The Metaverse is a network of interconnected virtual and augmented spaces where users can interact through digital avatars. These environments serve various purposes, including education, socializing, entertainment, and more. The virtual nature of the metaverses raises significant questions regarding ownership and access to funds. As a result, payments and security play a crucial part when designing a virtual world.
Some of the most prominent metaverse platforms today are Decentraland and The Sandbox, which have their own native tokens. In Decentraland, you can purchase the LAND token, which represents ownership of virtual real estate. Similarly, in the Sandbox, the SAND token is used to buy and sell virtual assets while granting holders governance rights within the platform.
What are Metaverse Cryptocurrencies?
Metaverse cryptocurrencies function as a medium of exchange for goods and assets within these digital worlds. Payments can be made with both coins and tokens, depending on the specific metaverse. Coins are typically used to purchase virtual assets and digital real estate, and as intermediaries between fiat currencies and crypto tokens. On the other hand, tokens often represent ownership of specific in-game goods or assets. They are frequently exchanged for other cryptocurrencies, with rare exceptions involving fiat currency.
As a general rule, metaverse cryptocurrencies are not typically considered sound investments, as their utility is largely confined to the virtual worlds they operate within.
The Metaverse Growth Potential
As of February 2025, the virtual reality coins market cap is valued at $184 billion. Augmented reality tokens market cap values at nearly $54 billion. According to Statista, this market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 37.43%, resulting in a projected market volume of $507.8 billion by 2030.
Meta (formerly Facebook) is actively developing its own metaverse. However, the company’s attempt to launch a cryptocurrency, Libra, failed after regulatory pushback and was eventually sold three years later. To date, Meta has not provided official updates on any further investments in this area.
The recent integration of Apple Pay into Coinbase is just the first step toward broader cryptocurrency adoption. Despite Apple stock growth, the company’s stance on cryptocurrency remains cautious. Apple’s Vision Pro, a $1.4 billion failure, could have marked an entry into the metaverse, but Tim Cook recently stated that Apple will not integrate crypto payments for its devices or subscriptions. Nevertheless, the future of technology remains uncertain.
This contrasts with other tech giants like Tesla and Microsoft, which have embraced crypto payments for select products. Their more open approach may pave the way for future integrations into the metaverse.
It’s not far-fetched to imagine a future where users power on their Xbox, log into Meta’s virtual world, using OpenAI’s World ID on an Apple Vision Pro 2.0, drive a digital Tesla to a digital McDonald’s, and receive instant deliveries from Amazon, with payments made entirely in crypto.
