The Integration of NFT Technology and Mystery Box Economy: The Rise of New Digital Collectibles

As a representative of new consumption, Pop Mart successfully went public in just a few years, bringing important insights to the entire NFT space. Although the mystery box model was not originally created by Pop Mart, it successfully brought this concept to the public.

As early as 1996, Pokémon began issuing TCG cards, sparking a collecting craze. As of 2019, this series of cards has been issued in 77 countries and regions worldwide, with total sales exceeding 27.2 billion cards. Similarly, the "Yu-Gi-Oh!" TCG cards had sales of 1.7 billion RMB in 2019.

The gaming industry has also widely adopted similar mechanisms. The treasure chests in DOTA2 and the card drawing system in Onmyoji both utilize this consumer stimulation method. From paper cards to electronic collectibles, and then to NFTs on the blockchain, this is seen as a natural development path by innovators.

In 2018, the Crypto Kitties application on Ethereum became a sensation, drawing attention to NFT technology. In the same year, the game Gods Unchained began its presale, turning cards into NFTs and pioneering a new gaming model.

However, the physical mystery box model also has its concerns. Pop Mart has launched a large number of "hidden versions" to stimulate consumption, which has raised some users' doubts. They worry that merchants might manipulate scarcity, affecting the value of collectibles.

In contrast, NFT technology can address issues of scarcity and permanent preservation. The uniqueness and indivisibility of NFTs ensure the authenticity and scarcity of the assets, while blockchain technology guarantees the permanence of the data.

NFT can bring higher liquidity and financial attributes to collectibles. The circulation of traditional mystery boxes and electronic collectibles is often limited, while NFTs can be freely traded on the blockchain. Games like Gods Unchained have already demonstrated how NFTs can form a complete economic cycle.

IP management is the key to the success of the mystery box economy. Pop Mart supports the company's high valuation through the successful operation of IPs like Molly. The NFT field similarly needs high-quality IPs to attract users. Some projects, such as the GoPepe series on the WAX blockchain, have already demonstrated the importance of IP in the development of NFTs.

Despite the bright prospects, the development of NFTs still faces many challenges. High gas fees, slow transaction speeds, and other technical issues affect user experience. Problems such as inadequate infrastructure and lack of industry standards also need urgent resolution.

In the future, with technological advancements and the improvement of the ecosystem, NFTs are expected to become an important part of the digital collectibles market, bringing new opportunities for creators and collectors.