One summer evening in 2025, the city streets were bustling with people. A couple arguing in front of a trendy toy store caught the attention of passersby.

"This little thing is worth at most a meal, what’s the point?" the boy complained with a frown.

"Money isn’t much, but if I think it’s cute, it’s worth it!" the girl said defiantly, before turning to go into the store, probably to make a purchase.

This scene is amusing. Labubu, the 'ugly-cute' little monster that has swept the globe, once again sparked discussions about 'worth it or not'. Meanwhile, another name surfaced in the mind: Bitcoin. A plush toy and a string of digital codes, seemingly unrelated, yet weaves a wonderful story under the theme of 'value'.

The Rise of Labubu: From Blind Boxes to Emotional Attachment

What is Labubu? Designed by Hong Kong artist Long Jiasheng, it was turned into a star of the blind box industry by Pop Mart. With its small body, big eyes, and a mischievous grin showing two sharp teeth—this 'ugly-cute' style subverts traditional cuteness but unexpectedly becomes a favorite among young people. Since 2024, Labubu has swept the globe, with even Rihanna and BLACKPINK's Lisa becoming fans, making it a trendy symbol to hang on bags.

Where does its value come from? A blind box costs several dozen yuan, which could yield a common version or a rare version with a 1/72 chance, potentially selling for thousands or even tens of thousands. Pop Mart's financial report shows that the 'Monster' series income skyrocketed by 726.6% in 2024, with Labubu playing a significant role. But it’s not merely a product of 'speculation'. For fans, Labubu is an emotional anchor—joy of collection, anticipation of unboxing, and satisfaction of ownership. This 'extra value' far exceeds practicality, making people willing to spend money on a bundle of fluff.

For example, there’s Xiaoya, an avid Labubu collector. She once queued for three hours at dawn just to purchase a limited edition. When she finally got it, she excitedly posted on her social media, "It’s worth it! This is my little treasure." For her, it’s not just a toy, but a source of happiness. Value is perhaps never an objective number, but a subjective emotion.

The Legend of Bitcoin: From Pizza to Belief

Meanwhile, another wave of value discussion unfolded in the digital world. Bitcoin, a product of the 2008 financial crisis, was initially just a geek's toy. In 2010, someone exchanged 10,000 Bitcoins for two pizzas—at that time, no one anticipated that this transaction would be worth hundreds of millions today. Back then, Bitcoin was virtually worthless, but 15 years later, it broke $100,000, being hailed as 'digital gold'.

Bitcoin has no physical form, cannot be touched, yet stands firm on 'scarcity' (with a cap of 21 million) and 'consensus'. From Japan to Australia, it is gradually being legalized; Hong Kong even launched Asia's first Bitcoin ETF. Its value isn’t in buying coffee, but in the belief people have in it—decentralized dreams of freedom and bets on the future.

Ale, a programmer, bought Bitcoin with several thousand yuan in 2017 and then 'forgot about it'. When he checked again in 2025, his account had multiplied several times. He said, "I’m not a gambler, but I believe in it. Just like gold, which has been trusted for thousands of years, Bitcoin could also become a new belief."

The Intersection of Value: The Wonderful Resonance of Labubu and Bitcoin

Labubu and Bitcoin, one is a plush toy and the other is a digital currency, seemingly unrelated, yet they converge on the essence of 'value':

  • Emotionally Driven: Labubu brings joy, while Bitcoin inspires longing. Both transcend practicality and ignite enthusiasm through emotion.

  • Scarcity: Labubu creates scarcity through blind boxes, while Bitcoin sets a cap through algorithms. Scarcity transforms them from ordinary to precious.

  • The Power of Consensus: Labubu’s value comes from the affection of its fans, while Bitcoin’s value comes from the trust of global investors. Without consensus, they are just toys and codes.

Imagine Xiaoya and Ale chatting about their respective 'treasures'.

Xiaoya: "My limited edition Labubu has risen to 3,000 yuan!"

Ale: "My Bitcoin account hit a new high again yesterday!"

The two exchanged smiles, discovering that their enthusiasm was so similar—both were chasing 'extra value' and holding on to a certain belief.

Xiaoya's Awakening

Xiaoya's story began with her collection of Labubu, as she became addicted to the thrill of opening blind boxes. Later, introduced by Ale, she came into contact with Bitcoin. At first, she thought it was 'too virtual', but looking at the price curves of Labubu and Bitcoin, she suddenly understood: value is not fixed; it is fluid, shaped by human hearts.

She began investing small amounts in Bitcoin while continuing to collect Labubu. One day in 2025, she sold a rare Labubu for 5,000 yuan and used that money to buy more Bitcoin. Six months later, her portfolio doubled. She smiled and said, "Labubu taught me about emotional value, while Bitcoin showed me the power of consensus. They both tell me: whether it’s worth it depends on your belief."

Epilogue: The Secret of Value

That day’s argument on the street had no answer. But perhaps the answer isn’t important. Is Labubu worth it? Should we invest in Bitcoin? The key lies not in the objects themselves, but in the meaning you assign to them. As Xiaoya said, "If I think it’s worth it, then it is worth it."

In this noisy era, the secret of value might just be: it is never objective; it only exists in the human heart.