Labubu evolves from a cult toy figure to a Solana-based meme coin, gaining global traction with a market cap exceeding $56 million.
Celebrity endorsements and viral social media fueled Labubu’s collectible craze, turning it into a Gen Z cultural icon and alternative investment asset.
$LABUBU’s success merges fandom and blockchain but faces risks from volatility, legal uncertainty, and increasing competition in the meme coin space.
Amid the global wave of collectible culture, Labubu, a character under PopMart, has undoubtedly become a shining star.
This sharp-eared, fanged, furry, and quirky “forest elf” has not only taken the physical toy market by storm but has also successfully crossed over into the Web3 world through the $LABUBU meme coin on the Solana blockchain.
With its market cap surpassing $56 million, the token recently skyrocketed by 98.35%.
FROM A POP CULTURE ICON TO A SPECULATIVE STAR IN CRYPTO
From a picture book character by a Hong Kong artist to a trendy symbol among Gen Z worldwide and now a rising star in the cryptocurrency market, Labubu’s ascent is a perfect collision of culture and capital.
Labubu’s story began in 2015 when Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung first sketched this half-rabbit, half-monster creature in the Nordic-mythology-inspired picture book The Monsters.
With its long rabbit ears, nine tiny fangs, furry body, and mischievous expression, Labubu presented a distinct “ugly-cute” aesthetic that stood apart from traditional cute designs.
This contrast quickly resonated with young consumers seeking individuality, planting the seeds of Labubu’s popularity.
In 2019, Pop Mart, recognizing the potential of this IP, introduced Labubu into its blind box series, launching plush keychains and vinyl figurines—setting off a frenzy in the global designer toy market.
THE BLIND BOX EFFECT AND SKYROCKETING VALUE
Pop Mart’s blind box model provided the perfect stage for Labubu’s explosive success. Consumers, driven by the thrill of surprise and the chase for rare hidden editions, found their excitement amplified by the gamble-meets-collection experience.
In 2024, Labubu’s “Forward High Energy” blind box series was released globally. While the original price of a standard figure was 99 yuan, market hype pushed resale prices up by 10 to 200%. Rare hidden editions soared to 2,300 yuan—over 20 times the original price.
In Thailand, stories emerged of Labubu being traded for a Hermès bag; in London’s Harrods, collectors swapped them for Kelly bags; and at a toy expo in Shanghai, three iPhone 14 Pros were exchanged for a single rare figure.
This frenzy not only highlighted Labubu’s collectible value but turned it into a “hard currency” among Gen Z circles—almost a form of alternative investment.
Pop Mart’s globalization strategy further fueled Labubu’s worldwide influence. In 2024, Pop Mart’s overseas revenue rose by 259.6% year-on-year. Labubu sparked buying frenzies in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Japan.
In Thailand, long queues formed for blind boxes, and the country’s tourism board named Labubu an “Amazing Thailand Experience Officer,” treating it as a symbol of cultural export.
Labubu was no longer just a toy but a transnational cultural icon linking global toy enthusiasts through shared emotions and identity.
CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENT AND SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ
Labubu’s global rise owes much to celebrity culture and the viral power of social media. Starting in 2024, Labubu began appearing in the daily lives of international stars.
BLACKPINK’s Lisa shared Labubu keychains on Instagram, igniting enthusiasm among fans in South Korea and Southeast Asia, leading to local toy market sell-outs.
Pop icon Rihanna was photographed carrying a Labubu figure, with the images featured in Western fashion magazines. British avant-garde artists incorporated Labubu into installation artworks, and even David Beckham integrated Labubu elements into his fashion brand.
These unintentional endorsements greatly boosted Labubu’s exposure, elevating it from a niche toy to a global fashion symbol.
Social media provided fertile ground for Labubu’s viral popularity. On TikTok and Instagram, Gen Z users showcased their Labubu collections, shared DIY customization videos, and created Labubu memes—building a vibrant content ecosystem.
These user-generated contents not only strengthened community belonging but also turned Labubu into a form of “visual social currency,” representing youth taste and cultural attitudes.
By May 2025, Labubu’s global Google search volume surged 480%, surpassing traditional meme icons like Pepe and DOGE, with especially strong performance in Asia and Western markets.
This culture-driven virality not only consolidated Labubu’s position in the physical market but also laid a solid foundation for the rise of the $LABUBU meme coin.
$LABUBU MEME COIN: A CULTURAL IP EXPERIMENT IN WEB3
In October 2024, the $LABUBU meme coin launched on Solana’s Pump.fun platform. Although not officially licensed by Pop Mart, the token rapidly gained attention in the crypto community thanks to Labubu’s global IP popularity.
Solana, known for its low transaction fees and high throughput, provided an ideal ecosystem for meme coins.
$LABUBU quickly stood out: it briefly reached a $10 million market cap at launch, later dropped below $1 million, and recently surged again—from $814,700 to $49.16 million, a 5,934% increase—triggered by the hot sales of Labubu’s third-generation toys and a sellout event in the UK that sparked FOMO (fear of missing out).
The success of $LABUBU isn’t just a speculative bubble—it’s the deep fusion of culture and technology. First, Labubu’s globally recognized IP offers a strong fan base and emotional connection, setting it apart from short-lived meme coins.
From Lisa’s social media appearances to the buying frenzy in Thailand, Labubu’s cultural narrative gives $LABUBU a unique value anchor.
Second, Solana’s technical advantages offer a highly efficient trading environment. With zero tax, locked liquidity, and no team token allocation, the coin emphasizes decentralized governance.
Holders can participate in exclusive art events and access limited-edition Labubu collectibles, which significantly strengthens community engagement.
However, the rise of $LABUBU also carries notable risks. Meme coins are notoriously volatile—$LABUBU saw a 26.06% single-day drop in May 2025, highlighting its speculative nature.
Moreover, since it lacks Pop Mart’s official endorsement, the coin faces legal and compliance uncertainties, especially in today’s tightening regulatory environment.
Competition is also intensifying: Solana sees 3–5 new meme coins daily, leading to capital dilution and market saturation.
According to DexScreener, there have been 27 derivative meme coins using the Labubu name since 2024, making counterfeit risks another concern for investors.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR INVESTING IN THE LABUBU CRAZE
For investors and fans hoping to participate in the Labubu frenzy, $LABUBU presents both opportunity and challenge. First, choosing a reliable trading platform is critical.
DEXs like Raydium, DexScreener, and GMGN offer transparent trading environments. The official contract address—JB2wezZLdzWfnaCfHxLg193RS3Rh51ThiXxEDWQDpump—is key to distinguishing genuine tokens from fakes.
Second, due to meme coins’ extreme volatility, investors must practice strict risk management—only invest what you can afford to lose and avoid buying at peaks. Staying updated with community activity is also an effective way to keep a finger on the market’s pulse.
Lastly, be wary of “rug pulls.” While $LABUBU currently shows decentralized token distribution (top 10 wallets hold only 13%), continued monitoring of liquidity allocation transparency remains essential.
LABUBU’S FUTURE: A SUPER IP IN CULTURE AND DIGITAL ASSETS
Labubu’s success isn’t just a cross-industry experiment between collectibles and blockchain—it reveals a new potential for cultural IPs in the Web3 era.
Unlike pure digital meme coins like $PEPE or $MOODENG, $LABUBU’s foundation in a globally popular physical IP gives it stronger risk resistance and narrative power.
Analysts predict that if the meme coin market remains hot through 2025, $LABUBU’s market cap could surpass $150 million, with a price target of $0.50—about 15 times current levels.
However, achieving this depends on several factors: whether Pop Mart can continue releasing innovative Labubu products to maintain IP momentum; whether $LABUBU can expand its utility through NFTs or blockchain games; and whether Pop Mart’s global strategy can provide broader market reach.
On a broader level, Labubu’s rise reflects a new business logic: culture equals value. Gen Z’s pursuit of individuality, community, and digital assets is reshaping the boundaries of consumption and investment.
Labubu is not just a quirky collectible or a Solana token—it’s a super-symbol that bridges Web2 and Web3, physical and digital realms.
Whether you’re a toy enthusiast or a crypto investor, Labubu’s story offers a thought-provoking lens on how to capture future opportunities at the intersection of culture and capital.
〈Labubu Token Surges, From PopMart Collectibles to Solana-Based Meme Coin Craze〉這篇文章最早發佈於《CoinRank》。
