Ponke, the Solana-based meme coin brand, teamed with streetwear label RIPNDIP to release a limited blind-box vinyl art toy series that embeds blockchain functionality in a physical product. The presale began on january 23 and the project aims to introduce mainstream collectors to on-chain proof of ownership without requiring immediate crypto expertise.
The collectible line merges Ponke’s irreverent monkey iconography with RIPNDIP’s mascot to produce a retail-quality vinyl series titled around a countercultural motif. Each figure contains an embedded NFC chip that, when activated, unlocks a digital ownership layer on Base, an Ethereum layer‑2 network. That digital layer functions as verifiable proof of ownership and a potential portal for future engagement tied to the physical toy.
Rarity mechanics are built into the blind-box model: the headline variant, the “Lemon Love Bomb,” appears at roughly one in every 12 boxes. A highly exclusive Japan-only set styled as a 1987 limited edition — ten seven-inch gold-coloured figures in a numbered box — serves as the top-tier collectible for dedicated buyers.
An online presale opened on january 23 and ran for a 72-hour window exclusively via RIPNDIP’s website. Following the presale, the wider retail release will reach RIPNDIP stores and select retailers in abr. de 2026. The phased distribution is positioned to capture early demand while preserving scarcity for later retail buyers.
Strategy, market implications and friction points
Ponke and RIPNDIP framed the drop as a “retail-first” access point to Web3, keeping the blockchain element deliberately in the background to lower onboarding friction. “Blockchain operates quietly in the background, extending engagement and ownership beyond the initial sale,” the Ponke team said. This approach targets two audiences simultaneously: crypto-native collectors who value verifiability, and mainstream streetwear consumers accustomed to physical retail experiences.
For the market, the release tests a core hypothesis: that physical collectibles can serve as a non-technical entry into blockchain utility. If successful, the model could broaden adoption by removing wallet setup and direct crypto transactions from the initial purchase decision. Conversely, keeping the on-chain layer secondary may limit immediate on-chain trading activity and reduce early telemetry that many Web3 projects rely on to build secondary markets.
Investors and collectors will watch the april 26 retail launch as the practical test of the project’s thesis: whether a retail-first, Web2‑facing product can convert mainstream buyers into active participants in Web3 ecosystems. The outcome will inform how brands blend physical scarcity with on‑chain provenance in future drops.
