Jiani, a sales associate at a luxury handbag brand and an avid collector of trendy toys, didn’t hold back when sharing her sales secret with BlockBeats:
"Complimenting their bags is fine, but praising the Labubu hanging on their bag works even better—it makes clients feel understood."

This marks the sixth year of Labubu’s collaboration with Pop Mart. While the figurine first gained traction in China around 2020, its global explosion came after BLACKPINK’s Lisa was spotted sporting it on her Louis Vuitton and Hermès bags in a series of paparazzi shots last year.

Soon, A-listers worldwide joined the trend. Rihanna flaunted a pink Labubu on her LV tote at the airport; Dua Lipa’s Instagram post featuring two Labubus on her orange purse went viral; and Lisa, already a household name among Chinese youth, became an unofficial brand ambassador with her Instagram Stories showcasing walls of Labubu collectibles.

For the average person, Labubu offers an affordable entry into elite fashion circles. At under ¥200, it’s a star-approved accessory. Snagging a rare "hidden edition" (with odds below 1%) can multiply its value tenfold, while even common versions deliver social currency when displayed on bags or shared online.

"There are tricks to identifying hidden editions—listen for a rustling sound, check the side texture, or weigh them," Jiani revealed. Her ability to spot these rarities helped her secure coveted pieces for clients when others struck out.

Labubu’s rise mirrors the trajectory of NFTs. In 2021, Beeple’s NFT artwork sold for $69.3 million at Christie’s, catapulting digital collectibles into mainstream consciousness. Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), initially priced at 0.08 ETH (~$200), became a status symbol endorsed by celebrities from Jimmy Fallon to Justin Bieber, with peak sales hitting $400,000 per ape.

Both Labubu and NFTs thrive on:

• Iconic visuals that signal identity.

• Artificial scarcity (limited editions, rare traits).

• Celebrity-driven hype.

• Secondary-market speculation.

Yet their fates diverged post-2022. As crypto winter froze NFT valuations (BAYC floor prices crashed 90%), Labubu solidified its reign. Pop Mart’s stock soared, briefly eclipsing Gucci’s parent company in market cap. Limited-edition Labubu collabs now command 20x premiums, like the ¥599 Vans collaboration reselling for $2,000–$3,000 overseas.

Half a month ago, the CSGO skin market crashed by 30%, mirroring crypto’s infamous "312" plunge. Yet its resilience is undeniable:

• $4.5 billion market cap (per Dexerto).

• 113 million cases unboxed in 2025’s first four months, generating ~$300 million for Valve via $2.49 keys.

Introduced in 2013, CSGO skins predate NFTs but share their DNA:

• Rarity tiers (Factory New to Battle-Scarred).

• Pattern templates (e.g., the "Blue Gem" AK-47, worth millions due to unique coloration).

• Narrative value (e-sports stickers skyrocket if teams disband).

Initially fueled by skin gambling (shut down by Valve in 2016), the market matured into a liquidity powerhouse. Platforms like BUFF enabled arbitrage, while influencers like streamer "Qiezi" boosted adoption. Today, Bilibili hosts skin appraisal guides, cementing CSGO’s status as "off-chain NFTs" with superior liquidity.

If Labubu and CSGO skins represent curated hype, meme coins are democratic chaos. Consider PEPE:

• No utility, just a frog meme.

• 7,000% surge in 72 hours, $1B+ market cap.

• Endorsed by crypto elites like Arthur Hayes.

Like Bitcoin—the original meme embodying anti-establishment ideals—these tokens thrive on cultural resonance over fundamentals. Even Donald Trump launched a meme coin, with Chinese trader "0xSun" netting tens of millions in 48 hours.

The playbook is universal:

1. Low entry + lottery appeal (FOMO bait).

2. Visual virality (dogs, frogs, anime).

3. Community-driven pumps (no roadmap, just vibes).

From AJ1 sneakers to Hermès bags, every generation has its speculative totems. For Gen Z, the formula is clear:

• Identity signaling (owning = belonging).

• Controlled scarcity (limited drops).

• Narrative hype (celebrity cosigns, inside jokes).

As Yuval Harari noted in Sapiens, humans built civilizations through shared myths. Today’s youth wield Labubus, CSGO knives, and PEPE as tribal badges—irrational yet irresistibly valuable.

Key Figures:

• Labubu x Vans shoes: Resold at $2K–$3K (vs. retail ¥599).

• CSGO "Blue Gem" AK-47: ~¥1M for top patterns.

• PEPE coin: 7,000% ROI in 3 days

Jiani, a sales associate at a luxury handbag brand and an avid collector of trendy toys, didn’t hold back when sharing her sales secret with BlockBeats:
"Complimenting their bags is fine, but praising the Labubu hanging on their bag works even better—it makes clients feel understood."

This marks the sixth year of Labubu’s collaboration with Pop Mart. While the figurine first gained traction in China around 2020, its global explosion came after BLACKPINK’s Lisa was spotted sporting it on her Louis Vuitton and Hermès bags in a series of paparazzi shots last year.

Soon, A-listers worldwide joined the trend. Rihanna flaunted a pink Labubu on her LV tote at the airport; Dua Lipa’s Instagram post featuring two Labubus on her orange purse went viral; and Lisa, already a household name among Chinese youth, became an unofficial brand ambassador with her Instagram Stories showcasing walls of Labubu collectibles.

For the average person, Labubu offers an affordable entry into elite fashion circles. At under ¥200, it’s a star-approved accessory. Snagging a rare "hidden edition" (with odds below 1%) can multiply its value tenfold, while even common versions deliver social currency when displayed on bags or shared online.

"There are tricks to identifying hidden editions—listen for a rustling sound, check the side texture, or weigh them," Jiani revealed. Her ability to spot these rarities helped her secure coveted pieces for clients when others struck out.

Labubu’s rise mirrors the trajectory of NFTs. In 2021, Beeple’s NFT artwork sold for $69.3 million at Christie’s, catapulting digital collectibles into mainstream consciousness. Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), initially priced at 0.08 ETH (~$200), became a status symbol endorsed by celebrities from Jimmy Fallon to Justin Bieber, with peak sales hitting $400,000 per ape.

Both Labubu and NFTs thrive on:

• Iconic visuals that signal identity.

• Artificial scarcity (limited editions, rare traits).

• Celebrity-driven hype.

• Secondary-market speculation.

Yet their fates diverged post-2022. As crypto winter froze NFT valuations (BAYC floor prices crashed 90%), Labubu solidified its reign. Pop Mart’s stock soared, briefly eclipsing Gucci’s parent company in market cap. Limited-edition Labubu collabs now command 20x premiums, like the ¥599 Vans collaboration reselling for $2,000–$3,000 overseas.

Half a month ago, the CSGO skin market crashed by 30%, mirroring crypto’s infamous "312" plunge. Yet its resilience is undeniable:

• $4.5 billion market cap (per Dexerto).

• 113 million cases unboxed in 2025’s first four months, generating ~$300 million for Valve via $2.49 keys.

Introduced in 2013, CSGO skins predate NFTs but share their DNA:

• Rarity tiers (Factory New to Battle-Scarred).

• Pattern templates (e.g., the "Blue Gem" AK-47, worth millions due to unique coloration).

• Narrative value (e-sports stickers skyrocket if teams disband).

Initially fueled by skin gambling (shut down by Valve in 2016), the market matured into a liquidity powerhouse. Platforms like BUFF enabled arbitrage, while influencers like streamer "Qiezi" boosted adoption. Today, Bilibili hosts skin appraisal guides, cementing CSGO’s status as "off-chain NFTs" with superior liquidity.

If Labubu and CSGO skins represent curated hype, meme coins are democratic chaos. Consider PEPE:

• No utility, just a frog meme.

• 7,000% surge in 72 hours, $1B+ market cap.

• Endorsed by crypto elites like Arthur Hayes.

Like Bitcoin—the original meme embodying anti-establishment ideals—these tokens thrive on cultural resonance over fundamentals. Even Donald Trump launched a meme coin, with Chinese trader "0xSun" netting tens of millions in 48 hours.

The playbook is universal:

1. Low entry + lottery appeal (FOMO bait).

2. Visual virality (dogs, frogs, anime).

3. Community-driven pumps (no roadmap, just vibes).

From AJ1 sneakers to Hermès bags, every generation has its speculative totems. For Gen Z, the formula is clear:

• Identity signaling (owning = belonging).

• Controlled scarcity (limited drops).

• Narrative hype (celebrity cosigns, inside jokes).

As Yuval Harari noted in Sapiens, humans built civilizations through shared myths. Today’s youth wield Labubus, CSGO knives, and PEPE as tribal badges—irrational yet irresistibly valuable.

Key Figures:

• Labubu x Vans shoes: Resold at $2K–$3K (vs. retail ¥599).

• CSGO "Blue Gem" AK-47: ~¥1M for top patterns.

• PEPE coin: 7,000% ROI in 3 days