The metaverse in the «digital economy» framework: conceptual foundations and evolution
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33216/1998-7927-2026-303-5-56-62Keywords:
metaverse, digital economy, digital assets, blockchain, NFT, virtual reality, digital platforms, decentralization, Web3, digital transformation, economic relations, innovative developmentAbstract
There is a growing need to study the institutional foundations of the metaverse, determine its place within the digital economy, and identify patterns in its development. The lack of well-developed theoretical and methodological approaches to analyzing the metaverse economy limits the ability to effectively harness its potential and formulate appropriate public policy in this area.
The article explores the theoretical and methodological principles of the formation and development of the metaverse as a component of the “Digital Economy” space. It is substantiated that the current stage of digital transformation is characterized by the emergence of new virtualized environments, among which the metaverse acts as an integrated digital ecosystem that combines virtual and augmented reality technologies, blockchain, artificial intelligence and digital platforms. It is determined that the metaverse forms a fundamentally new architecture of economic relations, within which the categories of value, property, labor and capital are transformed. The evolution of scientific approaches to the interpretation of the metaverse, which has gone from the technological concept of virtual reality to the institutional and economic understanding as a complex digital ecosystem, is analyzed. It is proven that the economy of the metaverse is based on decentralized platforms, digital assets, in particular NFT, and peer-to-peer interaction, which provides new mechanisms for creating and monetizing value. Particular attention is paid to the role of blockchain technologies in building trust and ensuring transparency of economic transactions in the virtual environment.
It is established that the metaverse is an important driver of the development of digital entrepreneurship and the creative economy, while its functioning is accompanied by a number of risks, including high volatility of digital assets, cyber threats, financial speculation and legal uncertainty. The need to improve the institutional and regulatory environment for the effective use of the potential of the metaverse is emphasized.
It is generalized that the metaverse is a new stage in the evolution of the digital economy, which combines technological, economic and social components and determines the prospects for further global digital transformation.
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