Into the Metaverse

The landscape for metaverse exchange traded funds (ETFs) is exploding, with 14 funds launched around the world and the possibility for that to double before the end of 2022. Rebecca Sin, Bloomberg Intelligence’s Asia ETF analyst, joins Yon and Matthew to break down the boom in metaverse ETFs, the outlook for new funds and asset accumulation and how she views the divergence in performance and fund flows for the sector. Check out: Metaverse's $80 Billion ETF Assets by 2024 Virtually a Reality {NSN R79JN4T0AFBB }

Blockchain, non-fungible tokens and other crypto technologies are shaping up to play a big role in the development of the metaverse. Nicolas Pouard, the Vice President of Ubisoft’s Innovation Lab and the head of the company’s blockchain initiatives, discusses the key benefits of blockchain and NFTs in virtual worlds, the early lessons from the company’s Quartz pilot program and the opportunity for create-to-earn games.

The metaverse is entering 2022 in the heart of its hype cycle, with companies across industries rapidly shaping their plans and strategies for this burgeoning next technology platform. Still, 2022 could the year where hype abates and the focus shifts back towards substance, development and the long-term vision for the metaverse. Supersocial co-founder and CEO Yonatan Raz-Fridman and Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Analyst Matthew Kanterman break down the hype cycle, the excitement of unlocking the creator economy and digital self-identity in the metaverse and provide some thoughts on virtual land sales on decentralized platforms.

The burgeoning metaverse market is attracting tons of investment, accelerated by Facebook’s name change to Meta Platforms and companies including Microsoft, Alphabet, Apple and Nvidia outlining their strategies while others including Epic Games, Roblox, Unity and Tencent push on with the development of their strategies. Mario Stefanidis, the Vice President of Research at Roundhill Investments, talks about taking the long-view for developing the metaverse, the potential impact of blockchain and NFT’s on the industry and massive success of Roundhill’s Ball Metaverse ETF. Bloomberg Intelligence, the research arm of Bloomberg L.P., provides in-depth analysis and data on more than 2,000 companies and 130 industries. On the Bloomberg terminal, run BI . Mario Stefanidi:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-stefanidis/ Check out Roundhill's ETF: https://www.roundhillinvestments.com/etf/meta/

The use of blockchain, cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) – collectively known as “Web 3” technologies – will help to drive parts of the metaverse through consumer demand for ownership of virtual items and experiences. Ryan Gill, the CEO of Crucible, a Managing Director of the Open Meta Foundation and long-time Web 3 advocate, breaks down the opportunity and discusses the NFT opportunity, why Web 3 technologies make sense for the metaverse and the need for open standards to drive the development of this next big technology platform.

Building the metaverse is going to take significant technology investment for several years. Marc Petit, the VP and General Manager of Unreal Engine at Epic Games, breaks down the emerging enabling technologies that are driving the metaverse, the role that real-time 3d software plays in the sector and the future of the Internet.

In the inaugural episode of "Into the Metaverse," BI Senior Analyst Matthew Kanterman and Supersocial founder and CEO Yonatan Raz-Fridman discuss the current developments within metaverse.