3D Virtual Universe: How the Internet is Transformed by Metaverse and Crypto

Introduction: The Future of Online Interactions

The internet as we know it today is about to undergo a radical transformation. The connections between finance, virtual spaces, and the physical world are multiplying and deepening, giving us access to experiences and opportunities that until now existed only in science fiction. The blockchain ecosystem and decentralized applications are no longer marginal phenomena. Cryptocurrency transactions, unique digital collections (NFTs), play-to-earn games, and virtual social spaces have become part of today's reality, transforming our thinking about how we spend our time and earn money.

Metaverse: The Definition of an Evolving Digital Universe

What does the term metaverse actually mean? The concept describes a persistent, 3D digital ecosystem, online, made up of multiple interconnected virtual spaces. The idea is not new – it was initially described in Neal Stephenson's science fiction novel “Snow Crash” – but the transition from fiction to reality is accelerating. A metaverse will function similarly to the current internet, connecting different platforms and services through a unified interface, but explored through your avatars in a three-dimensional world.

In practice, it would work something like this: you can connect to a virtual office via a VR headset, finish a meeting with your colleagues, then trade cryptocurrencies within the same platform, and also relax by playing there. The essential difference: a significant part of what happens in the metaverse could generate real income.

Although the complete metaverse does not yet exist, its elements are already visible. Games like Second Life and Fortnite, professional socializing platforms such as Gather.town, and blockchain-native initiatives are laying the foundation for this distributed universe.

Video Games: Pioneers of the Metaverse Experience

Why are video games becoming the benchmark for the metaverse? The answer is not limited to 3D graphics. Developers have pushed beyond the traditional boundaries of gaming. Roblox hosts virtual concerts and business meetings. In Fortnite, a music tournament featuring the artist Travis Scott attracted 12.3 million simultaneous participants – not just players, but also spectators who gathered in a digital world to experience a show.

These are not just games; they are workspaces, socializing areas, and entertainment. Players spend hours here, and many of them have started to earn money from these activities, which leads us directly to the concept of GameFi and “play-to-earn” models.

The Role of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies in Building the Metaverse

Games provide the 3D structure and social elements, but for a truly functional metaverse, we need the foundation that blockchain can offer. This is why cryptocurrencies and distributed technology are essential:

Digital proof of ownership By holding a crypto wallet with access to private keys, you can instantly prove that you own a digital asset. For a person earning money in the metaverse and wanting to manage their wealth there, this is fundamental. A blockchain wallet is one of the most robust methods of establishing a digital identity and proving ownership.

Unique digital collections NFTs allow for the creation of 100% unique items that cannot be copied or counterfeited. For a metaverse that wants to incorporate elements of the real world – property, valuable possessions, rare items – this is crucial. Ownership of virtual items can be transferred and monetized.

Secure value transfer Any virtual economy needs a trusted currency for exchange. Currencies in traditional games are centrally controlled and vulnerable. Cryptocurrencies, on the other hand, offer transparent value transfer, protected by cryptography and decentralized.

Decentralized governance Users will want to have a say in decisions that affect the metaverse. Blockchain provides voting and decision-making mechanisms that are transparent and fair.

Global accessibility To create a blockchain wallet, you do not need to open a traditional bank account, pay fees, or provide documents. This makes it accessible for billions of people around the world.

Interoperability between platforms Projects like Polkadot (DOT) and Avalanche (AVAX) allow different blockchains to communicate and interact. The metaverse will not be a single platform, but a network of interconnected platforms.

Real Earnings from the Metaverse: Jobs in Virtual Worlds

The concept of earning money from activities in virtual worlds is no longer theoretical. Games like Axie Infinity and Gods Unchained are already giving thousands of people in developing countries the opportunity to generate consistent income. In Axie Infinity, by buying or receiving three creatures called Axies, a player can produce the SLP (Smooth Love Potion) token. By reselling these tokens on the open market, someone could earn between 200 USD and 1000 USD monthly, depending on activity and prices.

These examples are not isolated cases. GameFi models and “play-to-earn” are on the rise, and what we see today are the precursors to jobs in the metaverse. In the future, you will be able to enter a 3D office and interact with your colleagues' avatars, as well as earn metaverse currency without leaving your home.

Concrete Projects: What the Metaverse Looks Like Today

Although a unified version does not exist, we already have platforms that combine metaverse elements with blockchain and NFTs.

SecondLive is a 3D social environment where users' avatars meet for socializing, education, and business. The platform features an NFT marketplace for trading collectible items. In September 2020, SecondLive hosted the Binance Smart Chain Festival, a virtual exhibition where users explored and interacted with projects from the blockchain ecosystem.

Decentraland is a fully digital world built on blockchain, where users buy LAND ( parcels of virtual land measuring 16x16 meters) with the cryptocurrency MANA. NFTs are used for ownership and cosmetic items. Users have active control in the governance of the platform, and the economy is completely decentralized.

Axie Infinity does not have sophisticated 3D graphics, but its example illustrates the power of the metaverse: people spend entire days playing it, even though the game is simple, because they can earn real money. This demonstrates that the future of the metaverse does not necessarily depend on super-advanced graphics, but on real economic opportunities.

Who Builds the Metaverse: Tech Giants and Decentralized Developers

Facebook (Meta) has been one of the most vocal companies advocating for the creation of a unified metaverse. Mark Zuckerberg has explicitly mentioned plans to use the metaverse to support remote work and to open financial opportunities in developing countries. The fact that Facebook owns social networking and communication platforms, and has even invested in stablecoin projects ( such as Diem) gives it a competitive advantage.

Microsoft, Apple, and Google have also announced metaverse initiatives. However, the decentralized nature of blockchain allows smaller players to build and launch metaverse applications with organic user bases. The future is likely to be hybrid: a combination of large giants with decentralized solutions.

Next Steps: Integration and Convergence

The next stage of evolution for the metaverse seems to be a deeper integration between NFT markets and 3D virtual worlds. Already, NFT owners can sell their assets on platforms like OpenSea and BakerySwap, but there is still no dominant 3D platform that consolidates this market.

As blockchains become more scalable and easier to use, we can expect exponential growth in metaverse-like applications with consistent organic user bases.

Conclusion: Metaverse, from Fiction to Reality

Even though a complete and unified metaverse is likely years away, the developments observed today clearly indicate the way forward. What was once pure science fiction – persistent virtual worlds, digital economies, avatars, and work in 3D environments – is progressively becoming reality.

It is not guaranteed that we will ever reach a final version of the metaverse. But in the meantime, we can already experience projects similar to the metaverse and continue to integrate blockchain and cryptocurrencies into our daily activities. The metaverse, ultimately, is a natural evolution of how digitization shapes our lives.