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Metaverses are virtual worlds where you can work, play, socialize, and learn. But might they become a multi-trillion dollar industry one day? Find out.

Why Ark Invest's Cathie Wood Thinks the Metaverse Will Be Worth Trillions Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Skip to main contentEnable accessibility for visually impairedOpen the accessibility menu Open the Accessible Navigation Menu Your web browser (Chrome 68) has a serious security vulnerability! Update your browser for more security, speed and the best experience on this site. Using this browser may cause issues with rendering on this page. Update browser Ignore This device is too small If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience. Skip to main content Editorial Disclosure We have not reviewed all available products or offers. Compensation may impact the order of which offers appear on page, but our editorial opinions and ratings are not influenced by compensation. 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It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page. Image source: Getty Images Metaverses may seem like science fiction, but they could one day be a core part of our lives. Key points Cathie Wood believes metaverses could infiltrate every sector of the economy.Metaverses are virtual worlds where you can work, play, and earn.It isn't yet clear what shape metaverses will take. Check out our picks for best crypto apps (Bonuses, $0 commissions, and more) The idea of a metaverse -- a virtual world where you can work, play, and learn -- may sound more suited to science fiction than a financial website. That's not surprising since the term comes from Neal Stephenson's cyberpunk novel "Snow Crash."But the term has taken on a life of its own, especially as big companies like Facebook (now Meta) and Microsoft have announced their own metaverse plans. And Ark Invest's Cathie Wood believes this is only the start.What is the metaverse?The idea of metaverses is still evolving and there are several different definitions. But the simplest way to understand them is that they are interconnected virtual universes. You don't need virtual reality equipment to access them, you can enter a metaverse through your computer browser or even a phone. Discover: Best places to buy bitcoinMore: Check out our updated list of best crypto apps including one offer with a $100 crypto bonus Metaverses have their own economies. Right now, they use cryptocurrencies as a form of payment. Two top blockchain metaverses we can visit today are Sandbox (SAND) and Decentraland (MANA), and you'll need their tokens to buy items in each world.One aspect of these worlds that's caught people's attention is that you can buy and develop virtual real estate. Metaverse land sales have already attracted significant sums of money. According to DappRadar, land sales on Sandbox generated $86 million in trading volume in the final week of November.Land and other metaverse items come in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). These are essentially ownership certificates for digital items, so you -- and not the company that runs the metaverse -- own the items you create or buy in these worlds. Our top crypto play isn't a token - Here’s why We’ve found one company that’s positioned itself perfectly as a long-term picks-and-shovels solution for the broader crypto market — Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and all the others. In fact, you've probably used this company's technology in the past few days, even if you've never had an account or even heard of the company before. That's how prevalent it's become.Sign up today for Stock Advisor and get access to our exclusive report where you can get the full scoop on this company and its upside as a long-term investment. Learn more and get started today with a special new member discount. Get started Why Cathie Wood thinks it will be worth trillionsCathie Wood is Ark Invest's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer. She has a reputation as a prolific stock picker who focuses on innovation and disruptive technologies. The well-known investor told CNBC the metaverse is a multi-trillion dollar opportunity.Wood believes the metaverse will go way beyond the gaming and consumer goods industry -- she thinks it could infiltrate every sector of the economy. She believes the metaverse could be like other types of technology that now play a part in all corners of our lives.Wood is not alone in believing the metaverse is only getting started. A recent report from Grayscale said metaverses represent a $1 trillion market opportunity, and the CEO of Epic Games, Tim Sweeney, told a conference in mid-November that it could become a multi-trillion dollar part of the world economy.Should you invest?Metaverses may well become a trillion dollar industry, but it is still very early days. We don't yet know how they will unfold or which metaverses will capture people's attention. And we don't know for sure that this isn't a passing phase. There's been talk of these virtual worlds before and they haven't managed to reach the mainstream.The involvement of big corporations does make it more likely that this time will be different. But as an investor, the challenge is that those same corporations may not want to rely on existing decentralized cryptocurrencies. It simply isn't clear what shape the metaverse industry will take.The prices of metaverse cryptocurrencies are soaring right now because so many people are scared of missing out on the next big thing. That's great news if you already own metaverse tokens. But be cautious if you're thinking of buying now -- speculation often pushes crypto prices to unsustainable highs and the prices may fall again in the coming months. There can be big benefits to investing early, but it also carries more risks.As with any crypto investment, it's important to only spend money you can afford to lose and make sure you buy from a reputable cryptocurrency exchange. Try not to let fear of missing out drive your decisions -- take your time and research each metaverse token carefully before jumping in. About the Author Emma Newbery icon-button-linkedin-2x Emma owns the English-language newspaper The Bogota Post. She began her editorial career at a financial website in the U.K. over 20 years ago and has been contributing to The Ascent since 2019. Share This Page Facebook Icon This icon shares the page you are on via Facebook Blue Twitter Icon Share this website with Twitter LinkedIn Icon This image links to share the page over LinkedIn. Email Icon Share this website with email We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team. Emma Newbery owns Decentraland and Sandbox. Teresa Kersten, an employee of LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. The Motley Fool owns and recommends Meta Platforms, Inc. and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Many or all of the products here are from our partners that pay us a commission. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page. 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Why Ark Invest’s Cathie Wood Thinks the Metaverse Will Be Worth Trillions