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Is buying virtual real estate in the metaverse profitable?

Is buying virtual real estate in the metaverse profitable?

Is buying virtual real estate in the metaverse profitable?
  • Is it worth investing in virtual real estate: an analysis of the growing market
  • What are the prospects for the virtual real estate market in the era of technology and NFTs?

From September 2019 to March 2022, there has been an astonishing increase in real estate prices in the virtual space, reaching an impressive 879%. This raises an important question: is it worth investing in virtual land? In this article, we will discuss how to earn from metaverse real estate and what prospects it offers, based on expert opinions.

Virtual property

“Virtual property can sometimes cost even more than real property.” We are in a unique era where celebrities hold concerts in virtual worlds, the Vatican opens an art gallery based on NFTs, and loans for acquiring digital assets have become commonplace. In this context, many actions we take in the real world find their digital alternatives, and the real estate market is no exception.

The functioning of the virtual real estate market

As a result, we have a question: how does the virtual real estate market function, and why are investors interested in it? Igor Zakharov, the manager of the digital ecosystem DBX, explains:

The virtual real estate market continues to develop actively and cannot yet be considered fully formed, which makes its concepts extremely unclear to the general audience. According to recent studies, about 25,000 cryptocurrency wallets are actively participating in transactions in this market, with a large portion of them controlled by serious investors and crypto whales willing to risk their capital in this new direction. Currently, only four projects offering virtual plots of land are showing significant growth: Decentraland, Sandbox, Somnium Space, and Cryptovoxels.

Prices for virtual real estate

Today, individual pieces of virtual real estate are indeed being sold for prices that exceed those of similar real properties. For example, a plot of land in Decentraland was auctioned off for nearly $760,000. This fact has led many experts to describe the current state of the digital real estate market as:

  • favorable
  • bottled

This implies ignoring basic economic factors and the risk of a potential crash. It is important to understand that the virtual real estate market is in a stage of active development, and its fluctuations make investments not only profitable but also quite risky. For example, if the metaverse platforms where these assets are located cease to exist, investors will lose both their land and all their invested funds.

Reasons for interest in the market

“The main reason for the interest in this market lies not so much in the growing demand as in the creation of a certain hype around it.” We are unlikely to pinpoint an exact date for the emergence of the concept of virtual real estate, but its development has been made possible by popular video games, which have long held a significant place in people's lives. These digital platforms have laid the groundwork for the idea of owning virtual land, and that is why interest in this area is growing every day.

The future of virtual real estate

Moreover, we can expect high competition in the future as more people start to enter this market, which will inevitably lead to changes in the rules and value system of metaverse real estate.

Introduction to the Virtual Real Estate Market

This time, the key difference is that access to virtual land parcels is open not only to gamers but also to other interested parties. The growing popularity of the digital real estate market is largely explained by advancements in technologies such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), as well as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

Market trends and forecasts

These aspects collectively encourage developers to create and sell tokenized digital land parcels. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in interest in virtual real estate. Experts predict that from 2022 to 2028, this market will grow at an impressive average annual rate of around 31%.

At the end of last year, over 2000 sales were recorded weekly on the well-known platform The Sandbox.

Auctions and prices for virtual land

Another important indicator of the growing interest is the fact that Decentraland, one of the popular platforms in the field of virtual real estate, held its first land auction in December 2017, when the price of a digital plot was around $20. However, by the beginning of this year, the price of a similar Land token had increased to approximately $15,000.

Given the situation, it is worth noting that the current interest is quite narrow, and only a few consider virtual plots as a serious investment.

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In most cases, this interest can be explained by the hype that has arisen around NFTs.

The connection between NFTs and virtual real estate

As a rule, the demand for virtual real estate strongly correlates with the overall interest in NFTs. According to statistics, in December of last year alone, NFT sales exceeded 300 million dollars, and a significant portion of these transactions was related specifically to virtual land parcels.

Similar to NFTs, there is a situation here where some users receive nothing at all, while others can earn thousands of dollars in profit.

Legal regulation and legal aspects

However, the issues related to the legislative regulation of the virtual real estate market remain quite complex and ambiguous. Since land plots are represented in the form of non-fungible tokens, they are subject to the same norms and may face similar legal obstacles.

Centralization of the metaverse platforms

Metaverse platforms, unlike the blockchains they operate on, are largely centralized. Each user must agree to the established rules and terms of use, as well as other mandatory documents.

The process of acquiring virtual real estate

The process of buying virtual real estate is very similar to acquiring an NFT. Proof of ownership of a plot is displayed as a token on the blockchain. To complete a transaction in the virtual space, a user must have two main elements:

  • Cryptocurrency wallet, the most popular of which are MetaMask and Binance.
  • An account on the platform where the purchase will take place.

Once the wallet is synchronized with the platform, the user can confidently begin purchasing virtual land and other digital assets that are available for sale. This creates additional opportunities for investors and users who are interested in expanding their digital portfolio within a market that is still not fully understood but is rapidly evolving.

Is buying virtual real estate in the metaverse profitable?

Conclusion

In conclusion of our research on the virtual real estate market, I would like to emphasize that this phenomenon is extraordinarily interesting and multifaceted. Since 2019, we have observed a phenomenal growth in the prices of digital assets, amounting to 879%. This certainly attracts the attention of investors, but it also raises many questions. In studying this market, I have concluded that working with virtual land can be both risky and potentially profitable. However, it is important to remember the fleeting nature of current demand and the risks associated with the uncertainty of technologies and trends.

Risks and opportunities

Virtual real estate on platforms like Decentraland and Sandbox is generating interest, but the market itself is still too young and may go through various stages.

  • rapid growth
  • sharp decline

The agitation around NFTs and metaverses is creating a real cultural wave, but the danger lies in the potential overheating and price manipulation. I urge potential investors to approach everything with caution and to have a good understanding of what they are investing in.

The future of investments in virtual real estate

At this time, when technological advancements are opening new horizons for business and creativity, virtual land and assets are becoming increasingly desirable investments. However, as in any other investment market, research and sound reasoning play a crucial role.

Remember that not everyone can win in this game.Yes, ambitious investors can make a fortune, but they can also easily lose their investments.

Result

I hope this research has provided you with useful information about the key aspects and dynamics of virtual real estate. This market will continue to evolve, and we all need to keep an eye on its transformation, potential opportunities, and challenges. Be careful and analytical in your actions, and may your investments be measured and thoughtful.

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