Is the Metaverse a new investment opportunity or just a passing trend?

In recent years, the term Metaverse has become widely discussed in the technology and investment sectors. Whether it’s digital currencies like Sand Coin and Mana Coin that greatly satisfy investors, or even the strategic shifts of leading tech companies that are beginning to focus on this area, Metaverse is not limited to the cryptocurrency market alone. Investors can access it through stocks, mutual funds, or digital assets in various ways.

What is Metaverse? Why is it important?

Metaverse is a concept of a virtual reality world that combines technology to create a lively online experience. Users can create virtual characters (Avatar) on 3D graphics and interact with others as if they are in the same space, even if they are physically distant.

Besides collaborative activities, users can freely buy and sell characters, digital land, or artworks, which have real market value. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Metaverse demonstrated its potential to solve problems where humans cannot meet in person. Students can learn online, employees can attend meetings from their screens, and businesspeople can continue trading seamlessly.

Technologies driving the Metaverse

Metaverse is not created by a single technology but is a combination of various technologies:

Communication networks (5G/6G) enable high-speed, stable transmission of voice, images, and videos.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) empowers systems to process data and simulate human-like behaviors.

Blockchain and NFTs ensure digital assets are protected, verified, and exchanged securely.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) serve as gateways for users to access the virtual world.

How to invest in the Metaverse

If you’re interested in investing in the Metaverse, there are several options, each with different risk levels:

Stocks of related companies

Manufacturers of VR devices such as Meta Platforms Inc and HP enable users to enter the virtual world. Chipmakers Nvidia and AMD are central to processing. Software developer Unity provides a platform for creating Metaverse environments. Companies like Amazon and Microsoft provide the necessary cloud infrastructure, and gaming platforms like Roblox play a significant role in building virtual environments.

If you prefer not to directly enter the Metaverse, investing in these companies’ stocks is considered safer because, even if the Metaverse market declines, these companies still have other projects.

NFTs and Digital Assets

Investors can buy and sell NFTs, which may include characters, digital land, or artworks, on various blockchain platforms. These assets are secure due to smart contracts and can be freely exchanged without intermediaries.

Digital currencies for the Metaverse

The Metaverse requires a medium of exchange similar to real-world currency. Digital currencies like Sand Coin (SAND) are tokens of the platform The Sandbox used for buying and selling assets and staking. Other prominent currencies include Mana Coin (MANA), Axie Infinity Shards (AXS), Solana (SOL), and Ape Coin, whose values may increase as the Metaverse gains wider acceptance.

History and inspiration of the Metaverse

The term Metaverse combines “Meta” (beyond) and “Verse” (universe). It first appeared in 1992 in Neal Stephenson’s science fiction novel “Snow Crash.” The story describes a future world where humans and computer systems communicate and interact through various technologies in a virtual space. This concept has inspired developers worldwide ever since.

Real-life applications of the Metaverse

In education

Students can explore the solar system through 3D simulations, attend virtual classes instead of being at home, and interact with teachers and peers. During crises like COVID-19, online education via the Metaverse has become a vital solution.

In industry

Companies can simulate machinery design and production environments in virtual worlds before actual manufacturing, reducing costs and quality issues.

In healthcare

Doctors can provide virtual services and monitor patients remotely, perform virtual surgeries for training, and utilize medical data efficiently.

The difference between the Metaverse and the Internet

Internet is a network that connects information. Users access it through searches (Search) via websites and applications.

Metaverse is a virtual world built on the Internet network. Users enter by wearing VR/AR devices and represent themselves as virtual characters to interact with others and perform various activities.

To compare, the Internet is like the infrastructure, while the Metaverse is the city built upon that space.

The future of the Metaverse to look forward to

Currently, the Metaverse is still in its early stages. Platforms lack stability and realism, partly due to limitations of 5G systems. However, as technology advances to 6G and Web3, people will find it easier to access the Metaverse and perform activities in real-time.

This is no longer a distant future. Rapid development of technology and internet networks, along with increasing online lifestyles—from students to entrepreneurs—make investing in the Metaverse a future-oriented option you should consider.