Tokenized Pokémon cards generated $124 million in August
- Trading of tokenized Pokémon cards grows 5,5 times
- Collector Crypt and Courtyard lead the market in August
- CARDS Token Skyrockets 10-Fold After Launch
Pokémon trading cards are gaining traction in the real-world asset (RWA) tokenization space. In August, four major marketplaces handled $124,5 million in tokenized card trades, a 5,5x increase compared to January, according to Messari data.
Tokenized Pokémon TCG volumes are going parabolic.
Last month, the four main marketplaces facilitated $124.5 million in volume, a 5.5x increase from January. Broken down by individual marketplaces: @Courtyard_io is the top dog, with $78.4 million in volume in August (+49%… pic.twitter.com/fBE7xXKNmQ
— AJC (@AvgJoesCrypto) September 3, 2025
Courtyard led the sector during the period, registering $78,4 million in trading volume, while Collector Crypt totaled $44 million. Smaller platforms like Phygitals and Emporium also experienced accelerated growth, reinforcing the trend that retailers are increasingly embracing this model.
According to Danny Nelson, an analyst at Bitwise, Pokémon cards represent a multibillion-dollar market without strong institutional structures, making them fertile ground for tokenization. He compared the move to what happened with Polymarket in prediction markets, highlighting how blockchain can fill gaps in segments that lack ETFs or traditional investment funds.
Pokémon and other TCGs are about to have their “Polymarket moment.” Here's why you should be paying attention:
Most of crypto's teal world asset (RWA) plays cater to well-established TradFi markets, like treasuries, real estate, gold and stocks. Sure, tokenization brings these…
— Danny Nelson (@realDannyNelson) September 3, 2025
Collector Crypt, a Solana-based marketplace, is at the center of this transformation. The platform allows collectors to tokenize physical cards, minting NFTs that can be traded instantly. Simon Dedic, founder of Moonrock Capital, said: “This has given crypto degenerates the chance to collect real-world Pokémon RWAs in a gamified, randomized, and crypto-native way. Exactly what the market didn't know it needed—and instantly became addicted to.”
This enthusiasm was directly reflected in the performance of the platform's native token. CARDS increased tenfold in value in less than a week after its launch, reaching a fully diluted valuation of $450 million.
Interest was also driven by the so-called "Gacha Machine," a random card-selling system that alone generated $16,6 million in just one week. Demand was so intense that the team behind it struggled to keep the resource stocked.
The marketplace is estimated to generate $38 million in annualized revenue, with traders expected to benefit from buybacks, boosting the token's value. This growth demonstrates how the tokenized collectibles sector is consolidating itself as a new niche within the cryptocurrency market.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
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