Number of metaverse-related goods and services, including "facilitating secure payment transactions by electronic means in the metaverse

HSBC has filed trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a variety of digital currency-related goods and services, including those associated with the metaverse and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

HSBC Trademark Applications for Cryptocurrency-Related Goods and Services
HSBC has filed two crypto-related trademark applications for its name and logo with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Mike Kondoudis, a USPTO-licensed trademark attorney, tweeted on Friday that HSBC’s trademark registrations indicate the bank’s aspirations for a variety of digital products and services, including those related to the exchange and transfer of virtual currencies.

On December 15, HSBC submitted trademark applications for products relating to cryptography with serial numbers 97718803 and 97718583. The bank's apps provided information on a wide range of goods and services, including the ability to transfer, receive, convert, and hold digital currency.

The trademark applications also include descriptions of a number of metaverse-related goods and services, including "facilitating secure payment transactions by electronic means in the metaverse," "providing banking services in the metaverse," and "providing processing of virtual credit card, virtual debit card, virtual prepaid card, and virtual payment card transactions in the metaverse." NFT services from HSBC were also mentioned, including "downloadable digital files authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs)."

By partnering with the blockchain-based virtual gaming platform The Sandbox, HSBC entered the metaverse in March. But HSBC Group CEO Noel Quinn said in September that the bank had no plans to use cryptocurrency.

A growing number of major businesses and financial institutions have submitted trademark applications for a variety of products and services relating to digital currency and the metaverse. In October, a number of companies, including Visa, PayPal, and Western Union, submitted trademark applications relating to cryptocurrency. The wallet trademark, which covers a number of virtual currencies and payment services, was issued to JPMorgan Chase last month.