Are Pokémon Cards Holding Up Better Than Commodities in Recessions?
Pokémon cards have shown surprising strength during tough economic times, often outperforming traditional commodities like gold or oil when recessions hit. Collectors and investors treat rare cards as alternative assets, much like sports cards or crypto, with values tracked in real-time through apps similar to stock tickers.[1]
Commodities typically struggle in recessions. Gold, for example, acts as a safe haven but its price swings with inflation and market fears. In recent years, as inflation hovered above 2% and the Fed adjusted rates, gold prices moved up and down based on global tensions like U.S.-China trade issues over rare earth minerals.[1][3] Oil and metals drop when demand falls from slower growth, supply chain problems, and less industrial activity. During the pandemic slowdown, even gaming hardware faced shortages from semiconductor issues, hinting at broader commodity pressures.[2]
Pokémon cards tell a different story. Rare ones have sold for up to $2 million, drawing investors who see them as fun yet valuable holds.[1] Unlike commodities tied to factories and global trade, card values come from collector passion. The gaming world boomed during COVID, with player numbers jumping from 2.5 billion in 2019 to over 3 billion by 2024, and revenues topping $450 billion.[2] This surge lifted related collectibles like Pokémon cards, as people stayed home and spent on hobbies.
In past downturns, hobbies like card collecting held steady or grew. People cut back on big purchases like cars or houses, which hurt commodity demand, but they still chased affordable thrills. Pokémon cards fit that bill, with prices for top cards rising even as stock markets worried over high P/E ratios echoing pre-crash levels.[1] Investors like those on podcasts note how these cards offer yields through trading, much like staking crypto, without the industrial risks commodities face.[1]
Compare the two directly. Gold’s 2025 price reflected steady but volatile gains amid 2.5% inflation expectations and Fed rate talks.[3] Pokémon cards, meanwhile, benefited from the gaming sector’s path to $600 billion by 2028, driven by mobile and in-game spending.[2] Recessions slow commodity production, but card values rely on community demand that persists through uncertainty.
For collectors, this means Pokémon cards could serve as a recession hedge. Track them with apps for quick value checks, just as you would stocks.[1] While no asset is risk-free, their track record suggests they weather storms better than many commodities when people prioritize joy over heavy industry.
