Why Pokémon Cards Could Become the Currency of the Apocalypse

Pokémon Cards as Currency, According to This VC

An American venture capitalist boldly claims that Pokémon cards would become the global currency in the event of a collapse of the world economy. This provocative statement highlights a market estimated at $50 billion per year, whose returns have far outpaced those of the S&P 500 over the past two decades.

Peter Levin, founder and CEO of Griffin Gaming Partners, a fund specializing in gaming and sports, is convinced of the importance these cards would hold if an apocalypse were to occur.

I am absolutely convinced that if the world were to face an apocalypse tomorrow, the world currency of the next day would be Pokémon cards. Peter Levin, founder and CEO of Griffin Gaming Partners.

He is not just a casual observer. His personal collection exceeds half a million cards. According to him, the strength of the market lies in its universal accessibility. Anyone can walk into a big store or a specialty shop and try their luck with a booster, with the same chances of landing a rare card as a seasoned collector.

Returns That Crush the S&P 500

His reasoning is based on staggering figures. Since 2004, Pokémon cards have shown a return of about 3,821%, according to Card Ladder data cited by the Wall Street Journal. Over the same period, the S&P 500 has only progressed by 483%, while Meta has gained 1,844% since its IPO in 2012.

The global market for collectible cards is now valued at $50 billion per year. Entertainment giants like Disney, Hasbro, and Ravensburger are multiplying agreements to turn their licenses into trading cards. In Japan alone, the home of Pokémon, the domestic market has surged by 90% in four years to reach 338 billion yen (approximately $2.1 billion) by 2025.

Sales Records and Criminal Deviations

The absolute symbol of this madness remains Logan Paul. The influencer resold a Pikachu Illustrator card last February for about $16 million, five years after acquiring it for $5 million. A world record that has further fueled speculative enthusiasm.

This price surge attracts covetousness. In the United States, an armed robbery allowed criminals to steal $50,000 worth of Pokémon cards in New Jersey in June.

In the United Kingdom, several merchants have seen their Royal Mail parcels systematically opened during transit, forcing some to suspend their online sales and lose up to £6,000 in revenue.

A Market Under Surveillance and Far from Risk-Free

Japan is even considering regulating this market. A group from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party warns about the risks of counterfeiting and money laundering related to cards worth several million dollars. "Collectible cards are no longer just consumer products," emphasizes the parliamentary group.

Behind the spectacular returns, the risks are real, with volatility comparable to that of cryptocurrencies. A first edition PSA 10 Charizard that reached €340,000 in early 2022 was trading below €140,000 by mid-2023, representing a drop of over 55%. Hype modern cards often lose 40 to 60% of their value within six months.