Retail giant Walmart has filed a number of documents with the US Patent and Trademark Office that suggest it will launch its own cryptocurrency and NFT collection.

The seven new trademarks, which were signed late in December, indicate the retailer plans to make and sell virtual goods from apparel to pet products.

One specific trademark description reads: “Financial services, namely, providing a digital currency and a digital token of value for use by members on an online community via a global computer network.”

Walmart has been ramping up its exploration of cryptocurrency adoption in recent months.

In August 2021, the company posted a job listing for a leader of cryptocurrency and digital products.

In October, Walmart announced the opening of Coinstar Bitcoin ATMs at selected US stores.

In a statement to CNBC, Walmart said: “we are continuously exploring how emerging technologies may shape future shopping experiences.

“We are testing new ideas all the time. Some ideas become products or services that make it to customers. And some we test, iterate, and learn from.”

Most major retailers are following similar steps. Following a slew of trademark applications, Nike bought virtual fashion company RTFKT Studios in December for an undisclosed amount.

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