WOW! I did not know that. I just checked and after a little search:
<span style="color:#323232;">We have certain requirements for activation to prevent system abuse. In order to have API enabled, your account should meet one of the following requirements:
</span><span style="color:#323232;">
</span><span style="color:#323232;">- have at least 20 domains under your account;
</span><span style="color:#323232;">- have at least $50 on your account balance;
</span><span style="color:#323232;">- have at least $50 spent within the last 2 years
</span>
$50 in last 2 years is not much, but for those who renew for many years, it is still stupid.
I really wish that domain registration was done in a different way, but even in current scenario, gutting features for such a basic service to extract a few bucks and risking losing customers…?