According to data from the US Patent and Trademark Office, the American patent office, Mastercard applied for at least 15 brands related to cryptocurrencies, NFT and metaverse.
What could it have in the pipeline?
“Providing an online marketplace for buyers and sellers of downloadable digital goods and media authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs)” reads one of the applications filed by Mastercard, serial number of 97346029.
Another question suggests plans for downloadable, NFT-certified music files, as well as other multimedia assets (images, text, audio, and video).
Virtual planet, money and “real” events
“We are always looking for new and unique experiences for our consumers and cardholders. This is simply another step to ensure that our brand protection translates to any potential uses in the metaverse,” a Mastercard spokesperson said.
The global payments company has moved in two main directions.
Before, has created virtual cards that would allow them to accept payments for goods and services in the metaverse, including debit, credit and prepaid cards. A point of arrival after the "tests" carried out in January through the collaboration with Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange service.
Second, Mastercard has also applied for events and performances in the metaverse, in the fields of finance, cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
Covid has not only made organizing events and trips difficult, but has transformed their management forever. Many companies will increasingly develop mixed (or even just remote) initiatives in the metaverse as well.
An example: the Australian Open was held in the Decentraland metaverse, complete with NFTs with “pieces” of the playing field sold to users
For everything else there is Mastercard the metaverse
In summary: Mastercard's interest shows, beyond the various jokes, that the metaverse is a very concrete perspective. An arrival point which the economic giants are definitely aiming for. It is no coincidence that Facebook developed the Meta project and shifted its focus. And it is no coincidence that Goldman Sachs' analysis predicts a value of up to 8 trillion dollars for this virtual world.
By 2030, the metaverse market will grow by 1300%. You read that right. Who can, get ready. Wearing a headset? No.
Wearing a vision.
