Matercard files 15 NFT and Metaverse trademarks

On April 4, 2022, Mastercard filed for 15 NFTs and Metaverse-based trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to register its “Circles” logo and the “Priceless” slogan, according to NFT trademark attorney Michael Kondoudis. 

The applications include a range of crypto, fintech and metaverse-related technologies. The move indicates the credit card giant’s plans to create NFT backed multimedia, payment system processes, e-commerce software business activities in the Metaverse. 

The move comes after American Express (AmEx)’s filed seven trademark applications to register its name, logo and slogans for its banking services in the Metaverse. 

Mastercard’s push into the Metaverse

Last year, Mastercard launched an augmented reality app that offers card holders a virtual tour of the benefits of its credit card and allows them access to their rewards. The credit card giant also launched a Start Path crypto programme to support startups and their projects in the crypto and metaverse space. Finally, earlier this year, it partnered with crypto exchange Coinbase to launch an NFT marketplace to allow Coinbase users to pay for NFTs using their Master debit card and credit cards.

It is clear that Mastercard has its sights set on the Metaverse, exerting a full-force approach in providing NFT, educational, and payment services in the space. Being a leading financial service provider in the space, where virtual LANDs are sold for up to US$10,000, Mastercard would surely benefit from its early entry. And with around 2.8 billion of its credit cards in use, it is a powerful force in pushing crypto and the Metaverse into the mainstream. 

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. 

Photo: Mastercard