More from my source on Coinbase
A source reports that Coinbase made contact with card vendors in August and spent approximately 4 weeks purchasing raw, unslabbed single cards in the thousands, focusing on high-grade Chase cards and popular Pokémon in the $10-$500 price range. The speaker questions whether Coinbase plans to repack these singles or has a relationship with PSA for grading.
Summary
According to an unnamed source, Coinbase initiated contact with card vendors in August regarding a significant purchasing initiative. Over a 4-week period, two primary buyers worked on behalf of Coinbase acquiring raw, unslabbed individual cards in substantial quantities (described as 'thousands'). The purchasing strategy was highly selective: they targeted minty condition cards, Chase brand cards, and popular Pokémon cards, while deliberately avoiding sports cards, trading card games (TCG), and other collectible card games. The price range for individual cards spanned from $10 to $500. The speaker is speculating about Coinbase's next steps, raising two possible scenarios: either Coinbase will become the first company to repack raw singles (a repackaging/rebranding operation), or there exists an undisclosed business relationship with PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) where PSA handled the grading of the acquired inventory.
Key Insights
- Coinbase made initial contact with card vendors in August and maintained an active purchasing operation for approximately 4 weeks with dedicated buying personnel
- The purchasing operation focused exclusively on Pokémon cards and Chase cards while deliberately excluding sports cards and other TCG products
- Coinbase acquired thousands of raw, unslabbed individual cards across a $10 to $500 price range during this 4-week window
- The acquisition strategy prioritized minty condition cards, suggesting quality standards were important to Coinbase's purchasing criteria
- The speaker is uncertain whether Coinbase intends to establish itself as a card repacker for raw singles or if they have an existing partnership with PSA for grading services
Topics
Transcript
[0:00] Just heard from a source on the whole Coinbase thing. Contact with vendors was made in August and for 4 weeks there were two main guys buying singles, not slabbed in the thousands. Minty stuff, Chase cards, popular Pokémon, no sports or TCG or other TCG. They were anywhere between $10 and $500. So, my question is, will Coinbase be the first to repack singles, like raw singles, or is there a relationship with PSA where they just slammed it with this
Full transcript available for MurmurCast members
Sign Up to AccessMore from Boston Card Hunter
Why Are Fortnite Cards So Hot Right Now?
Fortnite trading cards have become an unexpectedly hot market segment, surpassing vintage Disney and One Piece in recent momentum with 112% growth in three months. The cards feature extremely rare crystal shards (estimated ~100 of each character printed) and appeal to collectors through a combination of rarity, aesthetic design, and the game's cultural relevance, attracting traditional card collectors, investors, and nostalgic gamers alike.
More on Coinbase entering cards
Coinbase is reportedly entering the trading card market by using vendors to acquire inventory at 85-95% discounts with an unlimited budget, aiming to build base inventory quickly. The speaker believes this signals convergence between crypto and physical cards, with implications for modern Pokémon cards, card shows, and the broader market.
A Typo Has This Auction Running WILD
An eBay auction has generated significant attention due to a typo in the listing title. The seller would need to pay eBay's revision fee to fix the misspelling, but the high visibility from hundreds of viewers makes correction unlikely, potentially setting a record for the item.
Coinbase Is Entering The Repack Game
Coinbase has entered the repack business by selling digital Pokémon cards. The speaker speculates about future expansion into sports cards and questions the sourcing of inventory.
My PSA Experiment Did NOT Go as Planned
An autograph collector documents an experiment sending 50 graded PSA 9 cards to players for autographs, only to have most cards downgraded upon re-submission. He discovers that PSA's grading standards appear to have become stricter, with cards previously rated 9 now receiving 7s and 8s, resulting in significant value loss.