Ponke launches adult collection with 223 and NFC chip

Solana's meme coin Ponke and 223, a division of licensed accessories company JCorp, have partnered to develop a collection of adult apparel and collectibles.

No official products have been confirmed yet, but the Ponke team told Decrypt that they are exploring the possibility of launching collectibles, luxury toys and niche items aimed at alternative cultures such as the cannabis industry.

Ponke will exhibit a dozen prototypes this week at the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas as part of the collaboration, along with global JCorp intellectual properties such as Disney, Star Wars and Marvel. The Ponke team said it is already in talks with several high-profile brands for future collaborative products, and sees the Licensing Expo as an important opportunity to expand its network.

The NFC tags, small wireless chips that communicate with smartphones, will be integrated into the new products developed under the 223 agreement, allowing Ponke to offer extra functionality in its items.

The team is considering the integration of NFT-authentication, token rewards or digital keys to access loot boxes on the partner platform Looty.fi, which could offer tokens, souvenirs and other incentives to users who scan an NFC chip.

"We see Ponke as a vehicle to adapt to the broader crypto ecosystem," a team spokesperson told Decrypt. "We won't necessarily promote cryptocurrencies in our content or products, but we want to invite people into the digital property club through token rewards and exclusive experiences."

On its official website, Ponke already sells a selection of clothing and some accessories such as packs of cards and stickers. However, the offer is rather limited and prices are high: for example, a t-shirt costs $110.

Ponke will expand its offer thanks to a collaboration with 223, which also intends to redesign the website, optimise the product line and improve distribution, as well as bring Ponke products to physical shops, although no outlets have yet been confirmed.

"This partnership is a game changer for Ponke: it transforms our brand from an online viral phenomenon to a scalable consumer enterprise," said a representative. "With 223's licensing infrastructure, retail relationships and global reach, we now have the tools to generate real and sustainable revenue from physical products, digital collectibles and new markets."

According to the Ponke team, the funds raised will be used to expand the brand, community and experiences that make Ponke unique. Although a spokesperson admitted that this could happen in the future, there are currently no exclusive benefits or discounts for Ponke token holders.

As a division of JCorp, 223 supplies apparel, accessories and products to some of the world's biggest brands, such as Sega, Atari and Coca-Cola. Founder Cole Gurman explained that the division leverages part of JCorp's infrastructure for development, production and distribution. As a result, Ponke will be presented at the Licensing Expo along with other JCorp IP.

Other examples include PMI Kid's World and Pudgy Penguins, which launched high-end collectibles via an NFT project on Ethereum: in less than a year, over $10 million worth of Pudgy toys were sold in shops such as Walmart in 2023.

But while the Pudgy Penguins were intended for a child audience, a Ponke spokesperson stressed that this new initiative is aimed at an adult audience.

Instead of plush toys, Ponke aims to create "high-end" collectibles similar to Kaws action figures and explore items related to crypto-cultures, including cannabis.

"The collaboration simplifies the transition from idea to product, allowing us to develop and distribute in a matter of weeks," said a Ponke spokesperson, adding that "we will launch physical and digital sales in the coming months to expand the Ponke brand and its ecosystem."