Global payments giant Mastercard is filing 15 new trademark applications related to crypto, fintech and metaverse-related technologies.
According to top trademark lawyer Mike Kondoudis, the credit card titan’s requests indicate that it plans to create non-fungible token (NFT)-backed media, a payment processing and e-commerce transaction system within the metaverse and a marketplace for crypto assets.
Kondoudis’ information reveals that Mastercard’s requests include trademarks for downloadable multimedia files containing artwork, text, audio and video authenticated by NFTs and e-commerce software that would allow electronic business transactions to occur over the metaverse.
Furthermore, the firm filed applications for virtual credit cards, debit cards and prepaid cards, as well as the ability to process payments using these digital cards in the metaverse.
Mastercard also filed trademarks for events and performances within the metaverse and for online communities related to digital assets.
Kondoudis also finds that the number of NFT trademarks filed so far this year has surpassed the combined total of last year, according to the information.
The lawyer’s data reveals that in 2022, 1,967 applications have been filed so far while the entirety of 2021 saw 1,965 requests. In 2020, only 23 applications were filled.
Earlier this year, the payments giant partnered up with leading US-based crypto exchange platform COINBASE to create an NFT marketplace in the future that would let clients of Coinbase pay for digital collectibles using their Mastercard debit and credit cards.
Before that, Mastercard announced that it would be expanding its consulting services to the digital assets industry due to popular demand.
