Sabeer Bhatia is one of the pioneers in the Web 1 era with Hotmail, one of the world's first web-based email services.
Now he is back with a new project, this time in Web3.
On Jan. 7, Bhatia announced a new digital token called HOTCOIN.
Related: What is tokenization? Explained
'Hotcoin, just like Bitcoin'
Promoting the new entrant to the digital assets ecosystem, Bhatia wrote on X,
"Hotcoin is a digital asset, just like Bitcoin. It's an asset for an AI-powered economy. Right now, it's free. It's backed by its network of users (you and me). Founded by the creator of Hotmail, his and his team's efforts will increase its value."
As per the official website, users can earn HOTCOIN by signing up and creating wallets. Upon signing up, 2 HOTCOINs are automatically added to the wallet.
There is also a referral program that allows users to earn more HOTCOIN.
The website also mentioned that HOTCOIN's value will be revealed once it is listed on an exchange in Dubai in the near future. Meanwhile, Bitcoin was trading at $92,030.52 at press time.
Claiming "military grade" security, traders will be able to use HOTCOIN with AI agents along with online and offline merchants.
As per the Terms and Conditions page , the project is governed by and in accordance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates.
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What was Hotmail?
Hotmail was launched on July 4, 1996, by Bhatia and Jack Smith. It revolutionized communication by allowing users to access their inbox from any computer connected to the internet.
Hotmail appeared at a time when email was typically tied to specific desktop software and Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Initially stylized as "HoTMaiL" to emphasize its use of HTML (HyperText Markup Language), the service quickly gained millions of users thanks to its free accessibility and ease of use.
In December 1997, Microsoft acquired Hotmail for an estimated $400 million, integrating it into its MSN suite as "MSN Hotmail."
The platform became one of the largest email providers globally, boasting hundreds of millions of active users by the early 2000s. Over time, Hotmail evolved alongside Microsoft's broader digital ecosystem, later becoming part of Windows Live services.
In 2013, Microsoft rebranded Hotmail as Outlook.com, merging its user base with its newer, more modern webmail platform.
Related: Tokenization and rewards: Blockchain's new role in driving users
This story was originally published by TheStreet on Jan 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the MARKETS section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
