I have been thinking about this for sometimes.
If the metaverse becomes a reality, what will be the significant roles of crypto in its economy?
If crypto such as bitcoin, Mana, Sand are used as means of transaction in the metaverse what will be the reaction of the government?
Bitcoin is a dinosaur and we are still experiencing the pre-historic era in cryptospace. So there are few centuries left for bitcoin to rule the market as the most dominant and valuable crypto.
Metaverse is a different concept. Bitcoin is not specifically built for Metaverse. To be able to function in metaverse, bitcoin jeeds to have a smart contract facility which unfortunately is not present. So I foresee a rise of small cryptos like SAND, MANA, UPS etc built specifically on purpose.
But no matter whatever happens in metaverse, cryptos like bitcoin will remain as a layer among metaverse and real world. That's the only and most valuable role bitcoin will play here.