What is the virtual world (Metaverse)? Is it really capable of changing the world?

At the end of 2021, news about the virtual world created a chill in the crypto industry, especially digital game coins like Sand Coin and Mana Coin, which generated huge income for many investors. This also coincided with Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement to rename Facebook to emphasize Metaverse development, increasing public interest in this concept.

This article will help you understand what Metaverse is, its importance, and how to access it, along with investment channels related to this future technology.

How to Invest in Metaverse for Beginners

Before delving into the details of Metaverse, investors should know that there are several ways to invest in assets related to the virtual world.

1. Stocks related to Metaverse

Leading tech companies have invested in related fields, including:

• VR headset manufacturers: Meta Platforms Inc and HP
• Graphics card manufacturers: Nvidia and AMD
• Software development companies: Unity Software Inc
• Cloud service providers: Amazon and Microsoft
• Gaming platforms: Roblox

2. NFTs and virtual land

Investors can directly purchase digital assets and land in the metaverse via blockchain platforms. NFTs are not only avatars but also include artworks and other creative works.

3. Metaverse cryptocurrencies

Related cryptocurrencies such as SAND, MANA, AXS, and SOL have the potential to increase in value if the development of the metaverse succeeds.

What is the Metaverse?

The Metaverse, or virtual reality world, is a technology that creates a digital environment making users feel as if they are in the real world. Users can create 3D avatars to perform various activities such as meetings, gaming, information searching, and most importantly, digital asset trading.

In terms of investment, users can buy and sell characters, digital land, NFTs, and more on various platforms using cryptocurrency as a medium of exchange.

Although there is no single clear definition of the Metaverse, it generally represents a vision of the future internet network that is three-dimensional and supports continuous business, communication, and data flow.

The importance of the Metaverse in daily life

As our world enters the era of the Metaverse, it brings changes to users’ lifestyles, including communication, work, meetings, education, and business activities. All activities become faster and more efficient.

The COVID-19 situation has demonstrated the importance of this technology, as students couldn’t attend classrooms, employees couldn’t go to offices, and entrepreneurs couldn’t conduct regular trade. The Metaverse has become a solution that makes life easier.

Origin and history of the Metaverse

The term “Metaverse” comes from combining “Meta” and “Verse” (universe), first appearing in 1992 by American science fiction writer Neal Stephenson in his novel “Snow Crash,” which describes a future world where humans and computer systems communicate and interact through virtual reality.

This novel laid out many technological development directions and inspired developers worldwide to turn this dream into reality.

Technologies driving the Metaverse

( 1. Communication infrastructure

Advanced network systems from 5G to 6G are fundamental, emphasizing high speed, low energy consumption, and stable transmission of high-definition audio and video.

) 2. Session management

Technologies that manage and coordinate data relationships to make the Metaverse more realistic and better connected to the real world.

3. Artificial Intelligence ###AI###

AI processes data, simulates human behavior, and creates human-like thinking systems with 100% accuracy.

( 4. Blockchain technology

Blockchain acts as a bridge between the real world and the virtual world, utilizing technologies like Distributed Storage and Distributed Computing, enabling digital assets to be held and traded securely.

) 5. AR/VR technology

• AR ###Augmented Reality###: Projects 3D objects viewable through glasses or smartphone cameras.
• VR (Virtual Reality): Creates realistic virtual environments.

Characteristics and features of the Metaverse

( Virtual social world

The Metaverse combines social media layouts with virtual reality to create an interactive 3D environment )Interactive Social Simulation### based on four key aspects:

Realism: Users must experience emotions and feelings genuinely in the social world.

Popularity: Must have a large user base from various electronic devices and locations worldwide.

Collaboration: The Metaverse needs to solve issues related to online meetings, remote work, and distant communication.

Scalability: The system must maintain stability and smooth interactions even with a massive number of users.

( Privacy in the Metaverse

The Metaverse has developed technologies called “Social Clone” and Privacy Framework to prevent threats and protect user privacy.

How to access the Metaverse

In reality, we are already in the Metaverse; we just may not realize it, mainly due to the internet network.

Using Oculus glasses: Watching movies or videos through 3D glasses that provide 360-degree views, making you feel as if in a virtual world, though quite expensive.

Using general AR glasses: Such as Ray-Ban with AR features that allow listening to music, answering calls, video calls, taking photos, and displaying maps, weather, news directly on the glasses.

Other electronic devices: Computers, smartphones, tablets connected to the internet and the Metaverse platform.

The role of Cryptocurrency and NFTs in the Metaverse

The Metaverse gained renewed interest at the end of 2021 due to blockchain-driven activities, including data transfer, gaming, and NFT trading.

The expansion of cryptocurrencies alongside the Metaverse allows people to buy objects, digital assets, and real estate in virtual worlds. Therefore, the Metaverse needs a medium of exchange similar to real-world currency—namely, “cryptocurrency” or “Metaverse Crypto.”

A popular example is SAND from The Sandbox, a token that enables users to trade assets, earn rewards, and stake for income.

If the Metaverse trend continues to develop and grow in popularity, the value of these cryptocurrencies may also increase.

Practical applications of the Metaverse in real life

) Education

The Metaverse is used to teach sciences such as the solar system and sky simulation, making it easier for students to understand. It also serves as an online learning platform, replacing traditional education.

Industry

Used for designing and simulating factory machinery systems before actual production, helping to solve problems directly and visualize clearly.

Medical field

The Metaverse is applied in telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and medical data analysis, improving healthcare efficiency and data reliability.

Opportunities and challenges of the Metaverse

Opportunities: Over the past two years, many leading platforms have developed Metaverse technologies to attract users. When successful, the global economy will undoubtedly change positively.

Challenges: Investment in development, the scarcity of general users, and the difficulty for IT companies to access this technology.

Difference between Metaverse and the Internet

Internet: Like a creator or builder.

Metaverse: The environment that is created.

• Internet: Users access by “searching” ###Search### for information on websites or apps.
• Metaverse: Users “live in” a virtual environment, representing themselves, performing activities, and interacting with others.

The future of the Metaverse

The future of the Metaverse depends on the development of internet networks. Our world is moving toward a basic Metaverse society, with platforms continuously improving realism.

As internet technology advances from 5G to 6G and into Web3, people will find it easier to access the Metaverse. Everything will be displayed in real-time without additional costs, and investors at all levels will be able to access and enjoy the virtual world more easily than today.

Studying the Metaverse shows it is not far from us, as technology and internet networks develop rapidly, and people are gradually living more of their lives online—whether students, workers, or entrepreneurs. The Metaverse is definitely stepping into reality.