According to CNBC, giant supermarket chain Walmart is preparing to enter the cryptocurrency, metaverse and NFT market.
In August, Walmart took a big step towards cryptography, as Walmart was looking for a “Digital Currency And Cryptocurrency Product Lead” Vacancy. The position was to create a brand digital currency strategy, define and guide the product vision, and identify and guide technology and consumer trends.
Numerous clues start popping up
According to The Verge, a video of Walmart's metaverse, which circulated on the internet in early January 2022, showed that the company began testing a shopping model in the virtual format a few years ago. Walmart's moves suggest that the metaverse and cryptocurrencies aren't far from the company.
Walmart's recent actions show that the company's interest in the metaverse and cryptocurrencies is growing over time. According to CNBC reporter Lauren Thomas, Walmart filed several US patent applications on December 30 to address these technologies.
In all, with seven patent applications listed, the company hinted that it is keeping an eye on the market. One of the fills shows that Walmart is looking to offer users virtual currency and NFTs.
CNBC writes: "In a separate filing, the company said it will offer users a virtual currency, as well as NFTs."
Ready for launch?
According to attorney Josh Gerben, who specializes in trademark registration in the United States, speaking to CNBC he said:
“They're super intense, there's a lot of language in these, which shows there's a lot of planning going on behind the scenes on how they'll tackle cryptocurrency, how they're going to tackle the metaverse and the virtual world that appears to be on the way or which is already here ".
CNBC writes that it appears Walmart will launch its cryptocurrencies and NFTs under its metaverse plans.
"Walmart appears to be venturing into the metaverse with plans to create its own cryptocurrency and collection of NFTs."
Walmart did not comment on the CNBC report and recent patent fills, but told CNBC:
“We are testing new ideas all the time; Some ideas become products or services that reach customers. And some we test, iterate and learn from them ".
Walmart recently introduced Bitcoin ATMs in over 200 locations across the United States.
And what do you think of the move by the US giant of invest in this sector? Do you expect our large supermarkets to do something like this sooner or later? Let us know in the comments section below.
