The metavese is about to become a key concept in technological and economic environments. But what is the metavese? This term describes an virtual world where we can interact, exchange and even work thanks to technological advances such as virtual reality (VR) , augmented reality (AR) blockchain technologies such as decentralized finance ( DeFi ), NFTS , and web3 . At the intersection of digital and physical life, the metavese could transform the experiences of play, work, and even our economic exchanges.
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Origin and concept of metavese
The term "metavers" was introduced for the first time in the science fiction novel Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson, published in 1992. In this book, the metavese is a virtual universe where users can connect thanks to virtual reality headsets and move into a three-dimensional space, interacting with each other in the form of avatars. Unlike a classic online video game, where players generally follow a predefined story or objectives, the Snow Crash is thought of as a space -free space, a real parallel world where you can freely socialize, build virtual places, and carry out various activities. Today, the concept of metavers has taken a new dimension thanks to the advances of blockchain, in particular with the integration of decentralized finance ( DeFi ) and NFTS, allowing a real digital economy and the property of virtual active ingredients .
Metate and decentralized finance (DeFi)
Decentralized finance (DeFi) represents an important part of the metavese as an economic engine for these virtual universes. Thanks to the DeFi, users can manage their cryptocurrency portfolios, get loans, and even buy virtual goods. This integration allows everyone to actively participate in financial transactions in the metavese without going through centralized institutions. For example, you can buy a virtual plot in Decentraland, then use a DeFi loan to finance other investments in the metavers, and even gain interest.
NFTS: virtual assets
The NFTS (non-Fungible tokens or non-fongible tokens) play a central role in the metavese by offering the possibility of having unique digital assets, such as virtual works of art, game skins, or virtual real estate. Unlike physical goods, the NFTS provide proof of authenticity and ownership stored on the blockchain. This means that a good purchased in the metavese is truly possessed by its user, whether it is a plot of land, a digital work or even a unique game character. Axie Infinity, for example, uses NFTS to allow players to own and exchange virtual creatures.
Cryptocurrencies and virtual savings
Cryptocurrencies are the economic fuel of the metavers, serving as a means of exchange in these digital worlds. They allow users to buy goods, pay services, and even win yields in decentralized finance environments. For example, on The Sandbox , users use the $ Sand token to acquire virtual goods, build games, and even rent their virtual land . This autonomous economy based on cryptos makes it possible to build a real virtual economy .
Web 3.0: the metavese infrastructure
The web 3.0, often called the "new internet", provides the essential technical infrastructure to operate the metavese. Unlike centralized 2.0 web platforms, such as social networks or e-commerce sites where data management is controlled by companies, the web3 is based on decentralization and transparency. This means that, thanks to technologies such as blockchain, users can access services without using intermediaries, creating increased autonomy and safety.
One of the key aspects of the web3 is the management of identities via crypto portfolios. Instead of using an e-mail address to connect, users can access various services through their portfolio , which serves both as an identity and a personal account. For example, a user can access virtual worlds in the metavers, buy NFTS, or interact with decentralized finance applications ( DeFi ) without creating a new account for each platform.
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This method strengthens ownership of digital assets, because all information and goods, such as avatars or virtual goods, are recorded directly in the user's portfolio.
Concretely, this infrastructure makes it possible to fluidly integrate several services and applications into the metavese. Examples include direct transactions with NFTS, access to financial services in DeFi to borrow or lend cryptocurrencies, or participation in DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations). Thanks to the web3, the metavese becomes an interoperable ecosystem where the user has full ownership of his assets and his identity.
Key technologies: virtual reality and augmented reality
reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) play distinct roles in the experience of the metavers, although their use is not systematic to access all metovers.
Virtual reality creates an immersive digital environment in which users can move and interact as if they were really present in another world. This often requires a VR helmet, like those of Meta (formerly Oculus), to transport the user in a 3D space. For example, in a virtual meeting, participants could meet around a digital table and interact with 3D documents and presentations, as if they were in a real meeting room.
On the other hand, augmented reality superimposes virtual elements in the real world, enriching our daily environment of information and digital objects. Augmented reality glasses or even smartphones can add elements, such as navigation indications or interactive objects, in physical space. For example, an AR shopping application would place a virtual piece of furniture in your living room before buying it.
The term metavese designates a shared virtual universe where users interact via avatars or digital identities, but it does not necessarily require the use of VR or AR. For example, The Sandbox , a metavese -type game, allows users to build and explore virtual worlds without the obligation of VR or AR helmet. These technologies allow a further immersion, but are not essential to live the experience of a metavese.
Cases of use of metavers
Metavese applications are varied and affect many sectors:
- Gaming : Games like Axie Infinity allow players to have elements of the game thanks to the NFTS and win cryptocurrencies.
- Social networks : in the metavers, social networks take on a new dimension, offering 3D interactions between user avatars.
- Events and concerts : artists now organize concerts in virtual worlds, as was the case with Travis Scott in Fortnite .
- Remote work : Companies use virtual spaces to organize meetings by VR, thus recreating office interaction in a digital world.
Examples of metavese platforms
Certain platforms have imposed themselves as pioneers of the metavers, each offering unique experiences:
- Decentraland : A decentralized virtual world where users can buy, build, and monetize digital land.
- The Sandbox : A virtual environment based on Ethereum , where players can create games and experiences, buy and sell goods in $ Sand.
- Axie Infinity : a game where players have, raise and exchange creatures called "axies" which are in fact NFTS.
Impact on the real economy
The metavese goes beyond simple online experiences and begins to transform the real economy by generating new types of jobs. virtual architects and are more and more asked to create spaces in digital universes such as Decentraland or The Sandbox . These spaces range from offices and concert halls to art galleries and interactive stores. In virtual real estate , specialized agents help companies and individuals to buy and enhance digital plots , while communities of communities ensure animation and interaction within these spaces.
In the future, the metavese could give birth to professions such as " virtual tourist guides ", to explore VR universes, or " digital stylists ", to design exclusive clothing and accessories for avatars. The developers of augmented reality apps and VR technicians will also be in demand to push the limits of immersive interactions.
Towards a connected future: the potential of the metavese
In the future, the metavese could become a connected space where work, entertainment and trade meet. By combining the DeFi, the NFTS, the Web3 and the Cryptocurrencies, the Metavese can create a new way of interacting with the digital world, offering total immersion and income opportunities.
FAQ on the metavese
What is the metavese?
It is an immersive virtual world based on technologies such as VR, NFTS, blockchain and web3.Why are NFTs important in metovers?
The NFTS allow you to have virtual goods, from art to the field, and to exchange them safely.How are cryptocurrencies used in the metavese?
They serve as a currency of exchange to buy virtual goods and services and also make it possible to generate income.What is the link between the web3 and the metavese?
The web3 provides the decentralized infrastructure which ensures the transparency, safety and interoperability of metavers' platforms.
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Yohan Uzzan
Training engineer, I quickly became interested in the field of finance. Convinced that decentralized finance has a bright future ahead of it, I participate in its democratization by developing Crypternon.
