Why Pokémon Cards Are Gaining Institutional Interest
Pokémon cards are no longer just for kids trading at recess. Big investors and companies are starting to see them as serious assets, much like rare art or vintage sports cards. This shift comes from huge market growth, strong returns, and major business moves that signal long-term value.[2]
The global trading card market hit about 7.5 billion dollars in 2025, with steady growth projected at 7 to 8 percent each year. Pokémon plays a big role in that, alongside sports cards and other collectibles. Sales jumped around 200 percent from 2024 to 2025 at places like eBay and Walmart, showing real demand and easy buying and selling.[2]
What draws institutions is the proven track record. Data from Card Ladder shows Pokémon cards returned about 3,821 percent since 2004, beating the stock market’s S&P 500 by a wide margin. Top cards from sets like 1st Edition Base Set or trophy cards act like cultural treasures with low supply and high recognition. They hold value over decades, not just hype from new releases.[2]
Institutions love assets with scarcity and liquidity, and Pokémon delivers. Unlike risky new cards, established ones have survival rates and history that keep prices climbing. This maturity happened fast, in about 25 years, turning Pokémon into a blue-chip collectible.[2]
A fresh sign of big money flowing in is the manufacturing boom. On December 16, 2025, developers Trinity Capital Advisors and Starwood Capital Group announced the largest US manufacturing lease of the year. Sources confirmed the tenant is Millennium Print Group, Pokémon’s main card printer since 2015 and owned by The Pokémon Company since 2022.[1]
This expansion tackles ongoing card shortages. Pokémon has said they are printing at max capacity but cannot meet demand. The new deal adds massive space in Morrisville, North Carolina, with full operations not until late 2028. It will boost supply, cut resale prices, and chase away scalpers, helping real collectors.[1]
More supply might seem bad for prices, but smart investors see the opposite. Reliable production builds trust in the market. It creates a stable cycle where cards stay valuable without wild shortages driving fakes or flips. Institutions step in when they spot systems like this, betting on growth without chaos.[1][2]
The Pokémon Company’s financial health backs this up too. Despite some credit rating dips, their default risk stabilized by late 2025 at low levels. Hits like the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket app and new stores show they keep innovating across games, cards, and merch.[3]
For collectors eyeing prices on PokemonPricing.com, this institutional buzz means watching icons like Base Set Charizards or key modern chase cards. As big players enter, values could firm up even more, rewarding those who hold quality over quantity.
