Forget Wall Street analysts and their spreadsheets. If you’re looking to find the next big metaverse stock, look beyond the financial news. Instead, take a direct flight to Singapore! I know, it sounds crazy. But hear me out. I’m Rajiv and I’ve been a huge crypto nerd for years, especially immersing myself in DeFi and NFTs. Trust me, the metaverse you really want to be in that you’re seeing right now getting built is on the ground, community by community. You can really experience that in the hawker centers.

What Hawker Centers Teach Us?

Singapore's hawker centers are more than just food courts. They're vibrant ecosystems. Picture dozens of booths, all whipping up something different and delicious. The air vibrates with electricity, a harmonious orchestra of culinary pyrotechnics, thunderous laughter and merriment, and the music of metal on porcelain punctuating the rhythm. You’ll see families, friends, and yes, even tourists inside, all gathering to experience the same meal. That's community. That's engagement. That’s a true world of worlds, one predicated on mutual understanding and authentic connection.

Now picture that in contrast to what most people currently envision when they hear the term “the metaverse.” Fancy graphics? VR headsets? Sure, those are components. But without a vibrant scene, it’s just a façade. The question is: which metaverse platforms are building that authentic sense of community? Which ones are improving their neighborhoods and creating the best possible spaces where people actually want to spend time, connect with others, build something meaningful.

That’s where the hawker center comparison becomes relevant. Of all the metaverse platforms, where is the most varied crowd showing up? Which one is creating the conditions for authentic engagement and co-creation? Which one feels alive? That's the platform that's likely to succeed. And the people building and maintaining that infrastructure? Those are the hidden winners. Forget the hype, look for the heart.

Beyond NVIDIA: Community is King!

MarketBeat’s stock screener even flags companies such as NVIDIA (NVDA), Accenture (ACN), and Globant (GLOB) as “metaverse stocks to watch”. Of course, behind all these digital domains is NVIDIA—the GPUs they produce are what programs the metaverse. Accenture and Globant are consulting firms, but with deep software design and development shops. They're important pieces of the puzzle. But are they the metaverse? No. They’re the shovels and picks during the gold rush, not the gold.

Explore the metaverse stocks, including SK Telecom (SKM) and Super League Enterprise (SLE). Other examples include Future FinTech Group (FTFT) and Everbright Digital (EDHL). If these names happen to be attached, the trick is to see through the glittering facade and get down to brass tacks. Are they encouraging the types of user engagement and community ownership that will create a future metaverse platform that is genuinely successful?

This is where my experience with DeFi and NFTs comes in. The true innovation pushing the metaverse forward is taking place on the ground at the community level powered by blockchain technology. By facilitating new forms of ownership, governance, and economic activity, smart contracts are unlocking innovations across industries. NFTs are revolutionizing the way we think about digital assets by allowing us to create, trade, and collect unique digital assets. Through decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), users are being granted a stake and a say in the development and direction of these platforms.

The response to those questions, not Wall Street’s assessments, will crown the true metaverse victors.

  • Which platforms are truly embracing decentralization?
  • Which ones are empowering users to create and control their own content?
  • Which ones are building sustainable economies that reward participation?

Let’s face it, the current metaverse landscape is rather chaotic. There’s frustration over the major technology firms’ attempts to dictate their own narrative. There’s fear of missing out on the next big thing, too. But there's awe at the potential. The ability to build new cultures of expression, new cultures of play, new cultures of connection.

Anger, Fear, and Awe: The Metaverse Emotions

The platforms that understand these emerging feelings and emotions in a real way are the ones that win. An open metaverse grounded in true community, real world ownership, and purposeful interactions. The sort you’d find in a hawker center in Singapore.

Don’t take MarketBeat’s list, or any list, for that matter, at face value – conduct your own due diligence. Look beyond the headlines. Visit the platforms. Talk to the users. Get a first look at them, and find out for yourself which ones are building something truly special. And perhaps, if there’s a budget for it, expand that dream to a plane ticket to Singapore. Order a plate of Hainanese chicken rice. And while you're there, ask yourself: is this the kind of community I want to be a part of? If the answer is yes, you could be looking at your next metaverse stock winner. Keep in mind, some of those same analysts will recommend “five other stocks that are better buys” on NVIDIA’s heels. And my guess is they’re still chasing the same tired metrics. Here’s the better set of metrics, focused on community building in the right way!

Instead of blindly following MarketBeat’s list, or any list for that matter, do your own research. Look beyond the headlines. Visit the platforms. Talk to the users. See for yourself which ones are building something truly special. And maybe, just maybe, book a flight to Singapore. Order a plate of Hainanese chicken rice. And while you're there, ask yourself: this is the kind of community I want to be a part of? If the answer is yes, you might just have found your next metaverse stock winner. Remember, top analysts might suggest "five other stocks that are better buys" than NVIDIA. They are probably following the same old metrics. I suggest a different set of metrics, based on real community building!