Bitwise Says Pokémon Cards Could See Their Own ‘Polymarket Moment’
Pokémon trading cards, which enthusiasts have loved for a long time, might go digital. Danny Nelson, a research analyst, recently stated that these cards could have a “Polymarket moment,” which means they could surge in value rapidly, similar to the blockchain-based prediction market platform.
Pokémon cards have a $21.4 billion market, and they are poised to utilize blockchain technology to facilitate quicker, securer, and more efficient trades. The trading card market is primarily offline, relying on physical meetups and shipping. This differs from stocks and bonds, which already have robust digital systems.
Why Blockchain is a excellent Idea for Pokémon Cards
The way people trade right now is often awkward. tradeers must mail rare cards, such as Charizard or Pikachu, often with appraisals, which can sluggish down sales and increase prices. Tokenization on the blockchain could change this by transforming ownership into digital assets and enabling instant trading with . Collector Crypt, which is built on Solana, is already leading the way.
Since its introduction, the value of its CARDS token has gone up tenfold, reaching $450 million. In just one week, its Gacha Machine project made $16.6 million. This gamified method, similar to loot boxes, allows users to purchase digital packs linked to real cards stored in vaults. It combines nostalgia with new ideas in
A Comparison to Polymarket’s Success
Polymarket revolutionized prediction markets by providing a platform for people to wager on real-world events without relying on a central authority. It gained considerable popularity during the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Similarly, tokenizing Pokémon cards could attract a large group of collectors and crypto enthusiasts, creating a vibrant global market.
Nelson says that tokenization assists traditional assets like real estate somewhat, but it significantly benefits collectibles like Pokémon cards because their trading mechanisms are informal and inefficient. Last year, the social auction software Whatnot assisted trade $3 billion worth of Pokémon cards, illustrating the potential size of the industry.
What Will Happen to Collectibles in Crypto
The development of tokenized Pokémon cards is part of a largeger trend: going on-chain. In 2025, the RWA crypto market is expected to be worth $28.2 billion, but collectibles could also find their own place within it.
Pokémon may be a long way off, but sites like Collector Crypt are demonstrating that blockchain can modernize trading collectibles. As NFT trading volumes rise, reaching $578 million in August 2025, this mix of Web2 nostalgia and Web3 innovation could change the way we value and platform cultural assets.
