Coinbase Teases Pokémon Card Packs Backed by Physical Collectibles

In-App Pack Opening Experience

Coinbase is building functionality that lets users open Pokémon trading card packs directly from their mobile app. Each card pulled from a pack is backed by a corresponding physical card held in Coinbase's custody. Buyers can elect to keep cards in the vault or request shipment to their address, according to the company's preview.

Custody and Trading Model

Tokenizing physical card packs reduces friction in secondary trading by automating settlement and eliminating the need for third-party grading or authentication services. The dual-custody model—vault storage or direct shipment—addresses a core pain point in collectibles markets: buyers must choose between convenience and control. Coinbase's compliance infrastructure and exchange connectivity position it as a more credible counterparty than existing collectibles platforms for high-value cards.

Broader Collectibles Landscape

The move signals growing institutional interest in bridging physical and digital asset markets. Other platforms have experimented with tokenized collectibles, but few have combined mobile accessibility with physical custody at Coinbase's scale. Whether the offering drives meaningful volume will depend on adoption by both collectors and secondary buyers, as well as pricing relative to traditional card retailers and secondary markets.