Rhode Island’s ‘Blue Economy’ Goes Mainstream: First Floating Metaverse City Breaks Ground Off Newport Coast
Providence, RI — The Ocean State just redefined waterfront living. In a move that’s sent shockwaves through coastal real estate and tech sectors, Rhode Island broke ground yesterday on AquaNexus, the world’s first fully autonomous floating metaverse city. A collaboration between Providence-based Greensea Systems and global Web3 developers, the 50-acre platform off Newport will house 2,500 residents who can seamlessly live, work, and pay taxes in both physical reality and a synchronized digital twin. Critics warn of a new digital divide, but Governor Dan McKee called it “the next leap in human settlement.” Residents will have access to solar-powered AI homes, subsea farms, and a decentralized governance model with votes secured by blockchain. First phase occupancy is expected by 2026, with daily virtual tours already selling out.