The top metaverse crypto assets to invest in for 2025

Data Overview (Updated: 2025-12-26)

• SAND：$0.11 (+0.44%) | MANA：$0.12 (-0.58%) | AXS：$0.85 (+0.18%)
• ILV：$5.82 (-0.41%) | ENJ：$0.03 (-0.21%) | TRAC：$0.41 (+1.54%)
• YGG：$0.07 (+0.57%) | WILD：$0.05 (+1.77%)

Why Choose the Metaverse? Market Size and Growth Potential

Virtual worlds are transitioning from concept to reality, with the metaverse market size expected to surge from $9.41 billion in 2023 to $234.62 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 44.4%. As of May 2024, the total market capitalization in this field has exceeded $31.7 billion. This is not only a technological revolution but also a massive economic opportunity—users can socialize, start businesses, and earn real income within virtual spaces.

Blockchain and cryptocurrencies play a key role, enabling true ownership of digital assets through NFTs and decentralized economies. Coinmarketcap lists nearly 300 metaverse projects, making the competition fierce but opportunities limitless.

How to Enter: The Complete Guide to Purchasing Virtual Assets

Step 1: Build Infrastructure Use MetaMask or other crypto wallets to connect to Ethereum or other blockchain networks. Purchase foundational tokens like ETH, SAND, or MANA through exchanges.

Step 2: Enter the Virtual World Connect your wallet to platforms like The Sandbox or Decentraland marketplace, search for virtual land or NFTs you like. For example, with SAND, users can directly buy LAND (digital plots), then develop games or virtual experiences on them and monetize.

Step 3: Risk Management Always transact through official markets, verify asset authenticity, and avoid counterfeit products.

In-Depth Analysis of the Top 10 Projects

1. The Sandbox (SAND) — A Paradise for Game Creators

Project Overview: Launched on Ethereum in 2018, building on a mobile game foundation from 2012, allowing users to create, own, and monetize 3D gaming experiences.

Funding History: Raised $3 million in an ICO in 2020, received $93 million investment from SoftBank in 2021, demonstrating strong commercial value.

Core Mechanisms: Players use SAND tokens for transactions, staking, and DAO governance. The platform offers three main tools—VoxEdit (pixel NFT creation), Game Maker (no-code 3D game development), Marketplace (asset trading).

Ecological Advantages: Collaborations with Atari, CryptoKitties, The Walking Dead, Snoop Dogg, etc. Staking programs on Polygon network offer zero-fee transactions and weekly rewards. User-generated content drives the virtual world, making it a key player in the metaverse.

2. Decentraland (MANA) — Pioneer in Virtual Real Estate

Project Overview: Launched in 2017, one of the first decentralized virtual worlds on Ethereum. Users can freely create, explore, and monetize content in a 3D metaverse.

Economic Model: MANA is an ERC-20 token used for buying virtual land, in-game transactions, governance voting, and virtual goods. Ownership of land and items is verified via ERC-721 NFTs, ensuring decentralized ownership.

Latest Developments: Hosted the first Metaverse Fashion Week, introduced voice chat and graphics enhancements, launched a new desktop client. DAO governance gives MANA holders real influence over platform future.

Partnerships: Collaborations with major exchanges, Samsung, and others, providing a solid foundation for virtual events, commercial use, and social experiences. Merging gaming, social, and business activities, it’s a leading metaverse project in 2024.

3. Axie Infinity (AXS) — The Pioneer of Play-to-Earn

Game Setting: Launched by Sky Mavis in 2018, players breed, raise, and battle digital creatures called “Axies,” inspired by Pokémon and Tamagotchi.

Revenue Model: Dual-token system—AXS (governance and advanced features) and SLP (daily game rewards). Players breed new Axies, participate in DAO governance, and buy in-game items.

Funding Success: Secured $152 million in a funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, proving the viability of its business model.

Key Innovations: Robust NFT marketplace, Ronin sidechain (significantly reducing transaction fees), partnerships with Samsung and exchanges to expand ecosystem, AXS staking rewards, upcoming land gameplay, and Ronin decentralized exchange. Millions of users and large investments make it a leader in the metaverse in 2024.

4. Illuvium (ILV) — AAA-Grade Blockchain Game Benchmark

Game Architecture: Decentralized open-world fantasy battle game on Ethereum, combining RPG and auto-battle mechanics. Launched in 2021, it’s the first AAA blockchain game benchmark.

Gameplay Features: Fully 3D environment, over 100 unique Illuvial creatures with different classes and affinities, core gameplay includes exploration, capture, and combat.

Token Use: ILV is the main in-game currency, used for purchasing items, participating in Illuvium DAO governance, and staking for rewards. Players can choose to receive ILV unlocked after one year or immediate sILV.

Technical Highlights: Zero network fee IlluviDEX marketplace (for trading Illuvial NFTs), scalability solutions via Immutable X, Illuvium: Zero mini-game, and ongoing updates. These advancements solidify its leadership in metaverse gaming.

5. Enjin Coin (ENJ) — NFT Infrastructure Builder

Evolution: Launched in 2017 as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum, announced migration to its own Enjin Blockchain mainnet in 2023 to improve scalability and reduce transaction costs.

Core Functions: Simplifies creation and management of virtual goods. Developers mint NFTs with ENJ and integrate into gaming ecosystems. Each token has real value, ensuring NFTs are backed by actual assets.

Ecological Tools: Efinity network facilitates cross-chain NFT trading; Enjin Wallet simplifies digital asset management. Efinity, launched as a Polkadot parachain, further enhances interoperability.

Partnerships: Collaborations with Microsoft, Samsung, and major exchanges expand application scope. ENJ has become a key infrastructure supporting gaming and virtual worlds.

6. OriginTrail (TRAC) — Decentralized Knowledge Graph Network

Project Positioning: Founded in 2011, shifted to blockchain in 2018, operating a decentralized knowledge graph (DKG) network to improve supply chain transparency and efficiency.

Multi-Chain Deployment: Runs on Ethereum, Polygon, Gnosis, and its own Polkadot parachain NeuroWeb, ecosystem driven by TRAC tokens.

Token Mechanism: TRAC is used to pay for data publishing and updates, serve as collateral for nodes, and facilitate data transactions on the decentralized knowledge graph.

Industry Applications: Collaborates with Walmart, Oracle, EU institutions, applying in supply chain management, healthcare, construction, etc. NeuroWeb deployment aims to lower transaction costs and improve network performance, making TRAC a key player in decentralized data management.

( 7. Yield Guild Games )YGG### — Aggregator of Virtual World Economies

Organization Structure: Founded in 2020 as a DAO, focusing on investing in and managing virtual assets within blockchain games and virtual worlds, aiming to build the largest virtual economy.

Revenue Model: Maximizes utility of virtual assets through acquisition and optimization, creating play-to-earn opportunities for community members (like Axie Infinity). YGG tokens (ERC-20) support governance, staking rewards, and ecosystem services.

Innovative Projects: Guild Advancement Program (GAP) and Superquests help members build on-chain identities through achievement systems. Collaborations with leading projects like Axie Infinity and Ronin Network expand the ecosystem. YGG tokens on Ronin Network increase usability.

Community Power: Established a strong community of players and investors, becoming a key player in the evolving metaverse landscape.

( 8. Wilder World )WILD### — Next-Generation Visual Virtual World

Technology Stack: Built on Ethereum, an immersive 3D metaverse utilizing Unreal Engine 5 and AI technology, offering realistic visuals and dynamic interactions.

Creative Vision: Launched by renowned digital artist Frank Wilder, with the first city Wiami modeled after Miami. Aims to create a “5D” metaverse combining virtual reality, real-time rendering, and blockchain for truly immersive and interactive environments.

Economic System: WILD tokens serve as the main currency for transactions, governance, and staking. Users mint unique digital assets, participate in Wilder Nation DAO governance, and earn rewards through in-game challenges.

Asset Collections: NFTs like AIR WILD shoes, Wilder Wheels, and Wilder Cribs are fully integrated into the metaverse economy and gameplay. Strategic partnerships with leading artists and tech companies aim to attract Web3 enthusiasts and mainstream users.

( 9. Hooked Protocol )HOOK### — Accelerator for Web3 Education

Core Mission: Launched in late 2022, aims to accelerate Web3 adoption through gamified learning experiences and user onboarding solutions.

Flagship Product: Wild Cash adopts a “learn-to-earn” model, rewarding users through quizzes, mining games, and social referrals. Over 3 million monthly active users, mainly from emerging markets.

Team Background: Members from Uber, Google, and other tech giants, focusing on lowering entry barriers to Web3, providing educational content, and intuitive user onboarding.

Token Functions: HOOK is both a governance token (voting on decisions) and utility token (access to exclusive NFTs, community events, in-app purchases). Future plans include using HOOK as gas for on-chain transactions within the Hooked ecosystem. Recent developments include platform upgrades and AI integration to promote Web3 adoption.

( 10. My Neighbor Alice )ALICE### — A New Era of Casual Farming Simulation

Game Setting: Developed by Chromia, launched in 2021, offering a unique farming experience. Players buy and develop virtual land, complete quests, and interact in the fantasy world of Lummelunda Islands.

Design Aesthetics: Combines casual-friendly visuals with deep blockchain mechanics, appealing to both gamers and blockchain enthusiasts.

Token Economy: ALICE (ERC-20) is the main currency, used for buying land, in-game items, and participating in community governance. Players earn ALICE through quests and activities.

Development Stage: Transitioned to Beta, introducing player-to-player trading and user-generated content. Collaboration with Chromia enhances scalability. The 2024 roadmap emphasizes full decentralization and new features to boost player engagement.

Seven Major Trends in the Metaverse for 2024-2025

( 1. Cross-Platform Seamless Experience Decentraland and The Sandbox are developing more interconnected virtual worlds, allowing users to transfer assets and experiences seamlessly across platforms, greatly enhancing engagement and market potential.

) 2. Visual Realism Surge Advances in AR, VR, and AI make virtual experiences more realistic. Platforms like Metahero and Illuvium are creating hyper-realistic avatars and environments, providing deeper and more engaging user experiences.

3. Mainstream Tech Giants Enter

Major tech companies like Meta and Microsoft are developing their own metaverse platforms, integrating vast user bases and resources, pushing virtual worlds toward mainstream adoption.

4. Play-to-Earn Popularization

The “play-to-earn” model is becoming increasingly mainstream. Projects like Axie Infinity and Gala Games lead this trend, offering tangible financial returns for gaming achievements.

5. Green and Scalable Solutions

As the metaverse grows, energy-efficient protocols and scalable infrastructure are prioritized to support the increasing demand of virtual worlds.

6. AI-Driven Intelligence

AI integration enhances the intelligence and personalization of virtual experiences. AI-powered virtual assistants provide real-time guidance and support, improving user interaction quality.

7. Explosive Economic Growth

McKinsey forecasts that the metaverse sector will create nearly $5 trillion in value by 2030. This growth is driven by virtual real estate, digital assets, and new business models.

Major Challenges and Opportunities Not to Be Ignored

Three Major Technical Challenges:

• Interoperability between different virtual worlds remains a key obstacle, requiring unified standards and technical frameworks
• Privacy and security issues become critical as user virtual time increases
• Data protection and cyber threats are vital for system security

Ethical Considerations: Ensuring inclusivity, preventing bias, and building a fair and secure metaverse ecosystem are essential.

Business Opportunities:

• Brands can create immersive marketing campaigns and virtual storefronts to enhance customer engagement and loyalty
• Virtual conferences and events offer flexible, cost-effective global collaboration
• New channels for corporate-customer interaction are emerging

Summary: The Golden Age of the Metaverse Has Arrived

The metaverse is experiencing significant growth in 2024-2025. Advances in AI, VR, and AR will drive more immersive and personalized virtual experiences. Despite challenges in interoperability, privacy, and security, the scale of innovation and economic opportunities is enormous.

Staying closely attuned to emerging trends is crucial. Exploring top metaverse platforms like The Sandbox, Decentraland, and Enjin allows participation in this exciting digital revolution. The leisure and investment potential within the metaverse is vast and worth deep exploration and strategic positioning.