The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) emphasizes the importance of metaverse regulation to prevent its fragmentation and the dominance of large corporations. The BIS study states that interoperable payment technologies, supported by appropriate regulation, are necessary to avoid dividing the metaverse into isolated parts and to ensure its accessibility for all users.

Interest in the metaverse significantly increased in early 2022, especially after Facebook rebranded to Meta. However, despite the potential of the metaverse, many of its applications remain controversial. Nonetheless, there is a strong correlation between sales of land in the metaverse and real estate prices, as well as Bitcoin prices, indicating speculative interest in this sector.

The scope of the metaverse continues to expand, attracting the attention of major investors. Gaming, e-commerce, education, and healthcare are areas of growth. Estimates suggest that by the end of the decade, the market value of the metaverse could reach trillions of dollars.

The BIS study categorizes metaverse platforms into centralized and decentralized. Centralized platforms, such as Roblox and Second Life, are controlled by corporations that set the rules for payment systems on their platforms. Decentralized platforms, like Decentraland and The Sandbox, are connected to the broader economy through cryptocurrency exchanges and can use various payment methods, including central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), which may facilitate cross-border applications.

The study's authors suggest that to prevent the fragmentation of the metaverse and its control by large private companies, authorities should promote the development of effective and compatible payment systems that meet user needs.