TL;DR
- Pokémon franchise has generated $100B in total revenue and celebrates 30 years.
- Collector Crypt’s $CARDS token surged to a $450M fully diluted valuation.
- Tokenized Pokémon cards have generated over half a billion in sales volume.
- Crypto platforms offer lower fees and instant buybacks compared to traditional markets.
- Skepticism exists among long-time collectors regarding the sustainability of this trend.
The Pokémon franchise, recognized as the highest-grossing media franchise globally, is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary next year. With total revenue surpassing $100 billion, the franchise continues to thrive through the introduction of new creatures, games, and merchandise. Central to its success is the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), which has released over 34,000 unique cards in English alone. These cards are distributed in generation sets every two years, creating a sense of scarcity that fuels collector demand and drives up secondary market prices. In 2025, average annual returns from TCG collectibles reached 46%, outpacing even major tech companies like Nvidia. Recently, the TCG collectible market has seen a significant influx of interest from the crypto sector, with platforms like Courtyard, Collector Crypt, and Phygitals generating over half a billion dollars in sales volume through tokenized secondary markets and gacha-style blind pack openings.
The recent launch of Collector Crypt’s $CARDS token has intensified discussions about the intersection of Pokémon and crypto. In just three days, the token experienced a tenfold increase, achieving a fully diluted valuation of $450 million, although only 20% of its supply was circulating at that time. Other collectible tokens, such as $ZARD, $MAGIK, and $TCG, also saw substantial gains during this period, although many of these increases have since receded. The platforms typically offer three main options for users: purchasing tokenized cards to redeem for physical cards, buying tokenized cards for resale, or engaging in gacha boxes to obtain rare cards. The latter has proven particularly popular, reflecting a broader trend of gambling-like behavior within the crypto market.
The appeal of crypto to Pokémon collectors stems from several potential advantages. One claim is that crypto platforms offer lower fees compared to traditional marketplaces like eBay and TCGPlayer, which can charge up to 13%. Blockchain-based platforms can provide fees that are 2-3 times lower. Additionally, these platforms may offer ‘programmability,’ such as giving users a percentage of fees when their sold packs are resold. However, there is skepticism about whether these blockchain-based trust guarantees will resonate with existing collectors, many of whom are accustomed to established vendor profiles on traditional sites.
Another claim is that crypto enables borrowing and lending against collectibles, a concept referred to as ‘TCGfi.’ This innovation could appeal to collectors who wish to realize value from their assets without selling them, especially given the Pokémon market’s size of approximately $6-7 billion. Instant buyback options for opened cards, allowing users to sell their pulls back for around 85% of market value, could also reduce sales friction.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding these developments, many long-time Pokémon collectors express skepticism about the sustainability of this trend. Some argue that the current excitement is driven more by speculation than by genuine interest in the collectibles themselves. The ongoing hype may lead to intensified boom-bust cycles within the TCG market, suggesting that this could be another speculative wave rather than a lasting shift in collector behavior. For those unfamiliar with Pokémon, it may be prudent to approach this market cautiously and seek to understand its dynamics before participating.
While current prices for both tokens and cards are high, the relationship between crypto and collectibles is complex. Crypto offers tangible advantages, such as lower fees and instant buybacks, but the majority of Pokémon enthusiasts are motivated by nostalgia and the physical experience of collecting rather than investment gains. As crypto investors enter the space, treating cards as volatile assets to flip, a fundamental mismatch in motivations emerges. This scenario suggests that two distinct communities are navigating the same field, with the current frenzy appearing more like crypto’s search for its next trend rather than a true convergence of interests. Although TCGfi presents a solution for collectors wanting liquidity without selling their cards, the evolution of this intersection will likely unfold gradually, marked by cycles of hype and disappointment. The current moment may not signify a breakthrough but rather an initial, chaotic attempt at integrating these two cultures.
In summary, the interaction between tokenization and Pokémon collectibles is still in its early stages, with potential benefits and significant skepticism existing on both sides.
See also: How to store Bitcoin safely
See also: What is DeFi?
Sources
- Will Tokenization Change Pokémon Forever? — https://www.bankless.com/read/will-tokenization-change-pokemon-forever
This article is a summarized news brief for informational purposes only. Not financial advice.
Sources
- Will Tokenization Change Pokémon Forever? — https://www.bankless.com/read/will-tokenization-change-pokemon-forever