- Demand for Pokémon trading card NFTs exploded over the week, with Collector Crypt opening 215,000 packs within the period.
Non-fungible token (NFT) collectibles are not yet dead. It was proven by Collector Crypt (CARDS), a gachapon platform launched in December 2024, as it exploded in trading volume over the past week. The Solana (SOL)-based platform also logged a new record for having the most Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) packs opened within the period.
Collector Crypt NFTs Achieve a New Weekly Record
According to reports, Collector Crypt tore open more than 215,000 Pokémon TCG packs last week. It led to a new record for the platform in a single week.
The event generated so much hype that it led to an unprecedented level of demand for CARDS. As a result, the platform’s fees spiked to their highest for 2026, contributing to its current annualized revenue of $51.57 million. Meanwhile, its token’s decentralized exchange (DEX) trading volume over the last 30 days climbed to $85.83 million, and its market cap soared to $69.82 million, per DeFiLlama data.
Along the way, the price of CARDS tokens leapt between $0.17 and $0.29 peak within the same timeframe, representing approximately 70% price action for the crypto asset. However, its recent weekly top remains roughly 23% away from its all-time high of $0.38 upon launch in September last year.
How the Business Works
Collector Crypt works by merging real-world asset (RWA) tokenization with the nostalgic thrill of traditional pack openings. It uses the traditional “gacha” mechanics, offering randomized pack-opening.
The company sells users digital packs comprising tokenized versions of real graded cards. Each NFT corresponds to a physical card with a PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) score, wherein 10 represents a “gem mint” rating.
Upon opening their digital packs, owners can sell their cards on on-chain NFT marketplaces, such as Magic Eden, or through Collector Crypt’s buyback system on Solana. Alternatively, they could redeem the cards’ physical versions, which are secured in the company’s vaults, or have them shipped to their address.
To date, Collector Crypt has facilitated the opening of more than 4.5 million digital packs across roughly 22,000 users. The undying Pokémon craze accounted for much of the platform’s demand, with the vintage 1st Edition Charizard a much-sought-after piece by collectors.
Furthermore, the business capitalizes on the continuously high demand in the global trading cards market. Based on Strategic Market Research’s forecast, the sector has the potential to reach a market cap of $23.5 billion by 2030. The figures represent a 6.5% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) from its $15.8 billion valuation in 2024.
