If you are interested in the world of crypto-currencies, crypto assets or the internet, you have probably already heard of the metaverse. After the web and web 2, this web 3 is based on virtual reality and is currently arousing significant enthusiasm, whether among ordinary individuals or investors. But what is the metaverse? How does this virtual universe really work and what can you do there? And above all, how can you also invest in the metaverse? This is what we invite you to discover through this article and complete guide to the metaverse.
Metaverse around the world: key figures
– The metaverse market is growing steadily and exponentially: in 2020, its value was $478.7 billion. In 2022, it would be worth around $650 billion, and would reach $783.3 billion by 2024. In 2030, these revenues could exceed the $5 trillion mark.
– If we consider the Blockchain-based metaverses and the gaming market, we quickly reach 3 billion users worldwide.
– In 2021, the total value of the global mixed reality (including augmented reality) and virtual reality market reached $28 billion, and is expected to surpass $250 billion by 2028.
– According to Ramy Darwish, the most popular Blockchain-based metaverses are 5 in number.
– By the end of 2022, the number of mobile augmented reality users worldwide is expected to reach 1.1 billion, rising to 1.7 billion in 2024.
– Among the more than 160 companies that make up the metaverse, Meta occupies a central place (the company has already invested 10 billion dollars in the metaverse). Other companies like Microsoft, Google, Apple, NVIDIA, Epic Games, Decentraland, Roblox, Unity Software, Snapchat, Tinder, Nike, and Amazon are also popular in the metaverse.
– The main platforms used in the metaverse are Decentraland (mostly), Sandbox, Axie Infinity, Bloktopia, Roblox (growing), Illuvium and Bottom Line.
– The 3 cryptocurrencies with the largest market caps in 2022 are Ethereum (AXS, $228 billion), Decentraland (MANA, $2.36 billion) and The Sandbox (SAND, $1.73 billion) , according to data from Live Coin Watch.
– Metaverse stocks to watch in 2022 include Meta Platforms (FB), Roblox (RBLX), Unity Software (U), Nvidia (NVDA), Match Group (MTCH) and Take-Two Interactive (TTWO), after GoBankingRates and The Motley Fool. They would be promising given that the companies attached to them are booming.
– The regions of the world that are most involved in the development of the metaverse in terms of market share holding are North America (with 45.3% of market share), Europe and Asia Pacific ( for which a boom is expected in the next 8 years), according to a study by Emergen Research.
– According to an IPSOS study, the 5 countries in which the metaverse obtains the most positive feelings among the surveyed populations are China, India, Peru, Saudi Arabia and Colombia. Conversely, respondents in higher income countries (such as the United States, Switzerland or France) are less enthusiastic about the metaverse.
– With the development of colossal metaverse projects, new positions – existing or completely innovative – will be created by the thousands or even by the millions, particularly in the fields of 3D modelling, Blockchain and NFT development, and cyber- security.
– The largest land sale in the metaverse to date was on May 24, 2022 between Curzio Research, a financial publishing company, and TCG World, for 19 properties with a total value of $5 million .
Metaverse in Europe: key figures
– More than 120,000 stores in France will use AR technologies to offer a more innovative shopping experience by the end of 2022.
– Over the past six months, 2,328 articles have been published in the Swiss press on the metaverse.
– In 2022, 69% of Belgians understand what the metaverse is, i.e. more than two thirds of the population.
– Over this same year, 62% of French people do not see the interest of the metaverse, and three quarters of French people have fears about it.
– Meta has announced the hiring of 10,000 people in the next 5 years in the European Union in order to develop in this universe.
The metaverse market is expected to grow exponentially through 2030
The metaverse market is growing steadily and exponentially around the world: in 2020, its value was $478.7 billion. In 2022, it would represent approximately 650 billion dollars and it would reach 783.3 billion dollars in 2024. By 2030, these revenues could exceed the 5000 billion dollar mark.
Over 1.7 billion augmented reality users by 2024
The number of augmented reality users is growing exponentially around the world. Data published by Statista shows that:
– In 2022, there are expected to be 1.07 billion augmented reality users worldwide.
– This means that between 2019 and 2022, there were 630 million more users using this technology.
– By 2024, there are expected to be 660 million new augmented reality users worldwide. By then, nearly one in four humans are expected to use AR technology.
What is the metaverse?
The term metaverse actually refers to an evolving network of virtual worlds that are interconnected. These universes indeed allow real-time interaction between players who can work there and interact socially, carry out transactions there, play there and even create there.
The development of the metaverse is based on the virtualization that we have known for a few years and on advanced technologies such as virtual reality, optical sensors and other recent innovations.
The metaverse is first and foremost defined by undeniable factors which are the definition of digital identity, digital ownership, digital currencies and the universal transferability of digital assets. Thus, the metaverse sets up a real digital economy in a virtual world.
How does the metaverse work?
We enter the metaverse as an avatar where we interact with others by working, socializing, investing, and playing. A decentralized blockchain-based virtual economy looms large in this virtual world.
The concept today is still nebulous. It is much clearer to picture it by thinking of the metaverse as a transition to the next generations of the internet. This will mean greater online connectivity and wider acceptance of decentralized and VR/AR technologies in the decades to come.