In 1992, writer Neal Stephenson released his third novel, titled “Snow Crash.” In it, Stephenson’s characters interact in a completely digital environment where appearances can be changed on a whim and digital real estate is just as valuable as its real-life counterpart. Stephenson called his digital environment “the Metaverse.”

Twenty-eight years later, public companies like Meta (formerly Facebook) and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) like the Decentraland Foundation have been working to make the metaverse a profitable reality. That has opened up entirely new revenue opportunities for retail investors, gamers, digital collectors and developers.

It’s important to note, however, that the metaverse is still in its infancy and its value proposition has yet to be proven. Any investment in the metaverse should be considered speculative and highly risky.

Read More: Virtual Beers and Digital Orgasms: Welcome to the Age of Metaverse Commerce

The least volatile option for retail investors seeking to buy into the metaverse is to invest in publicly traded companies whose business models or profitability are tied to the metaverse. The list includes:

Although the metaverse is still in its infancy, platforms like The Sandbox and Decentraland have already begun selling digital real estate in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), digital tokens on blockchain networks that can represent a wide range of unique items. When an individual purchases a piece of metaverse land, the blockchain network powering the metaverse platform verifies the sale and transfer of ownership.

Once the virtual real estate is purchased, the owner of the metaverse land NFT can rent, sell or build on his digital property. Japanese video game maker Atari recently purchased 20 parcels of digital land in Decentraland and created its very own crypto casino. Using its own native ERC20-based Atari token, gamblers can place bets and receive winnings in crypto tax-free. Atari has also announced plans to launch its own virtual hotel complex in 2022.

Several metaverse platforms have created marketplaces where users can buy and sell digital land and other collectibles in the form of NFTs. Here is how to do it.

Metaverse projects on blockchain networks are powered by fungible tokens – tokens that are divisible and can be mutually exchanged. These tokens are used to purchase digital assets like virtual land or outfits for avatars. They can also be traded for other crypto or fiat currencies. Certain metaverse cryptocurrencies also allow their owners to vote on decisions within a metaverse platform such as where money should be invested or which new features to release first.

Theoretically, as the value of digital assets rise, so will the value of their associated tokens. Furthermore, some metaverse platforms like Decentraland burn all MANA tokens used to purchase digital assets, removing them permanently from circulation and increasing the value of the remaining tokens.

Below are metaverse tokens listed in descending order by size of market capitalization (market cap). These options are inherently risky and should be considered a speculative investment. As a general rule, it’s advisable to never invest more than you are willing to lose.

Companies heavily invested in the metaverse are spending millions of dollars convincing consumers that the dawn of the metaverse is upon us. But will it usher in an era of mass adoption and barrier-free digital interaction or will it be a niche product, reserved for gamers and future tech enthusiasts? Only time will tell. For now, retail investors interested in the metaverse should explore these platforms and consider the metaverse’s future value for themselves.

Edited on 3/17/2022 to reflect changes in market capitalization of tokens or coins mentioned in this article.