If no physical object is involved but rather just changes or reconfiguration of the - let's say - human brain, in the end, all possible states are limited by the (overall) entropy of our universe. If multiverses turned out to be accessible (i.e. empirical objects) then according to our current understanding there seems to be no limit.
The closest limit isn't "economical" but much more "biological"/"societal". If we destroy the livelihood of our species before understanding/appreciating it - let alone transcending it fully (which some folks claim to be right around the corner) - we are just another failed (alien) civilisation who couldn't get past the threshold.
The mathematical "exponential" part isn't the isolated problem but in combination with our limited understanding; flawed evaluation and the gross deficiencies in our current social structures (institutions, governments, bureaucracies, corporations, distribution of resources, conflicts of interests, "war" ...). The current economical incentives are just a reflection of that.