MemeStrategy acquires trading card brand Grade10

MemeStrategy, a publicly listed digital asset company in Asia, has entered the rapidly growing trading card market with its acquisition of the Asian brand Grade10.

In recent years, the cultural collectibles investment sector has grown exponentially, with trading cards becoming a particularly dynamic segment. According to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the global trading card market was valued at US$15.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$23.5 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%.

Recognising the commercial potential of cultural collectibles, MemeStrategy has acquired Grade10, a brand established in 2023 dedicated to promoting trading card culture through community-driven exhibitions and events. It serves as a platform connecting Hong Kong’s trading card industry with its collector community. By integrating culture, technology, and alternative investments, MemeStrategy aims to broaden the market for cultural IP and unlock new opportunities for value creation.

MemeStrategy will leverage Grade10’s brand equity to establish a strong presence in the trading card space, with plans to host trading card shows across key Asian markets and provide the vault — a professional trading card storage service, fostering a community of high-end collectors. In parallel, the company will develop an AI-powered card information platform, dedicated to providing high-quality tools for the trading card community.

Ray Chan, chairman and CEO of MemeStrategy and co-founder of 9GAG, will also assume the role of CEO at Grade10. He aims to leverage 9GAG's global user base of over 200 million, along with its digital reach and cultural relevance, to create strong synergies with Grade10’s business, which is dedicated to the community of trading card collectors and enthusiasts.

On 22 to 23 November, Grade10 will host its fourth “Grade10 Festival” at Hopewell Hotel in Wan Chai. Supported by MemeStrategy and 9GAG, this year's event will feature over 120 card exhibitors and debut new features, including a VIP networking lounge and a dedicated gaming zone.

Furthermore, in partnership with Meta’s Threads platform, the event will unveil the "Threads wall", streaming real-time interactions on Threads and featuring collectors’ conversations, festival buzz, and all things related to the trading card community. Grade10 expects to attract over 20,000 trading card enthusiasts.

MemeStrategy will leverage technology through Grade10 to enhance efficiency in the trading card market. Grade10 has planed to launch “Grade10 AI,” an AI-powered platform for real-time pricing and detailed information. It will connect collectors by taking shows global and forming the Asian Collectors Association. Additionally, it aims to establish a centralised storage facility in Hong Kong, reinforcing the city as Asia’s hub for collectible assets.

Ray Chan said: “Trading cards capture emotional and cultural narratives across generations, offering both collectible appeal and investment potential. Their enduring popularity among collectors and investors of all ages continues to drive the expansion of the trading card market.”

“Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, provides an ideal environment for the growth of alternative investment assets. Its free trade policies, simple tax regime, and robust financial infrastructure — combined with a high degree of cultural openness — create favorable conditions for development in this space,” he added. 

Don’t miss: MemeStrategy makes first SOL investment with HK$2.9m

Back in June, MemeStrategy acquired 2,440 units of Solana (SOL) for HK$2.9 million, strengthening its presence in the digital asset space. While the cryptocurrency market is dominated by Bitcoin, this acquisition establishes MemeStrategy as the first Hong Kong-listed company to invest in the Solana ecosystem.

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