In the digital age, cybersquatting has evolved into a niche, yet lucrative business. Few exemplify this more than Jeremy Green Eche, a New York trademark attorney and self-proclaimed "GOAT of political cybersquatting." Eche has turned what some may consider a questionable practice into a profitable venture, particularly in the realm of U.S. politics.
In 2020, long before Vice President Kamala Harris announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her 2024 running mate, Eche snapped up the domain name HarrisWalz.com for just $8.99. His strategy? Predicting political partnerships and betting on domain names that could become valuable assets in future elections.
Eche's approach isn’t just a gamble—it’s a method honed over years of domain investing. He actively watches political trends, anticipating future campaigns and buying domains that could be valuable if his predictions are correct. This isn’t his first jackpot either. In 2016, Eche sold ClintonKaine.com—a domain based on Hillary Clinton's 2016 running mate, Tim Kaine—for $15,000 to an anonymous buyer. That buyer, as it turned out, was connected to Donald Trump’s campaign, which used the domain to post anti-Clinton content.
This time around, Eche’s foresight paid off again. In August 2024, shortly after Harris and Walz confirmed their ticket, Eche sold HarrisWalz.com for $15,000, a whopping 1,600% return on his initial investment. According to Eche, the buyer was a Harris supporter who didn’t want to risk seeing the domain used for smear campaigns as it had been in 2016.
Eche’s domain portfolio includes around 60 domains related to political figures, including names of future potential presidential candidates. From GretchenWhitmer.com to TrumpCotton.com, he strategically buys and holds domains, knowing that in the unpredictable world of U.S. politics, one accurate prediction could lead to a substantial payday. His domain-buying strategy isn’t just limited to politics either—he occasionally dabbles in corporate domains, but his real interest lies in the political sphere.
Cybersquatting has long been a controversial practice. The act of purchasing domain names that include someone else’s name or brand with the intent to sell them for a profit is often viewed as exploitative. Eche, however, embraces the term. "It's a pejorative term, but I don't mind using it because it's still accurate," he told NPR.
While some may view his methods as opportunistic, Eche sees it as a smart business strategy. After all, in a world where domains are essential for online presence, why shouldn’t he capitalize on foresight and creativity?
Jeremy Green Eche isn’t slowing down anytime soon. With eyes already set on the 2028 election cycle, he holds numerous domains involving prominent figures like Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. These domains, he believes, will appreciate in value just like HarrisWalz.com did.
Despite his success, Eche acknowledges the unpredictable nature of politics. In 2016, he had high hopes for ClintonBooker.com (anticipating a Hillary Clinton and Cory Booker ticket) and ClintonBiden.com, but neither ticket materialized. But for every missed guess, there’s a winning one like HarrisWalz.com.
Jeremy Green Eche’s domain-investing strategy highlights the intersection of politics, business, and technology. As U.S. elections become increasingly digital, the value of online real estate grows—and for cybersquatters like Eche, a well-timed domain purchase could mean a massive return on investment. Whether you view it as savvy investing or controversial cybersquatting, there’s no denying that Eche has carved out a unique niche in the ever-evolving political landscape.