Metaverse Projects Watch in 2025
Key Takeaways
- The metaverse integrates digital ownership and blockchain technology while providing virtual experiences and gaming.
- Major brands and celebrities are entering the metaverse, boosting its growth and significance in various industries.
- Top metaverse projects like Decentraland, The Sandbox, and Axie Infinity are leading the space, with a focus on community governance and immersive worlds.
- Understanding metaverse platforms helps users navigate and engage in the expanding virtual landscape.
The concept of the metaverse as a shared virtual space merging physical and digital realities is not something new. Neal Stephenson mentioned it for the first time in 1992 in his sci-fi novel Snow Crash. In the last few years, the term has grown in popularity, mainly due to the rise of blockchain technology. Blockchain is what sets the Metaverse apart from traditional gaming, providing the framework for digital ownership, and allowing users to own virtual assets such as land, avatars, and items. It also enables you to monetize the experiences you create.
Major brands like Nike, McDonald’s, and artists like Snoop Dogg are just some of the investors in the metaverse space. Facebook went a step further and completely rebranded itself to Meta, aiming to represent its future product. According to CoinMarketCap, the market cap of metaverse projects is currently over $14 billion.
In short, although the Metaverse has yet to reach maturity, it’s an industry worth keeping an eye on for businesses, gamers and anyone interested in understanding technology trends. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top metaverse projects you should watch in 2025.
7 Metaverse Projects to Watch in 2025
As the metaverse continued to grow, several projects stood out for their innovation, community engagement, and use of blockchain technology. Below, we cover the most significant blockchain metaverse platforms to keep an eye on in 2025.
| Name | Blockchain | Native Token | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decentraland | Ethereum | MANA | A 3D virtual world browser-based social platform |
| The Sandbox | Ethereum | SAND | A blockchain-based gaming platform |
| Otherside | Ethereum | APE | A gamified interoperable metaverse with NFTs |
| Meta | N/A | N/A | To be announced |
| Axie Infinity | Ronin Network | AXS | A blockchain gaming metaverse centered around collectible pets |
| Somnium Space | Ethereum | CUBE | A virtual reality world where users can create environments |
| Star Atlas | Solana | ATLAS | Space exploration, MMORPG, Web3 Game |
1) Decentraland – MANA
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Native Token: MANA
Launched in 2020 by Esteban Ordano and Ari Meilich, Decentraland is one of the earliest and most established metaverse projects. In other words, it allows users to buy, sell, and build on virtual plots of land using its native token, MANA. Users and developers can create interactive experiences, including games, art galleries, and marketplaces.
Major brands like Samsung and Atari have set up spaces within Decentraland, while others such as Forbes, Forever 21, and others have launched wearable digital collections. At the same time, the project’s decentralized governance model allows MANA holders to vote on policy updates and new features, making the platform truly community-driven.
2) The Sandbox – SAND
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Native Token: SAND
The Sandbox was launched in 2011 by Pixowl, a company co-founded by Arthur Madrid and Sebastien Borget. The development company pivoted to blockchain technology in 2018 and launched an early stage testing in late 2021. With its focus on gaming and user-generated content, The Sandbox has become a top player in the metaverse ecosystem.
For example, users can build, own, and monetize their gaming experiences on virtual land parcels called lands. Moreover, big names like Snoop Dogg and Adidas have partnered with The Sandbox, creating custom worlds and exclusive events. The platform’s integration with NFTs allows users to trade in-game assets, making it a popular choice for creators and gamers. The native token is SAND and it has several use cases including transactions, governance, and staking.
3) Otherside – APE
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Native Token: APE
Otherside is the metaverse initiative by Yuga Labs, the creators of the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) NFT collection. The project blends gaming with a virtual social space, offering immersive experiences powered by NFTs. Users can purchase virtual land, represented by Otherdeeds, and participate in various adventures and events.
The APE token is central to the platform’s economy, allowing players to trade assets, vote on governance matters, and engage in staking rewards. With the success of BAYC and support from influential investors, Otherside has gained traction but isn’t officially live yet. So far, the Otherside metaverse has only launched a couple of limited playtests accessible only by NFT holders.
4) Meta (Facebook) – META
- Blockchain: In-house Solution
- Native Token: N/A (Yet)
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is one of the most ambitious entrants into the metaverse space. Since its rebranding in 2021, Meta has been allegedly working on a digital metaverse that users can interact with, create, and explore. By the look of it, Meta’s metaverse has taken a backseat to the current AI boom that has overtaken the world.
Meta’s vast resources and global reach make it a significant player in the metaverse industry. It just has to release a product and 2025 might be the year for it. Unlike the other entries on this list, Meta’s metaverse might be the only one not utilizing blockchain technology or a native token, or at least that’s the case for now.
5) Axie Infinity – AXS
- Blockchain: Ethereum (Ronin Sidechain)
- Native Token: AXS
Sky Mavis developed Axie Infinity and launched it in 2018. In just a few years, it became one of the most successful play-to-earn (P2E) platforms in the metaverse space. Players can collect, breed, and battle Axies, Pokemon-like NFT creatures, with rewards paid in the native AXS and SLP tokens. AXS is both a utility and governance token, while SLP is strictly used in-game.
To avoid the high gas fees on Ethereum, Axie Infinity opted for a blockchain of its own with the Ronin sidechain. It supports the game, allowing for lower fees and faster transactions compared to the Ethereum mainnet. The platform’s success has attracted millions of users worldwide, with players earning real income through gameplay. While this success didn’t last long, Axie Infinity partnered with major brands such as Ubisoft, HTC, Samsung, and others to expand its ecosystem, making it a must-watch project in 2025.
6) Somnium Space – CUBE
- Blockchain: Ethereum
- Native Token: CUBE
Somnium Space launched in 2020. Created by VR enthusiast and entrepreneur Artur Sychov, it offers an immersive virtual reality metaverse experience. The platform allows users to purchase land, build custom spaces, and monetize their creations using the native CUBE token. Furthermore, it supports full-body VR, which enhances the experience and has hosted live concerts and other events.
Somnium Space focuses on integrating real-world activities into the virtual space, creating a more holistic metaverse experience. Lastly, with regular updates and its advanced VR capabilities, Somnium Space is a metaverse project that you should follow in 2025.
7) Star Atlas – ATLAS
- Blockchain: Solana
- Native Token: ATLAS
Star Atlas is a massive space-themed metaverse project that’s still in development by Automata (ATMTA). It’s designed to provide a next-generation gaming experience. Atlas uses Solana’s blockchain for its speed and low transaction costs, allowing players to engage in space exploration, battles, and trading with minimal latency.
The ATLAS token will serve as the in-game currency, enabling users to purchase ships, weapons, and other assets. The game’s expansive universe will offer players opportunities to earn rewards by engaging in different activities such as mining, faction wars, and governance. Star Atlas has some big plans but the question is, will the team deliver? And more importantly, when?
What Is the Metaverse Anyway?
The metaverse is a digital universe where users interact through avatars, own digital assets, and engage in virtual experiences. Unlike traditional games (web2), metaverse platforms leverage blockchain technology to ensure transparency, ownership, and user participation. The key features that define a metaverse are:
Digital Ownership
In the metaverse, users can own digital assets like land, fashion items, and other collectibles as NFTs. For example, platforms like Decentraland and The Sandbox allow users to buy plots of land as NFTs, which they can build upon, rent, or sell. As a result, this digital ownership gives users autonomy and control over their assets, something uncommon in traditional games.
Community Governance
Most metaverse platforms use their native tokens for governance. Token holders can vote on decisions that shape the future of the platform, such as updates, new features, or community events. This decentralized model ensures that users have a voice in how the platform evolves. In contrast, in traditional games, game publishers and developers have all the power.
Creator Economy
The metaverse supports a creator-driven economy where users can build and monetize their experiences. Furthermore, players can create fully immersive worlds, games, or services and earn revenue through user interaction, NFT sales, and native tokens.
Collective World Building
Unlike traditional games, where the environment and rules are set by developers, metaverse platforms allow users to shape the world. In many metaverse projects, landowners can build whatever they want, from amusement parks to social clubs, giving them the power to dictate their surroundings. Finally, this approach makes the metaverse more flexible and gives players limitless possibilities.
How To Access the Metaverse
Accessing the metaverse is straightforward, and can be viewed as a few basic steps.
- Users need a compatible device (PC, VR headset) and an internet connection.
- You’ll need to create a cryptocurrency wallet to store your digital assets and tokens.
- In order to start using any metaverse platform, you’ll need to have some of its native currency. You can buy this on a crypto exchange and send those coins to your crypto wallet.
- Finally, most metaverse platforms require users to create an account and connect. This is done using your crypto wallet.
Once you’re set up, you can start exploring the various experiences offered by your chosen metaverse. This might include buying land, interacting with other users, participating in governance and even deploying your own monetized experiences if you want to.
Closing Thoughts
The metaverse offers exciting possibilities for users, developers, and investors. Metaverse platforms might already be setting the stage for how we interact in the digital age, changing the parameters of social media. Understanding the biggest projects and engaging with their ecosystems can prove to be more than just entertainment – it may also be a smart business move, as this new type of human interaction becomes a norm.
