Top Metaverse Tokens

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Top Metaverse Tokens

In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency, a new frontier has emerged that is piquing the interest of investors worldwide – metaverse tokens. These digital assets, which are associated with virtual worlds and online communities, have witnessed significant traction in recent years. As these metaverses continue to grow and integrate with various aspects of our daily lives, from gaming to social interactions to business, their associated tokens are becoming increasingly prominent in the crypto investment landscape. This rise in prominence has resulted in an expanded market with diverse options, offering ample opportunities for savvy investors.

This article delves extensively into this vibrant market, spotlighting the top 10 metaverse tokens as of Q1 2023. These include well-known names such as The Sandbox, Decentraland, Axie Infinity, Enjin Coin, Illuvium, Magic, Merit Circle, My Neighbor Alice, Mobox, and Vulcan Forged. But we’re not just listing these tokens based on their market capitalization. We’re also providing an in-depth analysis of their adoption rates and user metrics. By doing so, we aim to give you a comprehensive overview of their performance, potential, and the trends shaping their trajectory.

Let us dive straight in and unearth a few gems in the form of top metaverse tokens.

Using CoinGecko’s excellent tagging of tokens, we can identify the following top 10 tokens as of Q1 2023:

  1. The Sandbox (SAND): market cap. $1,024 million
  2. Decentraland (MANA): market cap. $961 million
  3. Axien Infinity (AXS): market cap. $878 million
  4. Enjin Coin (ENJ): market cap. $375 million
  5. Illuvium (ILV): market cap. $253 million
  6. Magic (MAGIC): market cap. $239 million
  7. Merit Circle (MC): market cap. $105 million
  8. My Neighbor Alice (ALICE): market cap. $103 million
  9. Mobox (MBOX): market cap. $93 million
  10. Vulcan Forged (PYR): market cap. $79 million

Now, let’s look at adoption and user metrics using DappRadar. We’ll use 30-day metrics across the board

Project NameUnique Active WalletsTransactions VolumeBalance (TVL)
The Sandbox6.93K4.71K5.21M54.22M
Decentraland3.52K50.33K12.93M30.06M
Axie Infinity80.12K898.78M88.75M744.5M
EnjinN/AN/AN/AN/A
Illuvium379683605.1K2.64M
MagicN/AN/AN/AN/A
Merit Circle47N/AN/A
My Neighbor Alice5597N/A15.09K
Mobox28.21K414.55K5.8238.42M
Vulcan ForgedN/AN/AN/AN/A

Unfortunately, these metrics are hard to compare to DeFi. For example, Balance in Metaverses is similar to total value locked in decentralized applications (DApps). We left out projects that are not DApps, but instead tokens for whole ecosystems, where a major part of the transaction volume comes from swaps and trading on exchanges, instead of in-world activity. Token transaction volume cannot be compared to in game (or in metaverse) transactions. A few striking observations: 

  • Activity on Illuvium is shockingly low, even though the market capitalization of the token is still above $154 million. This could be captive liquidity since Illuvium incentivizes users to lock up tokens for up to four years with massive rewards, or it could be that many holders still believe that the developers will unlock massive success with a token-powered game. Illuvium has recently launched Illuvium: Beyond.
  • Axie Infinity is still going strong and has a devoted client base.
  • Decentraland was one of the first distinct metaverse tokens and one of the poster children of the metaverse land gold rush. User activity there has since dropped and continues to shrink.
  • Enjin and Vulcan Forged are ecosystems of their own with multiple DApps.
  • My Neighbor Alice is a NFT sharing DeFi game.

How can you, discerning investor, decide whether to buy tokens, considering the above metrics do not apply, though? 

Short Primer on Valuing Tokens

When looking at tokens, market capitalization is often seen as a good measure of value. We found, time and again, that market cap is sometimes achieved by mere speculation, without reflecting underlying or intrinsic value. While it is perfectly rational to use market ballistics for investing, we find that most holders overestimate their ability to time the market and get caught in a destructive spiral of FOMOing in much too late and then getting out when they can’t bear the pain anymore. 

Experienced investors form opinions that lead to very concrete expressions in the market. Something like: I will buy token X at this price with this exposure and sell at this price with a stop loss at that price. 

Most investors want to buy and hold tokens, so we want to give some additional tools that can be used to research possible investments. Please understand that this is in no way an invitation or enticement to actually buy tokens. This remains at the sole discretion and the singular responsibility of the reader.

  • Liquidity: Using CoinMarketCap, check how much trading volume a certain token has had on what exchanges. See a screenshot below for Illuvium, where you can see $22 million in centralized exchanges volume and $1.6 million in DEX volume. While these are large numbers, they’re paltry compared to major currencies. ETH has $12 billion worth of volume on CEXs and $60 million on DEXs. Stablecoins, meanwhile, have even more.

Liquidity becomes important when buying or selling tokens. Low liquidity means high slippage (or loss from friction) when buying or selling.

  • Distance from all-time high, all-time low: Where in the history of the token is the current price. If it is close to the all-time high, is there any news that supports this momentum? 
  • News and products: Has a new game or product recently shipped or is expected to boost demand for the token? Has the founding team raised money from a top fund? Has a celebrity publicly endorsed one of the products or the token?
  • Tokenomics: How much dilution is going to happen going forward, and when is the next big unlock of tokens? This is especially important because a sudden influx of additional available tokens always leads to substantial sell pressure and lowering prices — at least in the short term.

The more research you can put into your purchase, the better. Try to come up with a credible thesis of why you would want to buy a token at a certain price and also define clear targets for selling or at least taking some profit.

In conclusion, investing in metaverse tokens requires a nuanced understanding of several factors, such as liquidity, distance from all-time high and low, news and products, and tokenomics. Market capitalization, while often considered a good measure of value, can sometimes be misleading due to speculative influences. Therefore, it’s crucial for potential investors to conduct thorough research and form concrete opinions before making any decisions. Remember, investing in tokens is not just about buying at a certain price, but also knowing when to sell. With the right tools and knowledge, you can navigate the dynamic landscape of metaverse tokens more effectively.

How Much of Metaverse Token Trading Is Speculation?

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How Much of Metaverse Token Trading Is Speculation?

In this article, we navigate the speculative world of the metaverse, focusing on the tokens of leading platforms, Decentraland and The Sandbox. Our analysis explores land ownership, exchange volumes, net exchange activity, and virtual land speculation trends to understand the primary motives behind acquiring these tokens.

Speculation is an integral part of any new technology, and the metaverse is no exception. Due to the use of blockchain-based tokens, it is even more susceptible to speculation.

To analyze the level of speculation in the metaverse, we have analyzed the tokens of the top two decentralized metaverse platforms: Decentraland and The Sandbox.

Chart 1 shows the percentage of tokenholders who used their tokens to purchase land on these platforms. The ownership of land is low for both MANA and SAND tokenholders, but SAND tokenholders have a higher percentage of ownership than MANA tokenholders in all months. This low level of land ownership indicates that most users are not acquiring these tokens to buy land on their respective platforms.

The decentralized exchange (DEX) volume for both tokens has been decreasing over the months and is minuscule compared to the centralized exchange (CEX) volume for the same.

Net exchange activity for both tokens is contrasting, as MANA largely has a net outflow of the token from major CEXs, while SAND has a net inflow. A higher net inflow to CEXs indicates that fewer tokens are being used within the metaverse.

In chart 4, one can observe the speculation in the virtual land of both platforms. The current land sales volume is only a fraction of what it was at the start of 2022.

The average sales value of land has decreased by approximately 89% in Decentraland and 84% in The Sandbox. The number of buyers shows a similar trend.

From the charts, it’s clear that metaverse tokens are still not primarily being acquired to use within the platforms. For most users, these tokens are a means to ride the anticipated growth of the two metaverse platforms. Moreover, as the metaverse platforms become more immersive and adoption grows, speculation will decrease with time.

From our extensive examination, it’s evident that the primary motive behind acquiring metaverse tokens is not yet to utilize them within their respective platforms but rather to speculate on their anticipated growth. Low levels of land ownership, decreasing exchange volumes, contrasting net exchange activities, and diminishing land sales all point towards this conclusion. However, as the metaverse continues to evolve and becomes more immersive, we expect that the level of speculation will decrease over time, paving the way for genuine adoption and utilization of these tokens within the metaverse platforms.

Tokenomics of the Metaverse

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Tokenomics of the Metaverse

Tokenomics, the economic models behind cryptocurrency tokens, are a crucial aspect of any blockchain-based project. These models dictate how tokens are minted, distributed, and managed, playing a significant role in their value and functionality. This article explores four primary tokenomic models: the fixed supply model, the deflationary model, the inflationary model, and the dynamic supply model.

Each of these models has its unique features, advantages, and potential drawbacks. Additionally, the article delves into the token distribution patterns in metaverse tokens, highlighting the importance of fair distribution in fostering network effects, incentivizing participation, and maintaining price stability.

Tokens play a vital role in the decentralized metaverse ecosystem by facilitating the exchange of value and ownership. They also provide a means for tokenholders to engage in the decision-making process through governance proposals.

A carefully designed tokenomics model is key to aligning the incentives between different stakeholders in the metaverse. The first step toward designing tokenomics is deciding whether the platform will have a single- or multi-token system. A single-token system works best for metaverse platforms that have a limited scope of token utility.

A multi-token model is ideal for a complex metaverse ecosystem, where projects might want to have more than one token to serve different purposes. In a multi-token model, each token has its own unique use case and value proposition, and they are often designed to work together in a symbiotic relationship to create a more robust and functional ecosystem. Each token can have its own schedule and can be inflationary or deflationary.

Source: Cointelegraph Research

The use of multiple tokens can help to improve liquidity, incentivize different types of users, and create more opportunities for value creation and distribution. However, managing a multi-token model can be complex and requires careful design and implementation to ensure that the different tokens work together effectively and efficiently. It is also important to ensure that the supply and demand for each token are balanced to avoid over- or under-valuing any particular token in the ecosystem. The multi-token model is most commonly used by play-to-earn metaverses.

The tokens can be then further categorized into four main models:

  1. The fixed supply model: This is the simplest and most common form of tokenomics model. In this model, a protocol mints a fixed supply of tokens either at the genesis or using an emission rate to mint the supply over a period of time.
  1. Deflationary model: In a deflationary model, the supply of tokens decreases over time, either through a token burning mechanism. The token could be burned through different mechanisms (such is the case for Decentraland). 2.5% of the total MANA utilized is burned whenever someone purchases land in the metaverse. The primary purpose of the deflationary model is to increase the token value as the adoption increases. A major drawback of a deflationary model is that a scarcity in supply could occur in case the platform experiences a constant surge in the number of users.
  1. Inflationary model: An inflationary model is the exact opposite of a deflationary token model. In this model, there is no limit on the number of tokens that could be minted, and there is an inflation rate that increase the circulating supply of the tokens over time. This model is useful to boost liquidity of a project by offering high staking rewards to the users. However, on the downside, the token is prone to hyperinflation in the long run, which can devalue the token and reduce investor confidence. This model is seldom used in a single-token system and is often a part of a multi-token system.
  1. Dynamic supply model: This model does not impose a limit on the supply of tokens. Instead, it incorporates a burn rate to introduce scarcity, and as demand for the token grows, the algorithm adjusts the supply accordingly by increasing it. However, given the poor track record of algorithmic tokens, this model has yet to reach significant adoption.

Token distribution patterns of metaverse tokens:

The token distribution pattern plays an important role in the success of the tokenomics model of a project. A fair distribution would create network effects, incentivize participation, and maintain price stability. The pattern of token distribution varies from project to project, keeping the metaverse design and the hierarchy of stakeholders in mind as seen in the chart. 

However, there are a couple of recurring patterns: 

  • Token emission towards community incentives is higher than that for most projects, indicating the community-first approach of decentralized metaverse. 
  • A dedicated distribution for the ecosystem is not the priority, and projects are more reliant on the treasury for the ecosystem growth.

Understanding tokenomics is vital for both project developers and investors in the blockchain space. The choice of model – be it the scarcity-driven deflationary model, the liquidity-boosting inflationary model, or the flexible dynamic supply model – can significantly impact a project’s success and token value. Moreover, the pattern of token distribution can shape the community’s engagement and the overall growth of the ecosystem.

As seen in decentralized metaverses, a community-first approach with high token emission towards incentives can drive participation and growth. However, it’s also important to note that each project’s unique needs and goals would dictate the choice of tokenomic model and distribution pattern. As the blockchain and metaverse landscape evolves, so too will the strategies and models employed in tokenomics.

Venture Capital flows into the Metaverse

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Venture Capital flows into the Metaverse

Venture capital (VC) funding in the metaverse has seen a significant surge, with over $2 billion invested in related activities in 2022, according to data maintained by Cointelegraph Research. This database, tracking over 5000 blockchain industry deals since 2012, indicates a shift from predominantly funding open metaverse platforms in 2021 to supporting service entities in 2022. These support services, focusing on customized metaverse architecture, AI, avatar creations, and more, accounted for over 50% of VC deals. The article further explores different metaverse categories, such as Support, Ecosystem Builder, Open World, Gaming, Closed World, and NFTs, and examines the funding trends within each.

Cointelegraph Research keeps a database of all venture capital and private equity deals in the blockchain industry. The database contains over 5000 deals since 2012 and is updated weekly and available for downloading here. According to Cointelegraph Research’s VC database, total VC funding on metaverse-related activities in 2022 surpassed $2 billion in 2022. 

Elevated thresholds in the cost of capital, intermittent bouts of market volatility and general economic uncertainty may all put a limit on the ability of global venture funding to stage a strong comeback, following a year in which it was down by 35% YoY. 

Total VC funding on metaverse related activities in 2022

If 2021 VC funding was largely centered around the funding of open metaverse platforms, the predominant texture of deals in 2022 involved support service entities that received over $580 million in funding. Support service startups focussing on customized metaverse architecture, AI, avatar creations, etc. currently account for over 50% of VC deals. While support service-related funding may dominate the volume charts, businesses with strong credentials in ecosystem building will likely attract the most lucrative VC deals in the metaverse. 

Metaverse Categories 

  • Support – This can be an umbrella of metaverse development services which includes building technologies to shape and grow businesses. Eg Meta/Oculus
  • Ecosystem Builder –  These are projects that aim to provide the tools,  and infrastructure required to build a metaverse. Eg. Roots Network
  • Open World – The open metaverse is a term used to describe the virtual world beyond any company’s walled garden. It is a single, connected universe where users can interact with each other regardless of which platform they are using. The Sandbox and Decentraland are examples of open metaverse platforms where individuals can create objects and move them across them.
  • Gaming
  • Closed World – The Closed Metaverse is a metaverse that is not open to the public. It is usually only accessible to employees of the company or organization that owns it. For example, Coca-Cola has its closed metaverse called “Coca-Cola World” that is only accessible to Coca-Cola employees. Other closed metaverses include IBM’s “Second Life” and Cisco’s “Virtual U”
  • NFTs
Source: Nasdaq

A case in point here is Hong Kong-based Animoca Brands (it garnered $360 million in just one round of funding with Liberty City Ventures, amongst others), which has been making waves in the building of an open metaverse and has already made investments in 30-odd metaverse-related projects. VC investors would likely prefer to fund late-stage ecosystem entities such as this that could then use their expertise to make more discerning choices and divert those VC funds to early-stage startups. The table below provides some context on the type of entities that attracted the big bucks from the VC world last year.

If there’s one area in the metaverse that appears to be going through a phase of enervation, it may well be the “user devices” segment or those companies involved in virtual reality, augmented reality and the virtual worlds where funding has been sliding sequentially for four straight quarters. VC interest may likely have cooled, as there are still ample encumbrances linked to the limited interoperability of these devices. If these devices are still unable to facilitate the linkage and usability of content across different virtual worlds, offered by different vendors, widespread adoption could remain stunted.

In conclusion, despite the challenges posed by elevated thresholds in the cost of capital, market volatility, and economic uncertainty, VC funding in the metaverse has shown resilience. While support services dominate the volume charts, businesses with strong credentials in ecosystem building have been attracting the most lucrative deals. However, it’s worth noting that the “user devices” segment, including virtual and augmented reality, is experiencing a downturn. This could be due to the limited interoperability of these devices, suggesting that there may still be hurdles to overcome in this rapidly evolving sector.

M&A Metaverse Deals

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M&A Metaverse Deals

The metaverse, despite its current imperfections, opens up a world of opportunities for businesses to innovate and overcome its inherent flaws. This article explores the potential strategies companies could adopt to build scale in this fragmented landscape, focusing particularly on the inorganic route, or acquisitions. It will delve into the concept of M&A (Merger and Acquisition), the role of valuation multiples, and how a possible ‘metaverse winter’ might affect these.

The discussion will also touch upon past M&A trends in the technology, media and telecom (TMT) sector, which is responsible for a significant portion of metaverse-related M&A deals, and look at the potential targets for future M&A activities. Additionally, it will highlight key end markets like gaming, e-commerce, and the emerging health and fitness market, that could drive metaverse-related M&A activity.

The metaverse, in its current state, is hardly indefectible, but the prevalence of existing inadequacies will only spur opportunities for incumbents to iron out some of the inherent flaws and transform the metaverse into a more consummate state. Considering this status quo, deploying capital to deepen in-house intellectual property (IP) infrastructure may prove to be a very fulfilling proposition over time. However, when you consider that the metaverse is currently a very fragmented landscape, with multiple parties scrambling to reach the top, the more expeditious strategy to build scale and fill gaps in the service portfolio could likely be through an inorganic route — i.e., acquisitions (provided integration challenges are kept to a minimum). 

Learn M&A

Inorganic route is another term for M&A. Organic route is when the company spends capital expenditure and R&D to develop their own products/tech. Inorganic route is when they feel they are better off spending money by acquiring another firm that has the requisite tech they need, rather than building it inhouse.

Besides, the onset of a metaverse winter may also bring down acquisition multiples to more palatable levels, thus maintaining the scope for substantial merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in 2023 as well. For example, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in an all-cash deal for ~$69bn (7.6x EV/Sales multiple, 20.2x EV/EBITDA multiple). A healthy enterprise value (EV) to sales multiple is around 1x to 3x, and a healthy enterprise value to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization is between 11 and 16. In line with higher interest rates, we suspect valuation multiplies will continue to come down over the next year. 

For perspective, over the last two years, the technology, media and telecom (TMT) sector, which is typically responsible for 75% of all metaverse-related M&A agreements, engaged in 115 deals, totaling $174 billion in aggregate. The table below sheds light on some of the interesting metaverse-related deals that took place last year. 

Figure 1 Source: Business Wire, company filings

If the past is any indication of the future, entities with content-rich portfolios and libraries are likely to be chief targets for prospective M&A buyers. Over the last two years, content-related acquisitions have accounted for the lion’s share of metaverse-related M&A by value (skewed no doubt by Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of gaming entity Activision Blizzard) while also accounting for a quarter of all deals by volume (the second-highest category).

As far as end markets go, gaming and e-commerce could likely serve as principal hubs of M&A-related activity, as those markets look set to remain the hotspots of the metaverse universe, even by the end of this decade (both of those segments will likely account for 75% of the metaverse-related spending by 2030).

Figure 2 Source: Deloitte

The burgeoning health and fitness market is another promising landscape that could witness greater impetus in metaverse-related M&A undertakings, as 81% of global healthcare executives have already flagged that the metaverse could have a positive impact on their organizations, whilst nearly 50% believe the impact could be transformational.

The metaverse presents an exciting frontier for businesses, with the potential for dynamic growth through strategic acquisitions. As we’ve explored, the inorganic route could be a viable strategy for companies to quickly scale and enhance their service portfolio. Past trends indicate that entities with content-rich portfolios are likely to be the main targets for M&A activities, and markets like gaming, e-commerce, and health and fitness are poised to be the hotspots for metaverse-related spending.

With almost half of global healthcare executives believing the metaverse could have a transformational impact on their organizations, the stage is set for a surge in metaverse-related M&A undertakings. However, the ever-changing nature of the metaverse landscape requires businesses to stay agile, making informed decisions based on careful evaluation of market trends and valuation multiples.

Financial Companies joined the Metaverse Race

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Financial Companies joined the Metaverse Race

In the era of digital transformation, traditional financial institutions are not only adapting but also innovating to stay relevant. This article explores how global entities like HSBC, JPMorgan, and others are venturing into the burgeoning metaverse – a virtual reality space where users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users.

These companies have announced partnerships and plans to engage with their customers in unique ways, from hosting events in virtual stadiums to launching virtual versions of real-world locations. Additionally, crypto companies are also joining the race, leveraging the metaverse to enrich user experiences and expand their digital presence.

HSBC

HSBC announced a partnership with The Sandbox, in which the financial institution will have a stadium that will be used for engaging with sports, esports and gaming fans.

Furthermore, the bank plans to bring the World Rugby Sevens Series into its metaverse experiment, as the bank is the official sponsor of the event.

JPMorgan

JPMorgan has also joined the metaverse race but decided to open a lounge in Decentraland, the other top player in the metaverse sector.

The bank launched its blockchain unit, Onyx, which offers institutions and businesses an opportunity to enter the metaverse. JPMorgan’s lounge is located in the Metaiuku District, a virtual version of Tokyo’s Harajuku shopping district, where users can watch experts talk about the crypto and finance markets.

Corporate Marketing in the Metaverse

Launching metaverse-related initiatives in the financial sector has grown around the world, with institutions in other regions, such as Asia and Latin America, also entering this race.

The Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) announced its plan to launch a virtual realm on the social media platform Cyworld Z, one of the most popular social media platforms in South Korea. The Company aims to set up an IBK Dotori Bank in the metaverse, which will launch financial products tailored for Cyworld Z (IBK’s platform) users.

NH NongHyup Bank also announced the launch of “NH Dokdo-verse,” a metaverse replica of Dokdo Island, a beautiful destination that is difficult to travel to in real life. It’s expected that users will be able to interact with one another by playing fishing games and buying land. This move came after the active promotion of the real island by the bank.

Interbank: In December 2022, the company was the first Peruvian bank to enter the metaverse. The company’s headquarters (the Interbank Tower), which is located on an important highway in Lima, arrived in Decentraland. The bank plans to engage more closely with its customers, expand its digital presence and interact with the bank’s content.

Crypto companies in the metaverse “race”

The metaverse race has also attracted the interest of different crypto companies trying to build their presence in this virtual realm with partnership announcements with leading The Sandbox, Decentraland or Bloktopia. The moves were an attempt to bring users to their virtual spaces and enrich their experiences. 

Binance: One of the leading crypto companies acquired 4,012 LAND NFTs in The Sandbox world. A total of 1,859 land plots adjacent to Binance’s estates were sold to Binance users. The further development and use cases of the acquired land are still unknown.

Kraken: The U.S. exchange has partnered with Decentraland, with the company hosting virtual events, such as a Metaverse Music Festival. The event, which started in 2021, is a collaborative music festival that features over 500 artists in different virtual realms and stages in Decentraland. Although the event is open to the public, Kraken sends early-bird invitations to its user base, which can interact, listen to the lineups and collect NFT wearables.

Other companies: KuCoin, CoinMarketCap, Cointelegraph, and blockchain projects such as Solana, Chilliz, Chainlink and Polygon have partnered with Bloktopia, a Polygon-based metaverse. In those spaces, the companies and protocols are tenants of the virtual space, with some of them utilizing it as a virtual office or as a virtual branch of the company.

In summary, the financial sector is actively embracing the metaverse as a new frontier for customer engagement and marketing. Whether it’s HSBC’s stadium in The Sandbox or JPMorgan’s lounge in Decentraland, these initiatives demonstrate the sector’s commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. Moreover, the involvement of crypto companies like Binance and Kraken further validates the potential of the metaverse. As more institutions continue to explore this virtual realm, we can anticipate a paradigm shift in how businesses and customers interact, offering exciting opportunities and challenges alike. The future of finance, it seems, is not just digital, but also virtual.

Fashion in the Metaverse

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Fashion in the Metaverse

In an era where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, leading brands like Adidas, Gucci, and Nike are exploring new territories in the digital realm. The concept of Web3 and the metaverse has piqued the interest of these global giants, prompting them to venture into this uncharted territory. Nike, a pioneer in its field, has already established a strong presence in the metaverse, while Adidas and Gucci are not far behind. With their respective strategies, these brands are redefining the intersection of fashion, technology, and customer engagement.

Nike has been particularly enthusiastic about the possibilities that the metaverse offers, filing patents for virtual apparel and footwear, and even launching a Roblox-based universe called Nikeland. Adidas, on the other hand, has collaborated with Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) for its first NFT collection, “Into the Metaverse,” and has acquired virtual land in The Sandbox metaverse. Gucci, a luxury fashion brand known for its innovation, has opened “Gucci Town” in Roblox and established partnerships with Zepeto and Superplastic.

Nike

Nike has been really supportive and enthusiastic about Web3 and the metaverse. Apart from filing several patents regarding plans of selling virtual apparel and footwear, Nike has already established a strong presence in the metaverse by: 

  • Launching a Roblox-based universe called Nikeland intended to be a free immersive sports space where users can interact with one another and participate in free sporting events. The company launched this initiative in November 2021 with the intention to help users turn sports and gaming into a lifestyle. So far, it has received 7 million visits. In this world,  buildings, fields and courts are inspired by the Nike headquarters and are also equipped with detailed scenarios where the skills of Roblox users are put to the test in mini-games. Furthermore, it’s expected that users will be able to purchase branded clothes for their avatars.
  • Acquiring RTFKT. Nike acquired RTFKT, a leading brand and NFT studio in December 2021. Founded in 2020, RTFKT is pioneering and innovating brand-building in the boundaries of physical and digital economies.
  • Nike launched its first collection of NFT sneakers created in a collaboration with RTFKT Studios, “CryotoKicks Dunk Genesis,” a collection of 13,570 items that has generated over 7,600 Ether (ETH) of traded volume. An interesting feature is that users can customize each pair using “skin vials.” These vials can be created by different designers, adding special effects and patterns to the base sneakers.
  • Furthermore, Nike has continued releasing drops (with RTFKT), including a complete NFT collectiondrop called CloneX (an NFT profile picture collection from RTFKT). With this collection, the company has also included a merch drop by airdroping Nike Air Force 1 with designs based on specific Clonex NFT traits. This collection, called RTFKT CloneX Forging SZN 1, has raised a total of 3,500 ETH as total traded volume. 
  • Nike has demonstrated its ability and willingness to interact and experiment with Web3 and metaverse technology, and it seems to be paying off. According to on-chain analytics, Nike has outperformed every other brand that has interacted with Web3 and NFTs when considering the revenue its initiatives have generated. In this case, Nike, thanks to RTFKT, has generated over $180 million in revenues (primary and royalties), while Adidas, another sports apparel company, has only generated 10% of that amount.

Adidas

Adidas has also made big moves when it comes to its Web3 and metaverse strategy.

  • NFT drop in collaboration with Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), Adidas sold its first NFT collection, “Into the Metaverse,” back in December 2021.
  • The NFTs were sold for 0.2 ETH each, and each unlocks a digital and physical wearable (hoodie, tracksuit and Gmoney’s signature orange beanie). Furthermore, the digital version will be used in The Sandbox metaverse. As part of this initiative, Adidas purchased its first NFT, BAYC #8774, for its “Into the Metaverse” campaign.
  • Participation in The Sandbox metaverse. Adidas acquired virtual land in The Sandbox metaverse, with plans to build a virtual world with exclusive content and experiences.

Gucci

Gucci is another brand that has made significant and courageous moves in metaverse by:

  • Opening “Gucci Town” in Roblox. On May 22, Gucci started a short-term presence in Roblox with a garden space called “Art Garden.” This space, conceived as a virtual representation of an installation called Gucci Garden Archetypes in Florence, was available for Roblox Users for two weeks. 
  • Making the place look like a central garden (with the classic Gucci logo) and having connections to different stages where users can perform different activities, such as playing mini-games and visiting a store, where it’s possible to purchase Gucci merchandise for Roblox’s avatars. According to the company, over 20 million players have visited the garden.
  • Establishing a partnership with Zepeto. In February 2021, Gucci partnered with Zepeto, a leading app and social platform that personalizes avatars and creates virtual worlds. With the collaboration, Zepeto users are able to purchase and dress their avatars with pieces from Gucci House’s latest collections and explore the Gucci Villa world. 
  • Collaborating with Superplastic for an NFT series. The vinyl toy brand partnered with Gucci to launch a unique NFT collection featuring Gucci-styled Superplastic characters. The complete set is designed by Gucci head of design Alessandro Michele and will come with a physical ceramic representation, which will be handmade by Italian artisans.
    • At the time of this writing, the collection’s floor price is 0.82 ETH ($1,300) and has a total trading volume of 6,00 ETH.
  • Launching a virtual experience in The Sandbox. This space is based on the Gucci Vault platform and will offer immersive experiences, including an experimental store with Gucci vintage pieces.

Other Fashion brands

  • Other brands have started experimenting with metaverse technology. Most of them joined Decentraland in the first metaverse fashion week event. Brands like Estée Lauder, Tommy Hilfiger and Dolce & Gabbana understand that this virtual realm has the potential to convert the e-commerce shopping experience from 2D product images into a 3D immersive shopping experience.
  • In this event, there was a virtual fashion exhibition and the opening of the Fashion District, where 15+ brands, including Tommy Hilfiger and Hogan, have flagship virtual stores.

The innovative steps taken by Nike, Adidas, and Gucci towards embracing the metaverse and Web3 technology have set the stage for a new era in the fashion industry. Their experiences provide valuable insights for other fashion brands that are yet to venture into this space. For instance, brands like Estée Lauder, Tommy Hilfiger, and Dolce & Gabbana have begun experimenting with the metaverse through participation in the first metaverse fashion week event in Decentraland.

In conclusion, it’s evident that the metaverse is more than just a passing fad; it’s a revolutionary platform that’s transforming how we interact with brands and consume products. As Adidas, Gucci, and Nike continue to innovate and expand their presence in the metaverse, they’re setting a standard for other brands to follow. The success of these brands in the metaverse also underscores the importance of adapting to technological advancements and customer expectations in today’s digital age. Indeed, the future of fashion lies in the metaverse, and brands that embrace this will likely lead the pack in the years to come.

Corporates in the Metaverse

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Corporates in the Metaverse

In the era of digital transformation, the metaverse has become the new frontier for technology companies. As a virtual reality space where users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users, the metaverse is breaking boundaries and opening up endless possibilities for businesses and consumers alike.

This article delves into the strategic moves and plans of four major companies – Apple, Spotify, Tinder, and Shopify – as they navigate their paths in this burgeoning space.

Apple

  • Unlike the other tech giants, Apple has neither released nor joined the “metaverse race” publicly; however, it is building a strong footprint on the infrastructure by working on an advanced high-end AR/VR headset that could be ready in 2023, according to Bloomberg. 
  • This bet reflects Apple CEO Tim Cook’s ideas:

“I think AR is a profound technology that will affect everything. Imagine suddenly being able to teach with AR and demonstrate things that way. Or medically, and so on. Like I said, we are really going to look back and think about how we once lived without AR.”

Tim Cook, CEO Apple

Spotify

  • In May 2022, the music streaming company announced its entry into the virtual world with a partnership with Roblox and launched “Spotify Island.” In this world, users (both artists and fans) can hang out and explore a “wonderland of sounds, quests” and obtain exclusive merch for their Roblox avatars.
  • With this move, Spotify is the first music-streaming company to have a presence in the Roblox game and start exploring innovative methods, in which their users can interact and establish new relationships with artists and creators.
  • The visuals of this virtual world are based on green areas, with different icons (such as “Like” icons for redeeming free virtual merch) and interactive quests. Related to merch, the company explains that a portion of sales will go to the artists (but has not revealed what specific share). 
  • It’s expected that users will be able to go to different themed islands, each of which has related content, activities and quests. The first one will be “K-Park,” a perfect place for all K-Pop culture. 

Tinder

  • Back in December 2021, Match Group, the holding company of Tinder, announced its plans to enter the metaverse race with its so-called Tinderverse virtual world; with this, the company also announced plans to launch its own in-app currency, Tinder Coins, which was intended to reward customers who were active on the app and be accepted as payment for premium Tinder features. 
  • To make a more aggressive bet, Tinder acquired the AI and AR firm Hyperconnect, a well-known social discovery and video technology firm that launched two flagship apps: Azar (live video and audio chat) and Hakuna Live (a social live streaming app). Match Group expects the acquisition will help it to expand online dating and social features on its apps.
  • However, last August, Bernard Kim, the company’s CEO, instructed the Hyperconnect team to scale back and “not invest heavily in the metaverse at this time,” citing uncertainty about how the whole metaverse will look and a more challenging operating environment. This happened after the resignation of Tinder CEO Renate Nyborg and disappointing Q2 earnings. On Dec. 22, the company decided to delist Match Group’s stock.

Shopify

  • Similar to Apple, the biggest e-commerce platform is betting on incorporating AR into its business in the e-commerce segment. Currently, Shopify — thanks to a partnership with Poplar Studio — has been allowing merchants to launch a 3D and AR version of products on their respective sites.
  • According to Poplar Studio, “Once the brand has built the 3D model of its catalog, it can create the AR visualization experience, helping seeing the products in more detail, overlying the 3D models onto the real world from the app/web.” 
  • Furthermore, the company has announced a partnership with Novel, a no-code Web3 e-commerce platform. Thanks to this partnership, the startup launched an app on Shopify Store to equip existing merchants on Shopify with easy-to-use tools to experiment with Web3 without any technical knowledge. The core features allow for the creation (minting) and distribution of NFTs to be bought in the Shopify merchant front end.
  • The movement and interest in the metaverse have also attracted “legacy” or “traditional” fashion brands to the space. The move here appears to have strengthened its product offering and created a virtual immersive store where brands can interact with the worldwide public and sell virtual items. 

As we’ve explored, Apple, Spotify, Tinder, and Shopify are all making their mark on the metaverse in unique ways. From Apple’s advanced AR/VR headset to Spotify’s musical wonderland on Roblox, Tinder’s virtual world and in-app currency to Shopify’s AR-enhanced e-commerce experience, these companies are leveraging technology to create immersive and interactive environments for their users.

While the future of the metaverse remains uncertain, one thing is clear: these tech giants are leading the charge and shaping the future of this exciting new digital realm.

2021 as the Year of the Metaverse

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2021 as the Year of the Metaverse

The metaverse as a future virtual reality has been explored for a long time, with projects like Decentraland launching its first beta in 2017; however, 2021 changed everything.

The concept of the metaverse, a collective virtual shared space created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and physically persistent virtual reality, has been around for quite some time. However, it was in 2021 when interest in this futuristic realm skyrocketed, thanks largely to Facebook’s rebranding to Meta and its ambitious pledge to “bring the metaverse to life.” This article delves into various companies’ ventures into the metaverse, with a particular focus on Meta’s extensive efforts and investments, despite significant financial challenges.

Facebook announced its rebranding to Meta in October 2021. The company announced a complete company pivot and a new focus of the entire company to “bring the metaverse to life and help people connect, find communities and grow businesses.” After that, the amount of interest for “the metaverse” reached all-time highs: Companies around the world had started making announcements about their entries to the metaverse as they started working and building. According to market research company Newzoo, this number grew from 200 back in July 2021 to more than 500.

Are these moves and announcements part of a long-term strategic shift or only marketing buzz? 

In this part of the report, we will focus on discovering those companies, exploring what and where they are trying to build their metaverse presence. 

Facebook

The company Facebook has extremely lofty ambitions for the future of the internet and the metaverse, making the metaverse its biggest priority. Apart from the name change, the company is building its own metaverse platform, investing billions in the industry, and acquiring or developing different parts of the infrastructure.

Oculus/Meta Quest: The ex-startup was acquired by Facebook for $2 billion in mid-2014. It’s currently the most popular VR headset, with the second version (Meta Quest 2) selling over 14.8 million units since its launch in 2020, according to International Data Corporation.

Horizon Worlds: Meta’s first virtual world, it launched in December 2021 and is currently live for users in the United State and Canada. This virtual world serves as a free app, where users can hang out with friends, meet new people, play games and attend different virtual events. According to the platform, there are +10,000 worlds available right now.

Research and development: Meta has committed millions of dollars to research new technologies that could unlock the metaverse’s full potential, including VR, AR, AI, blockchain and crypto economies, and artificial vision, among others. Furthermore, the platform has launched a $50-million fund to invest in global research and program partners to help build the metaverse collaboratively.

Despite these efforts, Meta was one of the most impacted Big Tech companies from a turbulent macro environment and general market crackdown: Meta had to lay off over 11,000 employees and saw a sharp decline in its own stock, which lost 70%+ of its value from its peak of $300 per share down to $90 per share. Furthermore, in its Q4 2022 earnings call, the company announced that its metaverse unit (Reality Labs) recorded a $4.28-billion operating loss, bringing its total for 2022 to $13.72 billion. Although the unit only accounts for less than 2% of Meta’s revenue, it’s losing six times the amount of money it generated as revenue.

Despite this, the company continues to support its new vision, saying, “Reality Labs’ losses will increase in 2023 as they will continue to invest meaningfully in this area given the significant long-term opportunities that we see.”

Microsoft

The company has also been working on its own virtual realm; however, Microsoft’s strategy is different from Meta’s, as the Bill Gates-founded company is aiming to build a more work-focused metaverse, currently called “Microsoft Mesh.” 

In its strategy, its “metaverse” is expected to be connected with Microsoft’s product offering and allows teams and people in different physical locations to send chats, join virtual meetings, collaborate on shared documents, etc. and will include different ways to share content, including “Presenter Mode” and “Together Mode.” These modes are already live on the platform.

Apart from this, the company has developed its tech in-house: It owns augmented and mixed reality lenses called HoloLens. This hardware is currently used by several big enterprise clients, including Audi, Toyota, Airbus, Goodyear and the United States Army.

Furthermore, the company is well-positioned to grow and interact with gaming-related metaverses, which is supported by Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, who believes “gaming will play a key role in the development of metaverse platforms.” The company currently has a strong footprint in that vertical:

  • Activision Blizzard acquisition. In early 2022, Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard, a leading game developer studio, for $68 billion, making it the most expensive gaming acquisition of all time. This acquisition gives Microsoft the intellectual property of top-tier games, including Guitar Hero, World of Warcraft and CandyCrush, among others.
  • Owning Mojang Studios. Microsoft owns the creators of one of the most popular virtual world games, Minecraft, which has over 141 million active users and has sold 200 million copies since its launch. It’s important to highlight that Minecraft is often cited as an example of an existing, early-stage, closed version of a virtual world with metaverse characteristics. However, the company has banned NFT-related tech use cases.

Google

The company is focused on the tech stack and has already invested millions of dollars in Big Tech trends: VR, AR, XR and 3D cloud storage content. 

  • The company also launched Google Labs, committing strong efforts to R&D for projects such as Area 120 (Google’s in-house incubator) and ARCore, among others. 
  • Furthermore, Google relaunched its AR Google Glass and has secured a European trademark for the new version. According to company’s announcement, it will test the prototype in a public setting when available. 

Despite the turbulent macro environment and substantial financial losses, Meta remains undeterred, continuing to invest heavily in the metaverse. The company views this sector as a long-term opportunity with significant potential. Despite the skepticism and the financial hurdles ahead, Meta’s commitment to the metaverse signals a shift in how we perceive and interact with digital spaces. As we move forward, it will be intriguing to see how this bold vision shapes the future of the internet and whether other companies will follow suit in this brave new digital world.

Unveiling the Future of Blockchain Beyond 2023

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Unveiling the Future of Blockchain Beyond 2023

We have all heard about blockchain in conjunction with the cryptocurrency landscape, which heavily relies on blockchain mechanisms to keep track of financial transactions. Moreover, we cannot oversee the history of crypto crashes that dramatically dropped its value. Yet, that doesn’t mean that blockchain technology, with its concepts and applications, is worthless, but a question still lingers – What is the future of blockchain?

We can all agree that blockchain’s future lies between communication network technologies and the security of subsequent network-based applications. Also, this immersive technology could grow the global economy by US$1.76 trillion by 2030 by raising tracking, tracing, and trust levels, a PwC report advises us.

As blockchain technology is already building secure digital environments to underpin Web3 and the Metaverse, today we will debate blockchain and its future implications. So read further, stay caught up, and discover if blockchain is the future beyond 2023.

The Future Blockchain’s Role in Digital Transformation

We all know by now that blockchain can significantly and disruptively impact many business models due to its core key elements, such as encryption, immutability, tokenization, decentralization, and distribution.

Just imagine that a simple business transaction can be done in just a matter of minutes, between 2 sole parties, without needing to use intermediaries, as seen up until now for any transaction.

As blockchain has the potential to identify business participants, ensure the security of transactions, validate them, offer faster transaction times, and execute the ecosystem rules, the future of blockchain lies at the intersection of three domains – technology, finance, and governance in any industry, where innovative solutions and transformative applications will emerge.

Blockchain’s Impact on Diverse Industries

Blockchain keeps evolving and integrating cutting-edge technologies, shaping new business models, redefining the traditional financial system, and paving the way for a new form of governance. The journey ahead will undoubtedly present challenges, but the potential rewards for those who navigate this intersection skillfully are immense.

1. Blockchain Could Turn Banking on Its Head

To sum up, the state of banking alongside blockchain tech is expected to grow exponentially to approximately 22.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2026. Moreover, blockchain tech can potentially decrease instances of human error and fraud.

2. Corporate Governance, DAOs, and Blockchain Technology

If traditional corporate governance is based on centralized concepts, blockchain can disrupt this conventional approach by increasing transparency and using smart contracts. The central aspect of corporate governance is that it is susceptible to human errors, self-interests, and many others that erupt from having authority over others.

Given this, DAOs could be a new business model based on modern technologies like blockchain that can bring innovative solutions to this classical problem.

3. Blockchain Rocking the Human Resources Landscape

Blockchain already has the advantage of a distributed database that allows for secure, transparent, and tamper-proof transactions, which could revolutionize the HR landscape.

From managing employees’ data and providing them with more control to enhancing compliance with regulations, reducing costs associated with recruiting and hiring, and increasing overall transparency, blockchain could simply address these using smart contracts.

However, before delving into investments related to blockchain stocks, cryptocurrencies, and other blockchain-driven ventures, it is crucial to thoroughly explore and comprehend the emerging trends, potential challenges, and intricate ethical considerations that accompany this transformative landscape.

A comprehensive understanding of these factors will empower you to make informed and strategic decisions in the dynamic world of blockchain investments.

Blockchain Marvels: Emerging Trends and Innovations

As blockchain technology gains traction and global recognition due to cryptocurrencies, many organizations are exploring ways to harness its potential for various applications. It’s no wonder that blockchain could add value through a vast database tool that could beneficially impact the global economy by $1.76 trillion by 2030.

Then, is blockchain the future? The simple answer is yes.

Blockchain tech could have many implications and benefit society and the economy, as many businesses are getting closer and closer to the Web3 and Metaverse environment, thanks to its security and privacy-enhancing abilities.

Moreover, in years to come, blockchain will emerge in the following:

  • Supply Chain by providing instant access to the status or authenticity of a product;
  • International Trading by using smart contracts, thus reducing the overall costs, and eliminating intermediaries;
  • DeFi (Decentralized Finance) uses smart contracts instead of paying a specific charge or fee for using the bank’s services;
  • Cryptocurrencies and payment systems benefit from storing transactional data in peer-to-peer networks, eliminating the involvement of centralized authorities. However, it also enhances security by creating a greater demand for high-performance systems with faster transaction times.

On the other hand, understanding the crypto market and its role in shaping the blockchain landscape highlights the interconnectedness between digital assets’ valuation and the broader evolution of decentralized technologies.

The Road to Blockchain Adoption

Undoubtedly, blockchain technology is a decentralized and distributed digital ledger that’s slowly and surely changing the digital economy. As it could impact the various sectors, it also opposes a new set of regulatory challenges. Thus, it is crucial for businesses, enterprises, and individuals looking to leverage this technology.

On the other hand, in the past year, we have witnessed many of SEC’s implications within the crypto domain, which could also extend to the blockchain sector. One thing we must know, it the blockchain regulatory landscape could be complex, reflecting the technology’s diverse applications.

For example, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) oversees blockchain-based tokens and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) in the United States. At the same time, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulates cryptocurrencies as commodities.

Also, the European Commission launched a regulatory sandbox for innovative use cases involving Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) in February to enhance legal clarity for innovative blockchain solutions.

As these regulations give us hope for future adoption, blockchain technology has a bigger purpose of raising the bar for many industries.

Future of Blockchain: Social and Ethical Considerations

By now, we’ve learned that blockchain is the future, potentially revolutionizing how we interact by offering a decentralized and transparent platform or application.

Many industry experts and analysts are projecting a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 87.1% from 2022 to 2030, reaching a staggering market size of USD 1,593.8 billion. If blockchain weren’t the future, it wouldn’t be so praised and raised, right? Thus, the exponential growth reflects the vast potential of this innovative technology to revolutionize industries and transform global economies.

Nevertheless, blockchain’s disruptive essence also raises several ethical and social implications that require responsible and sustainable use. To mention a few, we have:

  • Privacy and data security in financial transactions;
  • Cybersecurity and hacking – as blockchain could be used for disreputable purposes;
  • Fairness and accessibility – as the technical equipment comes at a higher cost;
  • The impact on traditional institutions and industries – as blockchain enables transparency and accountability;
  • Decentralization and democratization of power – because it enables users to engage in direct, peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries.

These are just a few changes that the future of blockchain technology will bring to the surface in the years to come. However, it is essential to comprehend that all these aspects need to be treated from a cautious perspective, as the evolution of blockchain technology promises to be fascinating and could shape the future of industries and institutions.

Is Blockchain the Future? Final Thoughts

Since we have reached the end of this comprehensive journey within the realm of blockchain’s potential and stand on the cusp of a new era, we hope we have answered one of the most asked questions – What’s the future of blockchain?

One thing is for sure: among the many emerging technologies of tomorrow, blockchain stands out as a promising force, carrying the power to bring significant changes.

Entertainment in the Metaverse

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Entertainment in the Metaverse

The metaverse is reshaping industries including fashion, music, cryptocurrency, and adult entertainment. With augmented reality, virtual fashion, cryptocurrency integration, virtual concerts, and immersive adult content, the line between the digital and physical world is blurring.

As we delve deeper into the digital age, the metaverse is proving to be a game-changer. The fashion industry is witnessing a new trend with virtual haute couture by brands like Gucci and Dolce&Gabana, enabling shoppers to virtually try on outfits before making a purchase. Meanwhile, artists such as Travis Scott and Post Malone are redefining the music experience with concerts in video games, reaching millions of viewers globally. In the realm of cryptocurrency, platforms like Reddit are leveraging distributed ledger technology to launch “collectible avatars.” Even the adult entertainment industry is tapping into the potential of the metaverse, offering immersive experiences and advocating for fairer working conditions.

Fashion

Trying on clothes meant going into sterile shopping malls and spending time in cramped change booths, until now. Augmented reality allows shoppers to see exactly how outfits would look before purchasing any items while in the comfort of their own homes.

Virtual fashion is another huge trend. We have seen Gucci, Dolce&Gabana and others offer virtual haute couture, while startups like The Fabricant push the boundaries of how virtual fashion is created, collected and traded.

Crypto

While cryptocurrencies and distributed ledger technology will form the basis for a lot of the decentralized metaverse, we expect it to be available and partly instrumental in the centralized metaverse, too. We’ve already seen Reddit launch “collectible avatars” that are NFTs without the “baggage,” if you will. 

Aside from full blown decentralized virtual worlds, we’ve seen Cointelegraph, Crypto.com, KuCoin and many others pursue strategies to further their vision of what the metaverse is going to be. Some will use decentralized ledger technologies without even advertising it and simply enjoy the fruits of development there. In a sense, users are already familiar with that when using Apple OS X, which inherits a lot of its basic plumbing from Free BSD, an open-source UNIX variant.

Music

During Covid, some singers innovated by doing concerts inside of games such as Fortnight and Roblox. Travis Scott’s April 2020 performance had over 28 million listeners. For people born before 1995, an online concert may seem strange and undesirable, but new generations of youngsters seem to be keen on the idea. Post Malone’s performance for the 25th year anniversary of Pokemon inside of Horizon World has over 5 million views on YouTube.

Rapper Snoop Dogg released an exclusive metaverse music video of his song “House I Built” from thealbum B.O.D.R on The Sandbox in April 2022. Snoop Dogg fans can also buy an NFT that gives them special access to exclusive Metaverse parties.  

Adult Entertainment

Sex workers have complained for a long time that their relationship with promotion platforms such as Instagram and Twitter are fraught with unjustified bans, jeopardizing their livelihood. Even industry leader OnlyFans banned some sexually explicit accounts last October, scaring thousands of models in the process. 

The open metaverse offers the possibility for fans to immerse themselves in the experience far deeper than ever before (pun intended), while it could cement creator royalties into the very backbone of protocols ensuring fair working conditions for this marginalized community. 

Multiple protocols, such as Dolz.io or Metapleasure.us have already sprung up to make use of first mover advantages and capture as much of the market as early as possible.

Virtual reality porn already started rolling out in 2014, and interactive applications have so far remained 2D and non-immersive, mainly in the form of live cam sites.

According to industry sites the Adult Cam, the industry has about $1 billion in revenue. While no match for the gaming industry, the metaverse could replace part of the pornography industry as well. How big this opportunity exactly is remains elusive as estimates of the total size range between $6 billion and $96 billion. Whatever the correct number might be, this is a hot market.

In conclusion, the metaverse is providing a platform for innovation and disruption across multiple industries, from fashion to adult entertainment. Through augmented reality and virtual fashion, the shopping experience is evolving to become more convenient and personalized. Cryptocurrencies are playing an instrumental role in shaping the infrastructure of the metaverse. Music artists are leveraging the metaverse to connect with fans on a global scale, and the adult entertainment industry sees an opportunity for improved work conditions and immersive experiences. As the metaverse continues to evolve, these sectors are likely to witness further transformations, creating a future where digital and physical realities seamlessly intertwine.

Professional Use Cases for the Metaverse

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Professional Use Cases for the Metaverse

The emerging metaverse is revolutionizing industries, including real estate, tourism, and architecture. Virtual tours are transforming how real estate developers showcase properties, providing potential buyers with immersive experiences before visiting the physical location.

In the tourism sector, metaverse technology is enhancing customer experiences by enabling virtual visits to resorts and hotels, and augmenting city tours with rich, contextual information.

The realm of architecture is also benefitting from this digital shift, with metaverse technology facilitating visualization of finished buildings before construction, and even enabling the exploration of architecturally impossible structures.

Real Estate

Virtual tours of real estate offerings would offer developers the possibility to showcase buildings before the first stone is laid and would offer buyers to get a decent first impression before having to go to the physical location, saving time and effort for both sellers and buyers.

We have already seen real estate agents offer 360° walkthroughs of buildings on platforms such as Zillow or German ImmobilienScout24. As VR headsets become more commonplace, sellers have stronger incentives to create these, so only the most promising buyers book on-premise tours.

Matterport, a company from Sunnyvale, California, is developing a technology called “Digital Twins,” which is already used by Fortune 500 companies, such as WeWork and Waldorf Astoria. The company claims its special VR cameras are able to transport actual buildings into virtual reality.

Tourism

Ever booked a resort or a hotel, and the actual accommodation was not at all how it looked in the pictures? Metaverse tourism offers a way for potential customers to get a taste of the experience before booking. 

Even when guests have arrived, resorts or tour operators could use augmented reality to radically transform their guests’ experience by going on a tour or a ride. City tours could display a plethora of information on AR headsets, while the tour guide explains the most salient points.

Full metaverse tourism, where travel only takes place in virtual worlds, seems further out, as extended immersion is not a pleasant experience for most users. We expect virtual theme parks to offer short, intense and rapidly evolving experiences to adventurous users however.

“The Flyover Zone” already allows users to experience virtual flyovers of cultural heritage sites worldwide.

Finance

The metaverse will come fully into its own once it starts to enable commerce of digital and maybe also non-digital items. Finance will play a large role in enabling payments and securing marketplaces, but it has to compete with or build upon blockchain technology to succeed. We’ve seen HSBC, JPMorgan and Interbank move into this space tentatively for now.

Architecture

Seeing a finished house before its construction is complete in location and in as much detail as possible is a dream come true for architects, home builders and developers alike. Metaverse technology would enable much tighter feedback loops between architects and their customers and lead to greater satisfaction.

Apart from making potential real buildings visible, the metaverse can allow physically impossible architectural feats to be experienced. Game developers are already dreaming up whole worlds.

In conclusion, the integration of metaverse technology into the fields of real estate, tourism, and architecture is ushering in a new era of innovation. The ability to virtually tour properties and destinations before committing to them is reshaping customer expectations and experiences. Similarly, architects can now offer clients a glimpse into the future, showcasing finished constructions before they’ve even broken ground. As this technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more extraordinary advancements and opportunities in these sectors.

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