyers to find you. Use the Crunchbase and SEC filings lead sources we identified.
Helpful Outbound articles and tools
What works for one may not work for another and vice versa.
Have a great domain investing adventure!
Source
Source
Note: At the time of this analysis there was a 1-character minimum to register a .fund domain. There were also several 1-character .fund domains available to register, but with a mid-3-figure to low-4-figure premium registration cost.
With the above in mind, lets dive right in...
.fund domain registration costs
According to Tldes.com the .fund domain registration cost ranges from $5.98 to $14.05..fund domains registered today
According to DNS.Coffee there are 21,523 .fund domains registered today.Public .fund domain sales reports
There's a few .fund domain sales reports to look at online.Note: NameBio.com shows 57 .fund domain sales reports ranging from $100 to $26,520.
Some notable sales are:
- re.fund: $26,520
- light.fund: $8,600
- index.fund: $5,000
- equity.fund: $1,900
- vc.fund: $746
- krypto.fund: $100
5-year .fund domain growth summary
The .fund gTLD has experienced a period of relative stability with minor fluctuations over the last five years. Based on the data from DNS.Coffee, the extension saw its most significant growth early in this period, followed by a plateau and a recent recovery. As of today, May 4, 2026, there are 21,523 registered .fund domains. This represents a total net increase of approximately 15% since May 2021.
Yearly Registration Breakdown
The following totals from DNS.Coffee outline the year-over-year trajectory:
- May 2021: 18,705
- May 2022: 21,431 (+14.6% increase)
- May 2023: 21,533 (+0.5% increase)
- May 2024: 21,544 (Minimal change)
- May 2025: 20,559 (-4.5% decrease)
- May 2026: 21,523 (+4.7% recovery)
- The Initial Surge (2021–2022): The extension saw its sharpest growth during this window, adding over 2,700 registrations. This aligns with the broader "fintech" and crypto-fund boom that drove interest in financial-specific domain names like krypto.fund (which NameBio notes sold for $100).
- The Plateau (2022–2024): For two years, registrations remained almost perfectly flat, hovering around the 21,500 mark. This suggests a "saturation point" where new registrations were being balanced out by an equal number of non-renewals.
- The 2025 Dip: The drop to 20,559 registrations indicates a period of consolidation. This often happens when "speculative" registrations—those bought hoping for a quick flip—are allowed to expire if they don't sell on the aftermarket.
- Recent Recovery (2025–2026): Over the last year, the extension has regained nearly all the ground lost in 2025, returning to its historical peak of ~21,500.
8 niches for .fund domains
1. Private Equity & Venture Capital (VC)VC firms and private equity groups use the extension to signal their specific role in funding startups and businesses. Notable sales in this space include vc.fund ($746) and equity.fund ($1,900) [NameBio]. [1, 2]
2. Mutual & Hedge Funds
Traditional investment vehicles, such as mutual funds and hedge funds, adopt the extension to host investor portals and performance reporting tools. The keyword-rich index.fund sold for $5,000, highlighting its value for tracking products. [1, 2]
3. Non-Profits & Charities
Charitable organizations use .fund for dedicated fundraising campaigns and community trust initiatives. It provides a clear call to action (e.g., yourcause.fund) that distinguishes fundraising efforts from a general informational site. [1, 2]
4. Cryptocurrency & Web3 Projects
A growing segment of the 21,523 registrations comes from crypto-investment groups and Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). The sale of krypto.fund for $100 reflects early entry-level interest in this niche. [1, 2]
5. Fintech & Crowdfunding Platforms
Online platforms that facilitate peer-to-peer lending or equity crowdfunding utilize the extension to establish industry-specific credibility. It helps these startups stand out from broader financial services by focusing on the "funding" aspect of their tech. [1, 2, 3]
6. Personal Finance & Wealth Management
Independent financial planners, credit counselors, and wealth managers use the domain to brand their advisory services. It is particularly effective for advisors who specialize in retirement or education savings funds. [1, 2]
7. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
The real estate sector uses the extension for specialized property investment funds. The highest reported sale for the gTLD, re.fund at $26,520, likely targets the "Real Estate Fund" niche (though it also serves as a clever play on the word "refund"). [1]
8. Corporate Philanthropy & Impact Investing
Large corporations with dedicated philanthropic arms or impact investment funds use the .fund extension to separate their social responsibility initiatives from their main commercial operations.
What a playful .fund domain hack might look like
A "domain hack" is a clever way to use both the keyword and the extension to spell out a complete word or recognizable phrase. Because .fund is a complete English word, it is a goldmine for these types of creative URLs.The "Action" Hack (Verbs)
This is the most common use, where the word before the dot creates a command or describes a process.
- re.fund: The most successful example to date ($26,520 sale). It turns a financial extension into a consumer-facing service for returns or tax rebates.
- de.fund: Often used in political or social activism (e.g., "defund" a specific program).
- self.fund: Ideal for startups or creators who are "self-funded" and want to showcase their independence.
By placing an adjective before the dot, the domain becomes a brand name that describes the nature of the capital.
- slush.fund: A play on the common term for a reserve of money (often used for entertainment or "extras").
- trust.fund: Targets a very specific demographic or legal service related to estate planning and inheritance.
- mutual.fund: A "category-killer" hack that describes exactly what the entity is without needing any extra words.
Using abbreviations or industry jargon before the dot creates a professional "shorthand" that is easy for insiders to remember.
- vc.fund: (Sold for $746). Short for Venture Capital Fund. It’s concise and professional.
- reit.fund: Specifically for Real Estate Investment Trusts.
- index.fund: (Sold for $5,000). A direct hack for one of the most popular investment vehicles in the world.
This involves using the first half of a compound word to complete the thought with the extension.
- hedge.fund: The quintessential financial hack.
- pension.fund: Instantly recognizable for retirement services.
- vulture.fund: A bold, edgy choice for distressed debt investors.
Domain hacks are particularly valuable for the .fund gTLD because:
- Memory Retention: A hack like re.fund is much easier to remember than a longer alternative like getyourrefund.com.
- Shortened URLs: They are perfect for social media bios and marketing materials where space is limited.
- Niche Authority: As seen with equity.fund ($1,900), these hacks immediately signal to a visitor exactly what industry they are in.
Why the language before and after the dot should match
Using an English keyword before the dot for a gTLD like .fund creates a linguistically cohesive "semantic unit" that is immediately recognizable and trustworthy to a global audience. Since .fund is a specific, high-intent English noun, pairing it with a non-English prefix creates a "language mismatch" that can confuse users, hurt search engine relevance, and dilute the brand's professional authority. By maintaining English on both sides of the dot, registrants can capitalize on established financial terminology, as seen in high-value sales like index.fund ($5,000) or equity.fund ($1,900), ensuring the domain functions as a clear, intuitive phrase that resonates with the 21,523 existing registrations and the broader international finance community.10 lead sources for .fund domain outbound campaigns
- Crunchbase: The gold standard for identifying venture capital firms, private equity groups, and recently funded startups. You can filter by "Funding Status" to find companies that just closed a "seed fund" or "series fund."
- SEC EDGAR Database: Public companies and investment firms must file Form D for private placements. This is a primary source for identifying new private equity and hedge funds as they are legally formed.
- Product Hunt: A launchpad for new fintech tools and crowdfunding platforms. Search for "funds" or "investing" to find new founders who might have settled for a subpar .com and would prefer a "hack" like equity.fund ($1,900).
- LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Use boolean searches for job titles like "Fund Manager," "Director of Philanthropy," or "Managing Partner." You can specifically target those in the "Investment Management" or "Non-Profit Management" industries.
- AngelList (Wellfound): This platform is dedicated to the startup ecosystem. It is an excellent place to find "Syndicate" leads—smaller, nimble investment groups that rely heavily on digital branding.
- Charity Navigator / GuideStar: These databases list thousands of non-profits. Look for organizations with large "Endowment Funds" or active capital campaigns that could benefit from a dedicated URL like light.fund ($8,600).
- Kickstarter / Indiegogo: Browse high-performing crowdfunding campaigns. Creators who have successfully raised a "community fund" are prime candidates for a permanent domain to manage their ongoing capital.
- DeBank / Etherscan: For the Web3 niche, these tools allow you to see active Treasury wallets and DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations). These groups often use extensions like krypto.fund ($100) for their governance portals.
- Preqin: A highly specialized provider of data on the "alternative assets" industry. It is the best place to find institutional-level leads for private equity, real estate, and infrastructure funds.
- Local Secretary of State Filings: New business registrations are public record. Search for new entities containing the word "Fund" or "Holdings" to catch them before they have fully established their web presence.
- How to leverage an Ai Assistant to find domain leads
- How to leverage Social media to find domain leads
- How to leverage Job Boards to find domain leads
- eMail Marketing Best Practices for Domain Outreach
- List of FREE tools for outbound domain sales
- Outbound Domain sales Tips
Legal considerations when selling a domain to an existing business
Approaching a business to sell a domain name that matches or mirrors their existing trademark is a high-stakes move. While it can lead to a significant payout, like the $26,520 sale of re.fund, it can also trigger legal action if not handled with extreme care.Cybersquatting and the ACPA
The Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) is a U.S. federal law that allows trademark owners to sue domain registrants. To win, the trademark owner must prove:
- The domain name is "identical or confusingly similar" to their trademark.
- The registrant had "bad faith intent to profit" from the mark.
- The Risk: If a court finds you registered a domain specifically to "extort" a trademark holder, they can order the transfer of the domain and award statutory damages up to $100,000 per domain.
This is an international administrative process managed by ICANN (often through WIPO). It is faster and cheaper than a lawsuit. A trademark holder can take your domain if they prove:
- The domain is identical or confusingly similar.
- You have no rights or legitimate interests in the name.
- The domain was registered and is being used in bad faith.
- Note: Using a domain for a generic purpose (e.g., an "index fund" informational site on index.fund) is a defense. Using it specifically to target a company called "Index Fund Inc." is a liability.
The way you phrase your offer is the most important legal evidence.
- Dangerous: "I see you own the 'Alpha Capital' trademark, so I bought Alpha.fund. Pay me $10,000 or I’ll sell it to your competitor." This is textbook bad faith.
- Safer: "I am selling the premium domain Alpha.fund, which is an excellent fit for the investment industry. Given your presence in this sector, I wanted to see if this asset aligns with your digital branding strategy."
Even if you aren't "squatting," using a domain in a way that creates consumer confusion or "blurs" a famous mark (e.g., using a .fund domain to sell shoes that compete with an established brand) can lead to infringement claims. With 21,523 registrations in the .fund space, the niche is crowded enough that overlapping with a "famous" mark is a real danger.
Reverse Domain Name Hijacking (RDNH)
On the flip side, if a large company tries to bully you out of a domain you registered legitimately for its generic value (like equity.fund, which sold for $1,900), they can be found guilty of RDNH. If the word before the dot is a dictionary term and you didn't specifically target them, you are in a much stronger legal position.
Potential Practices for a Campaign:
- Research First: Check the USPTO TESS database to see if your domain keyword is a registered trademark in the financial services class.
- Stick to Generics: Selling "Dictionary Word" + .fund (e.g., vc.fund) is much safer than selling "Brand Name" + .fund.
- Price Reasonably: Asking for "fair market value" based on sales like those reported on NameBio is more defensible than asking for a ransom-style figure.
Potential .fund domain investing strategy
Based on the data points we’ve established, specifically the 21,523 registrations reported by DNS.Coffee and the 57 sales reports on NameBio ranging from $100 to $26,520, the best investment strategy for the .fund gTLD is a "High-Utility Semantic Hack" approach.Target "Dictionary Word" Hacks (High-End)
Focus on English words that, when paired with ".fund," create a standard financial term or a common verb.
- The Logic: As seen with re.fund ($26,520) and index.fund ($5,000), these domains are "category killers." They are intuitive, easy to remember, and have high search intent.
- Action: Look for available or aftermarket "verb/noun + fund" combinations that haven't peaked, such as impact.fund, seed.fund, or growth.fund.
Acquire industry-specific abbreviations that professional firms use daily.
- The Logic: The sale of vc.fund ($746) and equity.fund ($1,900) proves that professional groups value brevity. These firms have high marketing budgets but prefer "insider" terminology over flashy branding.
- Action: Target 2-4 letter financial acronyms (e.g., pe.fund for Private Equity, reit.fund, or lp.fund).
The registration total of 21,523 suggests the "easy" generic names may be taken, but you must resist the urge to register brand-adjacent names.
- The Logic: As discussed, targeting an existing business's trademark (like goldman.fund) opens you up to ACPA/UDRP claims.
- Action: Only invest in domains where the keyword before the dot is a generic dictionary term. This protects your investment and ensures you can sell the domain on the open market based on its inherent "keyword value" rather than a specific company’s brand.
Since registration costs can be as low as $5.98 but renewals jump to $55.00, your "carry cost" is high.
- The Logic: You cannot afford to "spray and pray" with 1,000 domains. A portfolio of 10 high-quality .fund domains will cost you ~$550/year to maintain.
- Action: Be extremely selective. Only register a .fund domain if you believe its resale value is at least 10x the annual renewal fee ($500+).
Don't wait for buyers to find you. Use the Crunchbase and SEC filings lead sources we identified.
- The Logic: Many investment groups are technically sophisticated but may not be monitoring the .fund aftermarket.
- Action: Reach out to newly formed funds (found via Form D filings) that have "clunky" names and offer them the cleaner .fund version as a professional upgrade.
Helpful Outbound articles and tools
- How to leverage an Ai Assistant to find domain leads
- How to leverage Social media to find domain leads
- How to leverage Job Boards to find domain leads
- eMail Marketing Best Practices for Domain Outreach
- List of FREE tools for outbound domain sales
- Outbound Domain sales Tips
Questions for you
- Do you own any .fund domains?
- If so, how are they doing for you?
- Thinking about investing into .fund domains?
- If so, what niche will you target and why?
What works for one may not work for another and vice versa.
Have a great domain investing adventure!
