The million dollar mystery behind Milk.com
Planet Money
2025/09/03
The million dollar mystery behind Milk.com
The million dollar mystery behind Milk.com

Planet Money
2025/09/03
In the early days of the internet, domain names were often claimed by individuals with little more than a vision and a keyboard. Some of these names, like milk.com, have become valuable pieces of digital real estate. This episode dives into the strange and speculative world of domain name investing, exploring why some people hold onto these domains while others trade them for profit.
The podcast investigates the curious case of milk.com, a domain registered in 1994 that remains personal property despite its potential value. The episode explores how domain names can be investments, with early keyword domains sometimes selling for millions. The market has shifted from keyword-based domains to short, brandable names, and the show features insights from domain investors like Rick Schwartz, who treats domains like real estate. Dan Bornstein, milk.com’s owner, shares why he won’t sell—unless someone offers $10 million. The episode also touches on the broader implications of domain ownership and the nostalgia attached to early internet relics.
02:52
02:52
Premium .com names like Voice.com and Rocket.com can be extremely valuable.
08:34
08:34
Milk.com could sell for hundreds of thousands or a million dollars due to its desirability.
11:37
11:37
Rick owns about 7,000 domains and rejects most offers, waiting for a high-value buyer.
17:38
17:38
Dan owns Milk.com and has received many offers for it