Architecture

System Overview

The Pokémon Card Trading Terminal is designed as a modular, scalable system that integrates real-world Pokémon card market data with Solana blockchain-based trading. The architecture ensures real-time updates, accurate pricing, and secure transactions through a combination of off-chain and on-chain components.

High-Level Flow:

[CardMarket / TCGplayer API] 
         ↓
  [Aggregator Backend] → [Database: Postgres / Clickhouse]
         ↓
  [Order Book Engine: bid/ask matching]
         ↓
 [Frontend Terminal: Next.js / React / Charts / Filters]
         ↓
 [Solana Wallet Integration: Phantom / Solflare]

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Components Description

1. Aggregator Backend

• Collects and consolidates Pokémon card prices from CardMarket and TCGplayer.

• Converts fiat prices (USD/EUR) into SOL using a live exchange rate API (e.g., CoinGecko).

• Updates the database with historical prices and card metadata for charting and analytics.

• Ensures data consistency and reliability for trading operations.

2. Database

• Stores all card metadata, price history, and order book data.

• Typical tables include:

  • cards: card_id, name, set, rarity, condition, image_url, price_usd, price_sol, etc.

  • order_book: card_id, bids[], asks[]

  • transactions: user_id, card_id, price_sol, timestamp

• Can use PostgreSQL for structured queries or Clickhouse for high-speed analytics.

3. Order Book Engine

• Manages the bid/ask system for each card.

• Matches buy and sell orders automatically based on price and time priority.

• Maintains live order book snapshots for frontend visualization.

• Optional: integrates escrow functionality for physical card delivery.

4. Frontend Terminal

• Dexscreener-style interface built with Next.js / React.

• Displays real-time prices, bid/ask tables, charts, and filters.

• Allows users to search and sort cards by name, rarity, set, condition, or price.

• Supports websockets or real-time polling for live updates.

5. Wallet Integration

• Connects user wallets such as Phantom or Solflare.

• Handles SOL payments for buying and selling cards.

• Can integrate smart contract escrow or NFT-based proof-of-purchase.

• Ensures secure, transparent, and on-chain transaction records.