CoinDesk Podcast Network The Future of Toys is Digital
Oct 13, 2025
Will Weinraub, CEO of OnChain Studios and creator of Cryptoys, discusses the exciting intersection of toys and blockchain. Inspired by his daughter's love for toys, he explains how traditional toys are declining while digital platforms like Fortnite rise. Will argues that digital ownership is the future, especially for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who value social play. He shares insights on balancing mass-market appeal with collectible scarcity and the emotional connections digital toys can create, while hinting at how legacy brands are shifting their views on blockchain.
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Origin Story: Daughter-Inspired Web3 Toys
- Will started Cryptoys after his daughter collected expensive blind-box toys and wanted to play with them on her iPad.
- He merged that idea with his early NFT interest from CryptoKitties to build a father-daughter side project that became OnChain Studios.
Digital Scarcity Over Financialization
- Will says digital scarcity is the core breakthrough NFTs enable beyond quick financial gains.
- He argues the space suffered when financialization became the dominant narrative instead of utility and storytelling.
Mass Market Plus Provable Rarity
- Will compares digital collectibles to trading cards and blind-box toys where commons fuel mass sales and rares create the chase.
- Blockchain adds provable scarcity and provenance, preventing brands from secretly inflating supply.