Monokabu

Monokabu began as a prominent Japanese customer-to-customer marketplace for sneakers and streetwear, founded by Kohei Hamada. The platform's core feature was a mandatory authentication process for all items to combat counterfeits, building a transparent market for buyers and sellers. In July 2021, Monokabu was acquired by its larger rival, SODA, Inc., the parent company of SNKRDUNK. This acquisition consolidated SODA's position, capturing an estimated 80% of Japan's sneaker resale market and making SNKRDUNK the definitive market leader. Following the merger, Monokabu's co-founder, Kohei Hamada, joined SODA to spearhead the global expansion of the SNKRDUNK brand, establishing a global headquarters in Singapore.

Now operating under the SNKRDUNK brand, the business functions as a global C2C marketplace for sneakers, apparel, and, more recently, trading cards. The business model is centered on ensuring authenticity. When a transaction occurs, the seller ships the item to a SNKRDUNK authentication center. A team of expert authenticators meticulously inspects the product; only after passing this verification is the item sent to the buyer, and payment is released to the seller. This process is supported by a vast internal database of genuine and counterfeit products and includes technologies like black light and X-ray inspection to guarantee legitimacy. Revenue is generated from fees on these transactions. The platform serves a global audience of collectors and enthusiasts, with over 6 million users as of early 2025.

The company has expanded its physical presence with flagship retail stores in locations like Harajuku, Osaka, and Singapore, bridging the gap between digital and physical retail. SNKRDUNK has also developed a media arm, the SNKRDUNK Magazine, which provides content on street culture, fashion, and new releases, creating an ecosystem that moves users from content to commerce. The platform is backed by significant investors, including SoftBank Ventures Asia, Altos Ventures, and JAFCO.

Keywords: sneaker resale, streetwear marketplace, authentication service, Japanese e-commerce, trading card marketplace, C2C platform, collectible goods, apparel resale, SNKRDUNK, Monokabu, Kohei Hamada, SODA Inc, online marketplace, verified authentic, sneaker authentication, streetwear fashion, rare sneakers, limited edition, sneaker collecting, resale market