Fidelity files for metaverse trademarks in latest crypto push

Companies • December 26, 2022, 3:18PM EST

Quick Take

The trademark applications are the firm’s latest move in the digital asset space.

Fidelity has filed three U.S. trademark applications to provide services in the metaverse and other virtual worlds in its latest step into the realm of digital assets.

The firm wants to provide its traditional services in alternate realities, according to the filings. The applications mention NFTs and NFT marketplaces, virtual real estate investing, crypto trading and metaverse investment services.

Fidelity has been quicker to embrace digital assets than most other large investment companies and in October said it was planning 100 more crypto hires to expand its digital asset team to 500. The firm opened up commission-free retail crypto trading accounts in November after first announcing a waiting list.

The firm has received some pushback. Three U.S. senators last month asked it to reconsider a decision to allow retirement plan participants to invest in bitcoin, saying the industry has become increasingly "volatile, tumultuous and chaotic."

About Author

Christiana is a long-time journalist who has written about markets in the Americas, politicians who stashed cash in their underwear and high-end heels, to name just a few. She previously spent six years at Bloomberg, and her work has appeared in the WSJ, LA Times, Insider, Vogue Business and more. Christiana has a bachelor's degree in English from Pace University and a master's degree in journalism from New York University. She completed a master's degree in media psychology for fun.