Walmart is Planning Its Own Metaverse, NFTs, and Token

Walmart's recent patent filings show the retailer intends to build its own crypto metaverse, mint NFTs, and issue its own cryptocurrency token.

Walmart is Planning Its Own Metaverse, NFTs and Transaction Token
If you're selling acne cream NFTs, expect to hear from Walmart's lawyers

Walmart is getting into crypto. Walmart intends to build its own metaverse, mint NFTs, and issue its own transaction token. According to the US Patent and Trademark Office, Walmart's attorneys filed seven separate applications regarding crypto and metaverse on December 30, 2021.

The company also intends to trademark virtual goods, including:

  • personal care products
  • electronics
  • appliances
  • apparel
  • home goods
  • toys

Some of these intended trademarks make sense within the context of Walmart's current business. It's easy to imagine Walmart selling a Taylor Swift digital t-shirt NFT to a kid whose avatar is running to virtual Walmart to get cigarettes for her mom.

But what are personal care products for in a metaverse?

It's unclear if Walmart intends to use an existing crypto project or build its own. Following the Litecoin pump-and-dump scheme that used a fake Walmart partnership announcement, it will be hard to know for sure without an official Walmart announcement.

Walmart has not given an official statement regarding its crypto future, but in an interview with Business Insider, a Walmart official said, "We don't have anything further to share today, but it's worth noting we routinely file trademark applications as part of the innovation process."