Metaverse ETF latest to hit ASX

Australia’s first Metaverse exchange traded fund (ETF) has launched on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) today, giving investors to access to 32 companies that are building, developing and operating in the Metaverse.

The BetaShares Metaverse ETF (MTAV) seeks to track the Bloomberg Metaverse Select Index and offers investors exposure to the megatrend that is the “next frontier of the Internet”.

“As the range of technologies underpinning the Metaverse evolves and user growth continues, this secular trend is expected to revolutionise the way we engage with sport, live music and other ways of staying connected,” Alex Vynokur, CEO of BetaShares, said.

“While still in the early stages of evolution, the Metaverse has the potential to be one of the biggest secular growth trends of the coming decades. We are proud to provide investors with access to this investment opportunity.

“This innovative new fund will form part of our leading suite of thematic funds that offer investors exposure to the megatrends that are changing the world around us.”

The Metaverse encompasses the worlds of virtual and augmented reality, gaming, artificial intelligence, advertising and digital currencies and tokens, leading the way for the digitisation of communities, commerce and trading and experiences.

As Bloomberg Intelligence estimated the market opportunity of the Metaverse at around $800 billion in annual revenue by 2041, companies have worked to increase their exposure and investments to Metaverse strategy.

The 32 companies included in MTAV’s portfolio generate a “meaningful amount of their revenues” from activities related to the Metaverse, including Roblox, NVIDIA and Meta Platforms.