Global dominance in any field is generally secured by one of the larger countries like the US, China, or Russia. But the digital landscape has provided a more equal opportunity for all to benefit.
Registering domain names has existed since the early 1980s. But, only recently have some hidden countries have become not so hidden by capitalizing on their country code top-level domain (ccTLD).
Discover 4 among many countries that have cashed in by leveraging ccTLD.
The following nations were assigned a ccTLD on a piece of paper long ago as a sign of their sovereignty. However, the positive externalities that would arise in technological form would be unknown for many years.
Tuvalu Leveraging ccTLD
The tiny, 9 islands nation located in the South Pacific is first on the list. The ccTLD assigned to Tuvalu back in the 1990s was .tv. Back then, its significance might not have been known, but today it is a cash cow for the country.
It licenses out is ccTLD to many in the media and entertainment industry. These players can range from TV networks to streaming channels. The most well-known licensee is Twitch, an interactive streaming platform.
Colombia ccTLD, Alternative to .com
Colombia is known for two things, coffee and culture. But its global dominance is not something often heard of. However, its ownership of the .co registry has placed it ahead of the likes of many advanced economies in terms of mainstream recognition.
This domain functions as an alternative to the most popular, .com domain. Entrepreneurs, startups, and basically anybody who wishes to create a global presence can make use of this domain.
Anguilla and the AI Boom
AI is one of the primary disruptive technologies of the century and a Caribbean island is riding the wave. By owning the .ai domain, any individual or organization working on AI projects becomes a customer.
It is expected that as the boom continues, so will the revenue. Currently, the island is earning roughly $3 million a month, but it is expected to increase. It is a significant contribution to the nation’s GDP that has a simple population of only 16,000 people.
Montenegro Leveraging ccTLD
Montenegro is a Balkan country with the Adriatic Sea on one side and 5 neighbors on the other. Even inside the Balkan region, it does not hold a particularly strong sea of influence. However, its ccTLD, .me, is generating good revenue for them.
This is because the 21st century is marked by individualization. People want to create their own identity as a brand and this domain appeals to them for its potential. Anyone from models to bloggers to tech leaders can use the domain for personal branding.
