One of the biggest buzzwords sprawling the digital landscape in 2022 is “metaverse.” Coined by Meta Platforms (Nasdaq: FB), it’s a concept that marks the next iteration of the digital revolution. The potential to live, work and play online. As you might imagine, the metaverse is a lucrative investment opportunity just waiting to happen. It’s why many investors have begun to ask if there are any metaverse ETFs out there.

Not only are there metaverse ETFs out there, these funds are well-poised to capitalize on long-term digital trends. Here’s a closer look at the landscape of metaverse ETFs. As well as why these funds are smart investments for tech investors looking to ride the metaverse wave to higher heights.

Metaverse ETFs: What is the Metaverse?

In simplest terms, the metaverse is virtual reality. In a literal sense, it’s a collection of digital networks designed to make living, working and playing possible in a fully virtual capacity. Imagine logging online and using a virtual reality headset to look around a full rendered 3D environment where anything is possible.

It sounds like something out of the hit novel (and film) Ready Player One. However, the metaverse is quickly becoming a reality. Leading the charge into this new, digital frontier is Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook). Meta has already pioneered simple metaverse applications. For instance, virtual meeting rooms with avatars and VR games that immerse the user in an explorable virtual world. While exciting, these applications are only the beginning of what the metaverse will eventually become.

Meta isn’t the only company buying into the metaverse as an evolution of the internet. Numerous companies are preparing for a wave of virtual reality tech. It’s why investors are turning to metaverse ETFs as they seek to understand the direction of this technology. As well as the companies contributing to it.

Different Metaverses are Coming to Fruition

When talking about the metaverse, it’s important to understand that there’s a difference between the concept of the metaverse and the different applications of that concept. Specifically, we’re likely to see many different versions of the metaverse that vary across industries and for different purposes. Some of the emerging case studies include:

• An Industrial Metaverse, built on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
• A Corporate Metaverse, designed with remote, decentralized work in mind.
• An Entertainment Metaverse, where people come together to consume media.
• The Asset Metaverse, which is already rising to prominence thanks to NFTs.

As the metaverse concept continues to take shape, so will viable applications. Whether for work or entertainment, or as a way to unlock the full potential of the digital era, the metaverse and metaverse ETFs are gaining momentum. And, with so many applications, there are even more opportunities to invest in the companies building the metaverse.

Who’s Building the Metaverse?

There are a handful of companies building the metaverse today. However, their ranks grow larger every day. Meta Platforms is pioneering everything from VR goggles to digital spaces. Snap Inc. is on the cutting edge of augmented reality that can bring your personal likeness to the metaverse. Qualcomm, NVIDIA and Unity are all putting effort into developing the hardware and software that will power the metaverse.

The companies building the metaverse are those dabbling in a few specific technologies. That includes augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), extended reality (XR), mixed reality (MR), blockchain and more. As a secondary market, investors need to look at the hardware companies developing access technologies for the metaverse. This includes everything from phones and tablets to VR headsets and immersive gaming rigs.

Looking at Current Metaverse ETFs

Despite the novel nature of the emerging metaverse landscape, there are actually quite a few metaverse ETFs to choose from. Many funds are still evolving as the scope and breadth of the metaverse become apparent. If you’re an investor looking more closely at the metaverse and the potential ROI associated with it, some of the most relevant ETFs to explore include:

1. Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF (METV)
2. Evolve Metaverse ETF (MESH)
3. ProShares Metaverse ETF (VERS)
4. Horizons Global Metaverse Index ETF (MTAV)
5. Fount Metaverse ETF (MTVR)
6. Subversive Metaverse ETF (PUNK)

These metaverse ETFs offer a great mix of variety when it comes to metaverse exposure. They not only focus on companies like Meta Platforms (Nasdaq: FB). They’re inclusive of companies that are powering the metaverse from a hardware, software, entertainment, business and practical standpoints.

Some of the common holdings among these metaverse ETFs include NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA), Unity Software (NYSE: U) and Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL). As well as Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), Alphabet Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG), Snap Inc. (NYSE: SNAP) and others.