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Games, Health & Education as Use Cases of the Metaverse

In the rapidly evolving digital realm, the concept of a metaverse, powered by blockchain technology, is taking center stage. The metaverse promises an immersive, interactive virtual environment where individuals can work, learn, play, and socialize in real-time. But beyond this broad definition, what practical applications does the metaverse offer? This article delves into the diverse uses of the metaverse, from gaming and education to health, and explores the progress made so far in these fields.

Games

Computer games have already overtaken movies in both production cost and revenue, which is expected to hit $180 billion in 2022. Top-tier games have embraced immersive technologies as fast as they emerged and now feature surround sound technologies like Dolby Atmos on a regular basis. Some games like Resident Evil 4 have full-blown virtual reality versions that users can experience with popular VR headsets.

Early Web3 metaverses like Axie Infinity, Illuvium or The Sandbox have proven that the economic potential explodes once ownership and financial incentives for players are added. These early games had very limited gameplay, and some were basically frontends for DeFi protocols.

Major development studios showed some resistance to operate with open primitives and decentralized networks, opening the potential to score the first open metaverse video game smash hit for independent game makers.

Recently, games have shifted from play-to-earn to play-toown, focusing more on gameplay than pump and (mostly) dump tokenomics. The future will tell if on-chain characters will truly have meaning outside of the games they were created in, but in any case, having a bullet-proof “save file” is a distinct plus to many gamers.

Education

German car manufacturer BMW uses augmented reality to train factory workers on how to mount cables and other intricate parts of the assembly. Trainees see the virtual part being mounted and follow the procedure with the physical part in hand, making the process crystal clear and unambiguous. The car manufacturer also reports on using mixed reality applications in vehicle development.

Telecommunications equipment manufacturer Nokia operates a VR training room, where trainees learn how to install 5G equipment.

Apart from virtual or augmented reality hands-on training, we expect virtual classrooms to be able to reach children in remote locations. Universities, like University of California, San Diego, are already starting to offer classes or entire programs in the metaverse. The education market was estimated to have more than $106 billion in revenue in 2021. If just a small portion of that moves to the metaverse, it could power multiple unicorns.

Health

Augmented reality can power remote surgeries and vastly improve telehealth offerings, according to sources. Mount Sinai Health System, located in New York, in partnership with SphereGen and Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 utilized the technology to diagnose over 3,000 patients and successfully treat over 400 at the Kyabirwa Surgical Center in Uganda.

Doctors at the Marienkrankenhaus in Hamburg, Germany used HoloLens to overlay the patient with CT scans during complicated surgeries in an on-site mixed reality application that allowed the doctors to see relevant diagnostic information exactly where they needed it while performing the operation.

The metaverse helps on both ends of the spectrum here. Top-notch surgeries could use augmented reality to boost precision and display vitally important diagnostic information where they are needed most, and remote diagnostics and surgeries could help underserved communities get access to healthcare they would not be able to get otherwise.

The metaverse, in its varied applications, has the potential to revolutionize how we interact with the digital world. From providing new dimensions to gaming and offering innovative educational tools, to transforming healthcare services, its influence is far-reaching. While we’ve already witnessed impressive strides in these domains, the metaverse is still in its nascent stages. As technology continues to advance and more industries embrace the possibilities of the metaverse, we can anticipate a future where our virtual and physical realities are seamlessly intertwined.

The History of the Metaverse

The metaverse, a concept now at the forefront of tech innovation, has a rich history that spans several decades. This article explores the evolution of the metaverse, from its early conceptualization in science fiction to the technological advancements that have shaped its current form.

When drawing a timeline of the development of the metaverse, we need to reference our definition of what the metaverse is: “A virtual-reality space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users.”

According to Britannica, computer-based virtual reality was first invented by Jaron Lanier in 1987. Just two years later, between 1989 and 1991, Tim Berners-Lee invented the Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which gave rise to the World Wibe Web as we know it today after the first browsers outside of NeXTSTEP gained popularity in 1993 with NCSA Mosaic. HTTP hyperlinks would forever shape how users interact with virtual worlds.

The term “metaverse” was first coined by science fiction writer Neal Stephenson in 1992.

In 1993, console and games developer Sega announced Virtual Reality Glasses at the CES.

Meanwhile, in popular culture, William Gibson’s seminal book Neuromancer (1984) and movies such as The Lawnmower Man (1992) and The Matrix (1999) popularized the notion that adventures could be had and fortunes be made in purely virtual worlds.

Philip Rosedale released Second Life in 2003, marking the first all-virtual world, with a virtual economy that succeeded at scale. In 2006, a company called Roblox introduced software that lets users create and share games together online. Palmer Luckey, an 18-year-old inventor, created the prototype for the Oculus Rift VR headset in 2010, and the company got acquired by Facebook for $2 billion in 2014. Then, in 2013, Google started delivering its AR effort Google Glass to selected insiders but was met with public ridicule and pushback (“Glassholes”) and ultimately scrapped the effort in 2015.

The year 2016 saw Nintendo’s release Pokemon Go, which had droves of people swarm through parks in the hopes of finding one or more of the lovely critters hidden in a bush or on a tree. The same year, Microsoft launched its HoloLens platform. A year later, in 2017, Ikea launched the Places app, which lets users view furniture in place using augmented reality.

Fast forward to 2020 when Apple shipped LIDAR sensors with the iPhone 12 Pro, giving augmented reality developers a powerful boost. And finally, in 2021, Facebook rebranded to Meta.

On the decentralized side of the tracks, Bitcoin (BTC) launcheed in 2009, enabling a peer-to-peer electronic cash system. The Sandbox metaverse kicked off in 2011 but didn’t have a token until 2020. 2015 saw the launch of Ethereum and metaverse chain Decentraland.

CryptoKitties, the first hugely popular NFT game, congests the Ethereum blockchain for months in 2017. Sky Mavis launched Axie Infinity in 2018, but the game didn’t take off until the launch of its token in November 2020.

Here is an overview of who the top five players in the metaverse are and which layers they focus on.

Venture Capital has been very active in this space, especially since the Facebook rebrand. McKinsey reports that venture capital (VC), corporate and private equity financing has grown from $13 billion in 2021 to over $120 billion in 2022, including the $69bn acquisition of Activision by Microsoft.

The journey of the metaverse’s development is marked by significant milestones from both tech giants and startups alike. With venture capital funding soaring and major players like Meta leading the charge, the metaverse is poised for continued growth and transformation. This article provides a comprehensive look at the key players and developments shaping this exciting digital frontier.

Marketplaces on the Metaverse

The metaverse, a virtual reality space where users can interact in a simulated environment, has its complexities. Centralized versions often restrict economic activities due to the intricacies of creating marketplaces, while decentralized versions face issues with transaction costs and scalability.

Marketplaces are notoriously difficult to implement well, when developers have to start from scratch, which is one of the main reasons why most centralized metaverses limit economic activity so much.

On the other hand transactions have a cost in decentralized metaverses, and most blockchains have bandwidth issues at scale, something their centralized counterparts have solved for the most part.

In a way, the metaverse is not entirely new. From SimCity, first released in 1989(1), to Second Life, released in 2003(2), there clearly always was a market for people who wanted to live life in fictitious worlds with different, often simpler, rules than society had to offer.

In their report titled “Value creation in the Metaverse,” consulting company McKinsey identified 10 layers of the metaverse.(3)

The same report by McKinsey suggests that the metaverse industry could create up to $5 trillion in revenue by 2030. Citi’s report on the same topic reported metaverse revenue to be between $8 and $13 trillion by 2030.(4)

Despite these hurdles, the metaverse holds significant potential. Reports suggest that by 2030, it could generate trillions in revenue, highlighting the immense opportunities this digital universe may offer in the future.

1 See Wikipedia for a history of the game: SimCity
2 The history of that game can be found here: Second Life
3 Download the report here: Value creation in the Metaverse
4 See Citi’s report here: Metaverse and Money

WEWE Global: A Crypto Multi-Service Platform Revolutionizing the Market

WEWE Global, a leading crypto multi-service platform, is redefining the cryptocurrency market with its innovative solutions and services. Since its inception in 2020, the platform has been integrating products that users can utilize by paying in Bitcoin and altcoins, thereby revolutionizing the way people interact with cryptocurrencies.

WEWE Global is not just a platform; it’s a thriving community of over 220,000 members from 86 nations, all brought together by a shared interest in cryptocurrencies. The platform offers a wide range of services, including trading signals, cloud minting, a launchpad for high-potential crypto projects, a blockchain course, and travel vouchers, among others. 

WEWE is proud to be at the forefront of the crypto revolution. The platform is designed to empower users, whether they are seasoned crypto enthusiasts or new to the digital currency world. We offer a range of services that allow our users to make the most of their cryptocurrencies.

One of the key features of WEWE Global is its commitment to integrating services from carefully selected third-party companies. This approach allows users to pay with cryptocurrencies and WEWE virtual tokens, and to share products with referral plans. 

WEWE Global is also a platform where users have a say in project development. Managed as a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO), members can influence the direction of the project through a voting system. This level of user engagement is a testament to WEWE Global’s commitment to creating a platform that is truly user-centric.

In addition to its innovative services, WEWE Global also offers a career plan that takes users from being customers to becoming project ambassadors. With several bonus plans available, users can build their network and level up their careers.

WEWE Global is more than just a crypto platform; it’s a launchpad for digital entrepreneurs. WEWE is leading the future and looks forward to continuing to innovate and provide our users with the tools they need to succeed in the crypto world.

For more information about WEWE Global and how to become an IWA, visit wewe.global

About WEWE Global

WEWE Global is a forward-thinking company that specializes in decentralized technologies and digital asset solutions. Through the development and implementation of innovative products and services, WEWE Global aims to empower individuals and businesses across the globe, helping them navigate the complex digital landscape and unlock new opportunities for growth.
Follow WEWE Global on their social media platforms to stay updated on feature developments: Telegram, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Medium.

The Two Paths to the Metavers

The unfolding digital universe, known as the metaverse, is being shaped by two distinct approaches: a decentralized path powered by blockchain technology, and a centralized one driven by major corporations. This analysis delves into the unique facets and potential pitfalls of each approach.

There are two main paths to the metaverse — two rabbit holes, to keep with our leading quote. One is the “decentralized” metaverse that is powered by tokens, and one is the “centralized” metaverse that is built by corporations, some of which are publicly traded. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, which you’ll read in this report.

In a nutshell, the centralized metaverse is built in a very similar way to Web2, with corporations owning the rails, the marketplaces and the data, but can easily offer a streamlined user experience. There’s little wonder that both Microsoft and Meta are heavily invested in the space. Microsoft can bring games know-how (Xbox) and now artificial intelligence (AI) power (Bing, OpenAI) to the table, while Facebook already has users interacting avatar to avatar in some way.

The decentralized champions are Decentraland with its native MANA token and The Sandbox, native token SAND. These platforms feature virtual worlds where users can build their homes and rent, sell or transact in any other way without asking for permission, or being at risk of censorship or sudden account locks by developers. One of the strongest points for decentralized offerings is the ability for users to “own” their in-game items on-chain. As long as users do not lose access to their wallets, no one else can take these away.

Decentralized platforms also tend to espouse open standards and composability. This gives users the ability to trade characters and in-game items on open marketplaces without needing consent by developers. Finally, cryptocurrencies offer perfect payment rails for users, and developers building on top of Ethereum or Avalanche get secure transfers, exchanges and wallet technology out of the box, for free.

In Web3, composabilty refers to the way in which open standards enable users to combine different technologies without asking authors for permission. One example would be the way nonfungible token (NFTs) can be “fractionalized.” A developer can deposit their NFT into a smart contract which sells or lends out tiny pieces of that NFT for others to trade or own. The developer doesn’t have to talk to the NFT developers but can use the appropriate standards (ERC-721 and ERC-20 in that case). The fractions are automatically usable in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications if they conform to the standards there. Composability let’s Web3 users create totally new and unforeseen use cases, by themselves, without intermediation.

Both the centralized and decentralized visions of the metaverse offer unique benefits. The centralized model, backed by tech giants such as Microsoft and Meta, delivers a unified user experience. Conversely, the decentralized metaverse, led by platforms like Decentraland and The Sandbox, empowers users with uncensored transaction capabilities and ownership of in-game assets. The flexibility of Web3 allows for the integration of disparate technologies without the need for permission, paving the way for innovative use cases. Grasping these complexities is crucial for understanding the future trajectory of the metaverse.

What is the Metaverse?

The metaverse, a proposed network of immersive online worlds where users can interact with each other and purchase goods and services, has been gaining significant attention since Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement of Facebook’s rebranding to Meta Platforms. However, despite the hype, many promises have not been fulfilled. This report aims to provide readers with valuable tools to invest in this promising technology while educating them on what the metaverse is and what it is not.

Welcome to the metaverse! We started out with this famous quote from Alice in Wonderland because the metaverse beckons us with a similar vibe. A place where everything, including the impossible and definitely the improbable, can exist.

After many products and iterations in the general direction of virtual reality (VR) from Morton Heilig’s Sensorama to Meta’s Quest 2 the metaverse was finally in every newspaper after Mark Zuckerberg rebranded the Facebook holding company to Meta Platforms on Oct. 28, 2021.

In the wake of this phenomenal announcement, the token prices of nearly every metaverse crypto token pumped to the moon, as the saying goes. Yet today, it seems that many of the promises have not been fulfilled.

Our report wants to give you, dear reader, valuable tools to find the best projects, the best tokens, the best funds and the best stocks to consider if you want to invest in this promising technology. We also want to educate you on what the metaverse is, and what it isn’t, so you can steer clear of hype machines and snake oil salesmen.

So, what is a metaverse? Is it always tied to blockchains and crypto tokens? Or is it something bigger? Let’s look at some definitions:

  • A proposed network of immersive online worlds experienced typically through virtual reality or augmented reality, in which users would interact with each other and purchase goods and services, some of which would exist only in the online world. (Britannica)
  • The internet considered as an imaginary area without limits where you can meet people in virtual reality. (Britannica)
  • A virtual-reality space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users. (Oxford Languages)
  • A shared virtual space. (Wikipedia)
  • Mentally replace the phrase “the metaverse” in a sentence with “cyberspace.” Ninety percent of the time, the meaning won’t substantially change. (Wired)
  • The metaverse is the next evolution in social connection and the successor to the mobile internet. (Meta Platforms)

What all of these definitions have in common is that they do not reference blockchain technology. All definitions contain a technology that let’s users connect, and many talk about “space.”

We would like to use the Oxford Languages definition for this report because it contains clues to what users can do in the metaverse. So, in one sentence, the metaverse is:

A virtual-reality space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users.

The metaverse is a virtual-reality space where users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users. Despite not always being tied to blockchain technology, the metaverse has gained significant attention in recent times, and investors are looking for opportunities in this promising technology. This report aims to help investors find the best projects, tokens, funds and stocks while also steering clear of hype machines and snake oil salesmen.

Outlook on Institutional Demand for Cryptocurrencies

As the world of cryptocurrencies and digital assets continues to grow, the opinions of professional investors remain divided. The Cointelegraph 2022 survey sheds light on the current sentiments among these investors, revealing a stark contrast with the results of a Fidelity survey. This article delves into the factors influencing institutional demand, the evolving landscape of blockchain technology, and the potential shift in investment focus towards applications of tokens.

Out of the 84 respondents from the Cointelegraph 2022 survey of professional investors, 48 reported that they are not currently owning cryptocurrencies. Out of those 48 people, two-thirds reported that they do not plan to ever invest in cryptocurrencies. On the other hand, onethird reported that they do plan to buy cryptocurrencies sometime in the future. This is in stark contrast to the results of the Fidelity survey which found 70% of the institutional investors are expected to buy digital assets in the future.

Is Your Company Planning to Invest in the Future?

A few anti-cryptocurrency respondents commented on why they do not own cryptocurrencies, commenting, “Crypto is pure speculation, where unlike Dutch tulips and other bubbles, there is no underlying asset base,” and “It’s rubbish and there is very little real risk management. Just smoke-and-mirrors,” and “I would rather invest in lottery tickets than crypto.”

Institutional demand is driven by the availability of sophisticated trading instruments, but it also drives their development — a classic chicken-and-egg dynamic. We’re seeing markets maturing but nowhere near the speed at which the digital assets and DeFi, in particular, innovate.

How has your perception of crypto assets changed over the last five years?

The last six years have been dominated by the fat protocol thesis of cryptocurrency investing. In a nutshell, it posits that the majority of value is captured at the protocol level in digital assets, and only a small portion at the application level.

That is likely to change soon, as blockspace becomes more of a commodity. Many blockchains have a more or less identical feature set by now, and Ethereum Virtual Machine compatibility plus improvements in bridging technology mean that applications can move from chain to chain or deploy on multiple platforms at once.

Bridging technology like Layer Zero, Quant and THORchain, to some extent, add one more option for institutional demand. But ultimately, blockchains are the medium of of transmission and storage. When we look at the historic development of telephone networks, we can glimpse how this is likely to play out.

While a lot of values are captured on the “protocol” or infrastructure level initially, these companies do not worth even a fraction of the applications building on top of telecommunication infrastructure. Depending on the exact definition, it could be argued that 6 out of the 10 most valuable companies in the world are built on top of telecom infrastructure.

Which digital assets would your company be interested in investing into in future?

It is very much likely that this will repeat with blockchain technology, as it should, since a chain with no application other than the sending and receiving of tokens is very limited in value. This is why we assume that institutional investors will invest in the application of tokens in the near future to a higher degree than into native blockchains.

One major blocker into institutional demand for digital assets we have seen across the board is regulatory concerns. Banking is one of the most tightly regulated industries in the world, and as a result, bankers do not feel comfortable investing substantial amounts into assets with unclear legal implications.

The recent Tornado Cash sanctions placed tens of Ethereum addresses on a U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control list and illustrated the validity of legal concerns quite well. From one day to the next, transacting with these smart contracts could be fined with up to 30 years of jail, and substantial funds were frozen in the protocols vaults, even though they belong to users.

Another major concern is liquidity and market contagion. The collapse of TerraUSD (UST) was caused in part by the transaction bandwidth constraints of the Ethereum blockchain and lack of deep liquidity in even the largest stablecoin pools.

We expect institutional demand to start growing much faster when and if regulators offer clarity on the legal and tax implications of digital asset investments. This adoption will also solve most of the liquidity concerns. Institutional demand will enable institutional supply and vice versa. If transactions are taking place on chains themselves or on permissioned rollups or even in private pools, it will be interesting to see.

In conclusion, the future of blockchain technology and digital assets is expected to be shaped by the increasing value of applications built on top of the infrastructure. As the industry matures and blockchains offer similar features, the focus of institutional investors may shift from native blockchains to the applications of tokens. This transition could potentially mirror the historical development of the telecommunication infrastructure, with companies built on top of it becoming increasingly valuable.

This article is an extract from the 70+ page Institutional Demand for Cryptocurrencies Survey co-published by the Crypto Research Report and Cointelegraph Consulting, written by multiple authors and supported by Flow Trader, sFox, Zeltner & Co., xGo, veve, LCX, Finoa, Lisk, Shyft, Bequant, Phemex, GMI.

Presail Leads the Investment Infrastructure Revolution in Web 3.0

Presail, a pioneer in the investment infrastructure space, is proud to announce its latest paper, highlighting the significance of investment infrastructure in the Web 3.0 era. As a trusted industry leader, Presail is at the forefront of this transformative movement, driving innovation and shaping the future of decentralized finance.

The article, titled “Exploring the Future of Finance: Web 3.0 Investment Infrastructure” provides valuable insights into the emerging field of investment infrastructure and its pivotal role in the decentralized ecosystem. In an ever-evolving financial landscape, Presail recognizes the critical importance of streamlining and optimizing investment processes to foster growth and financial inclusion.

Presail’s article delves into the unique characteristics and challenges of the Web 3.0 investment landscape. It highlights the need for advanced tools, platforms, and services tailored to the specific requirements of fundraising, token distribution, and investor management in the decentralized and token-based economy.

“We are excited to share our knowledge and expertise as we embark on creating the investment infrastructure for Web 3.0” said Sebastian Almnes, CEO of Presail.

The article explores the unaddressed challenges that investment infrastructure aims to solve, such as incompatibility with traditional systems, the emergence of new financial instruments, community-centered investments, advanced compliance and risk assessment, blockchain compatibility and integration, and the importance of accurate cap table management.

Presail’s proactive approach to addressing these challenges has positioned the company as a trusted partner for projects and investors seeking streamlined and efficient investment solutions. With its cutting-edge investment infrastructure platform, Presail offers a comprehensive suite of tools and services that enable seamless fundraising, investor management, token distribution, and compliance processes.

“We firmly believe that investment infrastructure is the catalyst for unlocking the full potential of Web 3.0,” added Almnes. “Presail is committed to providing the necessary infrastructure and support for projects and investors to thrive in this decentralized economy.”

As an industry leader, Presail’s article aims to drive awareness and foster collaboration within the investment infrastructure space. By sharing valuable insights and expertise, Presail continues to shape the future of decentralized finance and empower individuals and organizations to participate in the Web 3.0 revolution.

To read the full article, “Investment Infrastructure: Empowering the Web 3.0 Economy,” visit the Presail website at www.presail.com.

About Presail

Presail is a leading provider of investment infrastructure solutions, revolutionizing the investment landscape within the Web 3.0 ecosystem. With its comprehensive platform, Presail addresses the unique challenges faced by projects and investors in the decentralized finance space. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and industry expertise, Presail empowers individuals and organizations to unlock the full potential of Web 3.0 and embrace the benefits of decentralized finance.

Obstacles to Institutional Cryptocurrency Adoption

Asset managers revealed the most significant perceived risks when investing in cryptocurrencies, rating liquidity risk as the most important risk, according to a recent survey. This starkly contrasts with the 2020 survey of professional investors, which identified regulatory risk as the most significant perceived risk.

Asset managers were asked to rate the importance of perceived risks when investing in crypto assets; the possible risks were the following: liquidity risks, operational risks (technological risks), cybercrime and fraud, regulatory risks, and market risks (volatility). All of the risks mentioned are in the “important spectrum” of the charts. However, the most important risk for those surveyed was liquidity risk.

Liquidity Risks

Source: Cointelegraph Research

This is a stark difference from the 2020 Cointelegraph survey of professional investors. In 2020, regulatory risk was the most important perceived risk. Almost 80% of the sample fell in the “important region” of the graph.

Operational Risks (e.g. Technological risks)

Source: Cointelegraph Research

With approximately 71% and 70% of responses in the “important region,” market risk and liquidity were ranked as the second and third most important risks, respectively.

Cybercrime and Fraud

Source: Cointelegraph Research

Operational and cybercrime risks have the same number of responses in the “important region” (~ 68%). Institutional buyers display a higher degree of sophistication than their retail counterparts. High liquidity and ability to hedge price fluctuations are among the top requirements before institutions are comfortable deploying meaningful amounts of capital.

Would your company like to invest more but are bound by regulatory restrictions?

Source: Cointelegraph Research

Another blocker for institutional investors is the uncertain regulatory environment and the murky tax implications of holding cryptocurrencies on their balance sheet. As much as crypto proponents decry regulatory creep, it has to be admitted that no pension fund, no money manager and no savings and loan bank will invest considerable sums into digital assets without regulatory clarity. It is up to the industry to engage in dialogue with lawmakers worldwide and demonstrate thought leadership. This way, the thinking of regulators can be informed and decisions-guided. Looking from a perspective of institutional demand, we can only hope that the adversarial thinking that is so prevalent in crypto gives way to a pragmatic approach focused on engagement and education.

Market risks (e.g. Volatility)

Source: Cointelegraph Research

The 2020 Cointelegraph survey found that price volatility was the main barrier to adoption, followed by a lack of fundamentals to gauge value and concerns around market manipulation; however, investors cited less concern about complexity for institutions and market infrastructure complexity than previously.

Would you like to invest more but are bound by internal company restrictions?

Source: Cointelegraph Research

The uncertain regulatory environment and murky tax implications of holding cryptocurrencies on balance sheets are blockers for institutional investors. The industry needs to engage in dialogue with lawmakers worldwide to create regulatory clarity and demonstrate thought leadership to inform regulators’ thinking. While price volatility was previously cited as the main barrier to adoption, investors now express less concern about complexity for institutions and market infrastructure complexity.

This article is an extract from the 70+ page Institutional Demand for Cryptocurrencies Survey co-published by the Crypto Research Report and Cointelegraph Consulting, written by multiple authors and supported by Flow Trader, sFox, Zeltner & Co., xGo, veve, LCX, Finoa, Lisk, Shyft, Bequant, Phemex, GMI.

How the Cryptocurrency Market changed in Europe

With assets in ETPs and mutual funds with cryptocurrency exposure exceeding 10.5 billion euros, Europeans are adopting cryptocurrencies through providers like XBT and 21Shares. Ruffer Investment Management made a $745-million bet on Bitcoin in December 2020 to hedge against risks in a fragile economy, while DeFi protocols have boosted the cryptocurrency industry in Central, Northern and Western Europe, according to Chainalysis.

In terms of crypto adoption, Europeans aren’t lagging behind. Assets in European exchange-traded products (ETPs) and mutual funds with cryptocurrency exposure have topped 10.5 billion euros, according to Morningstar data, showing the potential appeal of these products for asset managers.

XBT, part of CoinShares, is the largest provider in Europe, with assets of 5.4 billion euros across eight products domiciled in Sweden and Jersey, followed by Swiss group 21Shares, which manages 2.1 billion euros across its range.

Ruffer Investment Management, a fund manager based in Britain, made a $745-million bet on Bitcoin in December 2020. Ruffer’s allocation fetched $27.3 billion in assets, which it claimed would work as a hedge. It effectively secured 6,500 clients against the risks involved in a fragile digital economy.

Central, Northern & Western Europe Share of Transaction Volume by Transfer Size, Apr ‘19 – Jun ‘21

DeFi, a blanket term for a network of decentralized, noncustodial financial protocols focused on lending, yield farming, crypto derivatives and other products, has reportedly given a huge boost to the cryptocurrency industry in England, France, Germany and other European countries.

According to Chainalysis, European institutional investors are embracing DeFi; transaction volume in Central, Northern and Western Europe grew significantly across virtually all cryptocurrencies and service types, especially on DeFi protocols. An influx of institutional investment, signaled by large transactions, drove most of the growth.

As the cryptocurrency market continues to gain momentum in Europe, institutions are embracing new technologies like DeFi to fuel growth. With transaction volume growing significantly across the region, the future of cryptocurrency in Europe looks bright. As more institutional investors jump on board and invest in cryptocurrencies, we can expect to see continued growth and adoption in the years ahead.

This article is an extract from the 70+ page Institutional Demand for Cryptocurrencies Survey co-published by the Crypto Research Report and Cointelegraph Consulting, written by multiple authors and supported by Flow Trader, sFox, Zeltner & Co., xGo, veve, LCX, Finoa, Lisk, Shyft, Bequant, Phemex, GMI.

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