Investing in Metaverse Stocks

For those looking to invest in metaverse stocks, it's best to start with an understanding of what the metaverse is in the first place.

The metaverse is defined as a digital, three-dimensional world that's immersive and accessible in real time by an unlimited number of people, allowing for social interactions, commerce, and more. Right now, this is more science fiction than reality. However, various tech companies are trying to bring the entirety of the vision to life.

Patience is key here because the metaverse could take a decade or more to develop. But this is actually great news for investors. The metaverse is still in its early stages, so it's not too late to invest in metaverse stocks. Let's look at ways to invest in this exciting space and some of the companies that are positioned to profit from the trend.

Investing in the metaverse

How to invest in the metaverse

Investors can approach this secular trend from multiple angles. Consider the following non-exhaustive list of potential layers to the metaverse:

• Immersive hardware: The digital metaverse is accessed with physical hardware -- hardware that must immerse the senses if people are going to adopt the concept en masse. Right now, devices are fairly limited to virtual reality (VR) headsets, which only incorporate the senses of sight and sound. Top headset companies such as Apple (AAPL -3.82%) and Meta Platforms (META -3.54%) are also prioritizing a more hybrid approach with augmented reality (AR) headsets, projecting digital images in physical spaces, which is otherwise known as spatial computing.
  
  In the future, however, metaverse hardware devices could also incorporate other senses, such as touch via haptic devices. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have even allowed startup company Osmo to digitize smell, providing a roadmap to incorporate another of the human senses into metaverse applications.
• Interactive platforms: In the same way people visit websites via the internet, there will need to be virtual worlds -- interactive platforms -- to visit in the metaverse.
• 3D creation software: Many of today's metaverse platforms are experienced in 2D. But whether it's building the virtual world's scenery or creating items that can be bought and sold, the metaverse needs software solutions to enhance the user experience with 3D content creation.
• Connectivity: The connection will need to be lightning-fast to accommodate unlimited metaverse participants in real time. And computers will need to be powerful to render 3D smoothly.
• Semiconductors: In the same vein, the metaverse's computing power requirements will be massive and require advancements in semiconductor technology. The metaverse will also generate an enormous amount of data that will need to be stored.
• Security: Once people are enjoying more activities in the metaverse, their identities and finances will need protection, making cybersecurity increasingly indispensable.

With so many aspects to choose from, there's likely a metaverse stock to fit any investor's style and risk tolerance.

Best metaverse stocks to buy in 2025

Best metaverse stocks to buy in 2025

As previously mentioned, it could be many years before the metaverse exists in its fullest form. So, the best metaverse stocks to buy today are companies that are already thriving but whose growth will be boosted by the metaverse. Here are some top considerations, in no particular order:

1 - 3

1. Meta

Formally known as Facebook, Meta Platforms is spending more on the metaverse concept than any other company in the world. Most of the company's revenue is generated by ads on the Facebook and Instagram apps.

However, Meta Platforms has another part of the business called Reality Labs, which sells hardware devices and VR content. Its Oculus VR headsets have collectively sold more than any other on the market, making Meta a top stock for immersive hardware.

Moreover, the company invests billions of dollars annually to advance VR and AR applications -- more than most other metaverse companies could dream of. If there's a future in the metaverse, Meta will likely play an important part.

2. Roblox

Roblox (RBLX 0.4%) is already a go-to virtual world that could be an early-stage version of a metaverse platform. Musicians and celebrities host live events on Roblox's platform, perhaps signaling that these are gaining mainstream appeal.

In the past, the platform primarily resonated with U.S. users younger than 13. But it's developed into a global company with an increasingly expanded set of older users. The metaverse will likely have multiple interactive platform destinations. However, with around 90 million daily active users already, Roblox has a big head start.

3. Apple

Not content with its leading position in the computer and smartphone spaces, Apple would like to own the AR headset space as well. This is better called spatial computing -- the blending of the physical and digital worlds. Apple's flagship Vision Pro is off to a slow start from a sales perspective, and rumors suggest that it could stop production due to weak demand. Perhaps sales have been below expectations due to its hefty price tag.

That said, no one questions the quality of Apple's headset technology. And some argue spatial computing devices will eventually replace computers, phones, and video game consoles. In short, Apple has already planted its flag in the spatial computing space and is ready with a quality hardware offering once consumers are ready to make the jump.

4 - 5

4. Unity

Unity Software (U 0.45%) is a leader in the 3D software space. The company's products are popular among developers, and it's reasonable to expect it to create a lot of 3D content for the metaverse. It's also reasonable to believe the company can take market share from competitors due to its unique value proposition.

Two of its subscription tiers -- Unity Personal and Unity Student -- are free to start. This familiarizes content creators with Unity's software. And as these creators find financial success, they'll likely become paying Unity customers.

5. Nvidia

When it comes to the metaverse, there are big needs, including 3D content creation, powerful graphics rendering, AI, and more. Fortunately, tech giant Nvidia (NVDA -7.03%) has something for all of these considerations.

Its graphics processing units (GPUs) have long been used in the video game space and are now finding plenty of use in powering AI models. Beyond hardware, the company has software of its own that has applications in creating digital worlds and 3D content.

Given its stellar stock market performance in recent years, Nvidia is quickly becoming a household name. Yet, it still has a lot of potential in the metaverse trend.

Metaverse ETFs

Metaverse ETFs to consider

Maybe you can't decide which metaverse stock to buy, or maybe you want broader exposure than a single stock. Consider buying a metaverse-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF). One option is the Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF (METV -2.1%), which includes all five of the stocks already listed here plus dozens more, providing instant diversification for shareholders.

Another possibility is the ProShares Metaverse ETF (VERS -1.43%), which also holds all five of the previously mentioned stocks. It has about the same number of holdings as the Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF. However, its expense ratio (fee) is slightly lower, which might make it more attractive to some investors.

Yes, unlike stocks, ETFs are subject to ongoing fees, and these two ETFs are no exception. Therefore, investors need to be sure they know how to invest in ETFs before buying shares.

Where can I buy metaverse stocks?

Where can I buy metaverse stocks?

To buy stocks and ETFs, investors need to have a brokerage account. The best brokerages are extremely user-friendly, allowing accounts to be opened with no minimum deposit and also offering zero-fee trades.

Related investing topics

Metaverse cryptocurrencies

What about metaverse cryptocurrencies?

There's still a long way to go with the metaverse trend, and it could take various paths. One question is whether the bulk of the metaverse will be built by corporate entities or with decentralized solutions such as blockchains and cryptocurrencies.

For this reason, we've already looked at the corporate entities. However, since the future is uncertain, it's worth keeping at least a couple of cryptocurrencies on your radar as well because the technology could prove useful in the metaverse's development.

To be clear, there are many decentralized metaverse platforms. But I'll refrain from mentioning any here because they haven't yet demonstrated an ability to sustainably attract a meaningful user base.

I'm not sure there's a worthwhile metaverse platform in the cryptocurrency space. But from an infrastructure perspective, Theta (THETA -2.85%) is worth watching. It is a content delivery network as well as a hybrid cloud edge computing platform. And it could theoretically perform faster than centralized platforms because of how the network is distributed.

The project started as a way to livestream VR video games and has quickly captured the attention of Alphabet (GOOG -1.92%)(GOOGL -1.85%) and Samsung, which are big names to have on your side. Theta also holds many patents, mitigating the competitive risk from other decentralized solutions.

Another big idea when it comes to infrastructure is Internet Computer (ICP -1.24%). This cryptocurrency is attempting to address things such as security in a digital world, finance with Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) smart contracts, and "infinite scalability" without cloud servers. The project is ambitious. Granted, its adoption hasn't been stellar to date, so take its developers' vision with a grain of salt. Still, the metaverse itself is a huge undertaking, and it will need out-of-the-box ideas. And Internet Computer is an idea worth exploring.

Of course, Theta or Internet Computer would only be helpful if the metaverse develops in a decentralized way. The question between centralization and decentralization highlights once again how early we are in the metaverse trend -- it's hard to tell which way this will go. For this reason, it's important for investors to stay engaged and curious when looking for ways to invest. There will undoubtedly be new developments for years to come, revealing more opportunities over the long haul.