The metaverse is no longer just a futuristic concept—it’s rapidly evolving into a transformative digital frontier. With major tech players investing heavily and global financial institutions forecasting explosive growth, the metaverse is poised to redefine how we interact, work, play, and transact online. By 2030, the metaverse economy could reach a staggering $13 trillion, serving up to 5 billion users worldwide. This article explores the latest developments, expert insights, and future projections shaping the next generation of the internet.
The Metaverse Economy: A $13 Trillion Opportunity
In a recent report titled “The Metaverse and Money: Decrypting the Future,” Citi revealed that the global metaverse economy could grow to between $8 trillion and $13 trillion by 2030, with user adoption potentially reaching 5 billion people. This projection underscores the metaverse’s potential to become the next evolution of the internet, merging physical and digital realities in persistent, immersive environments.
Unlike purely virtual experiences, the future metaverse will integrate real-world interactions with digital enhancements. It won’t replace reality but rather augment it—enabling everything from virtual concerts and remote collaboration to digital ownership of assets through blockchain technology.
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Citi emphasizes that while digital-native tokens will play a key role, traditional forms of money will also be embedded within the metaverse. These include:
- In-game currencies
- Stablecoins
- Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
- General-purpose cryptocurrencies
This hybrid monetary system will support seamless transactions across virtual platforms, making digital finance more accessible and functional than ever before.
Razer Launches Full-Body Haptic Suit for Immersive Experiences
Tech giant Razer has taken a bold step toward physical immersion in the metaverse with the launch of its HyperSense Suit, a wearable gaming outfit embedded with 1,333,337 haptic sensors. Designed for metaverse applications, the suit delivers lifelike tactile feedback, allowing users to feel virtual environments—such as wind, impacts, or emotional cues—during gameplay or social interactions.
According to Razer’s official social media channels, the Razer HyperSense Suit aims to bridge the gap between digital sensation and physical perception. While the company clarified that the suit does not include military-grade equipment nor enhances physical strength, it represents a major leap in sensory immersion.
Currently, Razer is recruiting beta testers for the suit. Pricing and official release dates have not yet been announced, but early interest suggests strong market demand for high-fidelity haptic technology.
This innovation aligns with growing consumer expectations for deeper engagement in virtual spaces—where sight and sound are no longer enough. Touch is becoming the next frontier of presence.
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Strategic Partnership: Guohua and数码视讯 Collaborate on Metaverse Development
In a strategic move to expand its footprint in the digital space, Guohua (00370) announced a collaboration between its wholly-owned subsidiary, Beijing Gongseng Data Technology Co., and Beijing Kuai Shiting Technology Co., a subsidiary of Digital Vision Technology (300079). The two companies have signed a three-year cooperation framework agreement focused on advancing metaverse-related initiatives.
Their joint efforts will center on five core areas:
- Building offline entertainment experiences that blend physical and virtual elements
- Producing original content and designing interactive gameplay mechanics
- Marketing and distributing digital collectibles and NFT-based artworks
- Developing intellectual property (IP) for cross-platform use
- Creating solutions that connect real-world environments with virtual counterparts
Additionally, the partnership includes plans to establish an international platform for trading digital art and collectibles—opening new revenue streams in the global creator economy.
This alliance highlights how businesses are moving beyond theoretical exploration and actively building infrastructure to support scalable metaverse ecosystems.
Expert Insight: Is the Metaverse Essential for 6G?
At the recent Global 6G Technology Conference, academician Wu Hequan of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chairman of the Future Mobile Communications Forum offered a sobering perspective: the metaverse is not a necessity for 6G development.
While many assume that ultra-fast 6G networks will be built primarily to support metaverse applications, Wu argues that this view overstates the relationship. He explains:
“The metaverse extends human imagination by overlaying virtual spaces onto reality, while digital twins map the physical world into virtual ones. Although they blur the boundaries between real and virtual, the metaverse itself doesn’t introduce fundamentally new technologies.”
Instead, Wu notes that the so-called “metaverse” is essentially a commercial branding term built upon existing innovations such as:
- 5G connectivity
- Cloud computing
- Artificial intelligence
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Blockchain and cryptocurrency
- Augmented, virtual, and mixed reality (AR/VR/MR)
- Human-computer interaction
In his view, these underlying technologies are what truly matter—and they can thrive independently of any single application like the metaverse.
His comments serve as a reminder: while the metaverse captures public imagination, its success depends on broader technological maturity rather than hype alone.
Core Keywords Driving Metaverse Growth
To understand where the metaverse is headed, it helps to identify the foundational concepts shaping its trajectory. Key terms include:
- Metaverse economy – The ecosystem of goods, services, and financial systems operating within virtual worlds
- Digital collectibles – Unique, blockchain-verified assets such as NFTs representing art, avatars, or items
- Immersive technology – Tools like AR, VR, and haptics that enhance sensory engagement in digital environments
- Virtual currency – Cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and in-game tokens used for transactions in virtual spaces
- User adoption – The rate at which individuals engage with metaverse platforms and services
- Blockchain integration – The use of decentralized ledgers to verify ownership and enable trustless interactions
- Hybrid monetization – Combined use of traditional fiat and digital currencies in virtual economies
- Sensory immersion – Advanced feedback systems (e.g., haptics) that simulate touch and emotion
These keywords reflect both technical underpinnings and user-centric trends fueling long-term growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the projected size of the metaverse economy by 2030?
A: According to Citi’s analysis, the metaverse economy could reach between $8 trillion and $13 trillion by 2030, driven by widespread adoption and integrated digital finance systems.
Q: How many people are expected to use the metaverse by 2030?
A: Forecasts suggest up to 5 billion users may be active in metaverse platforms by 2030, representing a significant portion of the global internet population.
Q: Does the metaverse require 6G to function?
A: Not necessarily. While 6G can enhance performance, experts like Wu Hequan argue that the metaverse relies more on existing technologies like 5G, AI, and cloud computing than on next-gen networks alone.
Q: Are digital currencies essential in the metaverse?
A: Yes. Virtual currencies—including stablecoins, CBDCs, and cryptocurrencies—are critical for enabling secure, borderless transactions within decentralized virtual economies.
Q: Can you own digital assets in the metaverse?
A: Absolutely. Through blockchain technology, users can own verifiable digital assets such as NFTs, including artwork, avatars, land parcels, and in-game items.
Q: What role does haptic feedback play in immersive experiences?
A: Haptics add tactile dimensions to virtual interactions—allowing users to feel textures, movements, or environmental effects—making experiences more realistic and emotionally engaging.
As innovation accelerates and partnerships form across industries, the path toward a fully realized metaverse becomes clearer. From sensory wearables to global economic forecasts, we’re witnessing the foundation of a new digital era—one where identity, ownership, and experience converge in unprecedented ways.