Chris Ambler won’t end up running .web, but perhaps .epic.
The new top-level domain .web is being introduced this year by Verisign, but the idea for the string stretches back more than three decades. One of the people who was present at the early discussions is Chris Ambler, Director of Domains for Registered Agents, Inc., and his perspective helps trace the long and winding path that led to today’s domain landscape.
Ambler played a notable role in proposing .web years ago, and while that particular string did not end up under his stewardship, his involvement in new domain expansion has continued. He joined Registered Agents, Inc. to pursue a thoughtful portfolio of namespace applications designed to serve different audiences and use cases.
Registered Agents, Inc. applied for six new top-level domains in this latest round of expansion: .epic, .identity, .mark, .private, .registeredagent, and .verified. Each of these strings reflects a strategic intent. For example, .epic is positioned as a strong, brandable gTLD that can be attractive for entertainment, creative projects, or companies seeking a bold online identity. Strings like .identity and .verified signal a focus on trust, authentication, and professional presence, while .registeredagent and .mark relate more directly to corporate and trademarked uses. .private speaks to privacy-conscious applications and services.
Ambler explains that the choices were not made lightly. In today’s crowded namespace, a new TLD needs to offer clear value: memorable branding potential, marketplace relevance, and technical and operational readiness to handle registrations securely. Registered Agents, Inc. considered both commercial potential and the needs of registrants when assembling its applications.
Although Chris Ambler is not involved with the Verisign .web launch, he maintains a positive view on the overall expansion of the domain name system. He is not bitter about not obtaining .web; rather, he sees opportunity in alternative strings and in helping to shape registries that prioritize registrant needs and operational stability.
Ambler also shares updates on Epik, the domain registrar with which he has been associated. Epik has been an active participant in domain registration and services, and the company’s developments have been followed closely by domain investors and registrars alike. Part of the motivation behind Registered Agents, Inc.’s approach was to ensure strong backend infrastructure and control over registry operations.
To that end, Registered Agents, Inc. built its own Registry Service Provider called Astronym Registry. Astronym Registry was created to provide the technical foundation and registry services required to operate modern TLDs reliably. Building a proprietary registry service allows closer alignment between business goals and technical implementation, helps ensure responsive support for registrars and registrants, and provides the flexibility to tailor policies and operations to the needs of each applied-for string.
The company’s decision to run its own registry services also reflects a broader trend: applicants increasingly seek greater control over registry functions rather than outsourcing every technical detail. This control can translate into faster feature development, stricter security practices, and a closer relationship with the registrar community.
Listeners and readers interested in firsthand remarks from Ambler can find his interview on the Domain Name Wire podcast. The episode covers the history of .web, Ambler’s role in early discussions, the rationale behind Registered Agents, Inc.’s six TLD applications, and why Astronym Registry was built. The conversation offers practical insights for domain investors, brand owners, and anyone tracking the ongoing evolution of top-level domains.
The podcast episode runs for approximately thirty-three minutes and provides useful context for the current TLD landscape, including why some strings succeed, why others do not, and how applicants position new domains for long-term adoption.
In summary, while .web has taken a different path, Chris Ambler and Registered Agents, Inc. continue to be active contributors to the expansion and maturation of the DNS. Their applied-for strings such as .epic, .identity, and .verified emphasize branding, trust, and functionality, and their effort to operate Astronym Registry shows a commitment to building dependable infrastructure for the next generation of domain names.