Coinbase Just Teased a Product With Nothing to Do With Crypto — or Does It?

Coinbase plans to let users open Pokémon card packs on their phones, with each digital pull tied to a real card.

The exchange teased the feature on X. However, it shared no launch date, pricing, or card list beyond saying it is coming soon.

How Coinbase Pokémon Cards Would Work

The teaser shows five Pokémon-branded packs numbered 01 to 05 in blue, silver, copper, gold, and black. The colors could point to different price tiers, although Coinbase has not confirmed this.

After ripping a pack, users can vault the card, meaning a custodian stores it for them. Alternatively, they can have the physical card shipped home.

When a user described the idea as Pokémon packs on the chain, Coinbase replied "you get it." That hints at an onchain element, though the exchange has not named a blockchain.

Coinbase has also not said whether The Pokémon Company licensed the product. Meanwhile, the model already exists elsewhere. GameStop sells digital Power Packs with PSA-graded Pokémon cards that buyers can vault, sell, or ship.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlzwcHzE-44&t=64s

Why a Crypto Exchange Wants Your Binder

Collectibles have attracted serious money this year. In August, Pokémon cards outpaced Bitcoin and the S&P 500 over three months. Polymarket also launched Pokémon card prediction markets, letting traders bet on card prices.