Fidelity Files NFT, Metaverse Trademark Applications

Newly uncovered trademark applications first spotted by a well-known trademark attorney show the investment giant Fidelity has filed trademark applications in the United States covering a host of digital investment products and services.

Mike Kondoudis, a licensed trademark attorney and author, took to Twitter earlier this week to share the news that the massive investment and recordkeeping company has filed multiple trademark applications covering non-fungible tokens (NFTs), NFT marketplaces, metaverse investment services, virtual real estate investing, cryptocurrency trading and more.

As Kondoudis and others point out, the emergence of the applications comes just a month after Fidelity brought online a new retail crypto trading service for a select group of customers who signed up for early access.

In a copy of the new trademark applications being circulated online, Fidelity is apparently seeking to position itself to provide a wide suite of investment services based in and around the metaverse. Beyond mentioning the “provision of an online marketplace for buyers and sellers of digital media,” one application describes “mutual fund investment services in the metaverse and other virtual worlds.”

The application also mentions both “retirement fund investment services in the metaverse” and “digital currency services,” such as trading services and digital wallet storage services.

Asked about the trademark applications, Fidelity said in a statement that “it is premature to discuss” them, adding that the firm “is committed to innovating in how we deliver financial education and service through emerging platforms.”