From Real Estate to the Internet, Where Lies the Wealth Code for the Next Decade?
The article explores where the next decade's wealth opportunities lie, arguing that each generation’s “wealth code” is shaped by its unique experiences—from real estate and manufacturing in the 70s to internet and tech stocks in the 80s and 90s. For Gen Z and beyond, the key may be virtual economies and digital assets, exemplified by platforms like Roblox.
Roblox is not just a game but a financial training ground where young users learn business, economics, and investment through creating and trading virtual items. Examples include teens earning millions by developing games, learning pricing, team management, and ROI in the process. Roblox paid over $1 billion to creators in a year, with top earners making around $1 million annually. However, over 99% earn under $1,000, reflecting real-world economic dynamics.
Traditional institutions like TD Bank are taking note, launching educational games on Roblox to engage youth where they are, recognizing that financial literacy is shifting from physical banks to digital environments. Meanwhile, brands like e.l.f. Beauty and fintech firms are also entering this space, blurring lines between industries.
The piece highlights a generational shift in asset perception: virtual items (e.g., CS:GO skins valued at $5.8 billion) and cryptocurrencies are seen as legitimate assets by Gen Z, with 51% owning crypto and fewer than 50% holding traditional bank accounts. Trust is moving from institutions to digital consensus and code-based systems.
Three forces drive this trend: cognitive lock-in (investing in familiar digital realms), intergenerational trust transfer (from physical assets to virtual consensus), and network effects (collective engagement boosting value). Roblox, often mislabeled as a game company, acts as a central bank, regulator, and economic infrastructure—issuing currency, taking transaction fees, and maintaining ecosystem stability. Its “losses” are strategic, akin to early-stage Alipay, investing in habit-forming infrastructure.
The conclusion: the next decade’s wealth will be built where young people spend time—virtual worlds that blend entertainment, economy, and education. Understanding their redefinition of assets and trust is key to foreseeing future financial landscapes.
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