Labubus Outshine NFTs in Collectible Craze

Labubus, the sinister yet adorable monsters created by Hong Kong-Belgian artist Kasing Lung, have achieved what most NFT collections have failed to do—capture lasting public fascination. Unlike blockchain-based collectibles, Labubus gained mainstream traction through a 2019 partnership with toymaker Pop Mart and celebrity endorsements, including BlackPink's Lisa.

The success of Labubus highlights a stark contrast with NFT projects, which have largely struggled to sustain cultural relevance beyond speculative trading. While collections like Pudgy Penguins found minor success with retail partnerships, none have matched the organic virality of traditional collectibles like Pokémon or Beanie Babies.

Crypto-native artists continue chasing the elusive formula for creating universally beloved characters that also drive financial value. Yet Labubus demonstrates that mass appeal still favors tangible, non-blockchain avenues—for now.