Mattias 'Kaj' Johansson, the creator of the Ethereum-based XPUNKs collection, predcts a massive surge in Web3 trading card games (TCGs) driven by hybrid physical-digital products. Speaking to U.Today, Johansson suggests that combining tangible booster packs with blockchain technology will attract significant institutional interest, including venture capital and specialized ETFs.

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A 1990s Pokémon-style surge for the blockchain era

The shift toward hybrid assets represents a move away from the purely digital era of profile picture (PFP) collections. As reported by U.Today, Johansson believes that the mass market requires tangible items they can hold in their hands to foster long-term engagement. this evolution mirrors the explosive rise of the Pokémon franchise in the 1990s, where physical ownership drove community bonds.

Unlike the speculative volatility of purely digital art, a well-balanced TCG requires complex mathematics. Johansson points out that a standard 150-card deck can produce more combinations than there are atoms in the universe, creating a high barrier to entry for low-effort projects. Because physical production takes significantly longer than onchain deployment, projects that prioritize early development in logistics and production may hold a strategic advantage.

The 100,000 booster pack experiment on the XRP Ledger

The success of the Fuzzycards project on the XRP Ledger serves as a primary case study for this hybrid model. According to the report, the project saw an issuance of approximately 100,000 booster packs, where NFT holders could "burn" their digital assets to receive physical cards. This concept is already expanding into the Bitcoin network through the Taproot-based Rune-X-PUNKs.

This move suggests that the utility of blockchain is moving toward bridging the gap between digital scarcity and physical collectability . By linking a digital token to a physical object, developers can create a more robust ecosystem that appeals to traditional collectors and crypto enthusiasts alike.

Will major brands like Harry Potter or Mario embrace onchain rails?

While Johansson predicts that intellectual prpoerties like Harry Potter, Mario, or Tolkien's Middle-earth will eventually move their TCGs onto onchain rails to control secondary markets, several variables remain unverified:

  • It is currently unknown if massive global brands possess the appetite to integrate with blockchain-based distribution.
  • The report does not address how the physical logistics of shipping millions of booster packs would scale globally for a brand like Nintendo.
  • The actual mechanism for the predicted arrival of TCG ETFs remains a theoretical projection rather than a documented financial reality.

The influx of VCs and specialized TCG ETFs

The ultimate goal for this emerging sector is the entry of institutional capital. Johansson predicts that the market is currently in its early stages, positioning it for a massive expansion as hedge funds, venture capitalists, and specialized TCG ETFs enter the fray. This transition could fundamentally change how intellectual property is monetized.

By moving TCGs onto onchain rails, major brands could potentially gain unprecedented control over their secondary markets, turning a traditional hobby into a highly regulated and liquid digital economy. This potential for controlled, transparent secondary sales is what Johansson believes will eventually draw in the heavy hitters of the financial world.