Tariffs Push Investors Toward Pokémon and Mickey Mantle: Trading Cards Have Evolved Beyond Your Grandfather’s Collection

Since its creation, Wall Street has determined what constitutes a “real” investment.

Stocks? Certainly. Real estate? Absolutely.

But trading cards? Too sentimental. Too niche. Too “hobbyist.”

This outdated viewpoint is changing rapidly. As tariffs increase the cost of imported goods, consumers are increasingly opting for domestic assets. Resale markets, collectibles, and trading cards are experiencing a surge in demand as investors look for alternatives to traditional stocks and bonds.

Collectibles have emerged as a legitimate asset class, creating a global industry worth over $600 billion, with trading cards valued at more than $15 billion as of 2024.

These are no longer merely nostalgic items — they’ve become financial instruments with genuine staying power.

Trading cards share many features with assets recognized by banks as legitimate investments.

Before blockchain introduced the idea of digital scarcity, trading cards were already verifiable, limited edition assets with authentication and devoted collector bases.

In contrast to many speculative digital assets, trading cards have weathered recessions, inflation, market crashes, and now a tariff-driven economy — demonstrating their resilience.

At Alt, we’ve monitored millions of transactions for graded trading cards across major marketplaces, and the data tells a compelling story: The trading card market is not only active — it’s expanding.

In 2024 alone, transactions of graded trading cards increased by 17.8% compared to 2023 and by 68.7% compared to 2021, indicating steady interest in the category over the past four years.

Total transaction value also rose by 10.35% year-over-year from 2023 to 2024, signaling higher buyer confidence and participation.

Especially notable is the growth in the sub-$1,000 category, where both transaction count and value increased by nearly 18% — a clear sign that trading cards remain accessible, investable, and relevant to a broad audience of collectors and investors.

This growth is most visible in Pokémon cards, whose value has surged recently — our data indicates that the overall worth has increased by nearly 20% in recent months, with some individual cards seeing price hikes of up to 150%.

This trend emphasizes the growing acknowledgment of trading cards as viable alternative assets in today’s market.

As avid collectors ourselves, we’ve been engaged in trading cards since childhood.

Initially, it was about gathering enough cash to buy the must-have cards, but over time, it became clear — we weren’t just collecting; we were investing.

Leore began strategically investing in Kobe Bryant cards in 2016, using platforms like eBay to identify undervalued assets. A $15,000 investment transformed into $15 million — not through luck, but via a data-driven strategy.

For investors looking for liquidity, trading cards offer entry points at almost any price level.

While high-value Mickey Mantle and Pokémon Illustrator cards make headlines, investment-grade cards in the $1,000 to $10,000 range are far more accessible than commercial property or fine art.

As traditional goods and imports become pricier and less accessible, collectibles present a unique advantage: They’re already in the market.

Resale markets are thriving as buyers seek high-quality domestic assets that avoid the uncertainties of international supply chains or price volatility.

Trading cards, with their well-established market history, institutional-grade infrastructure, and proven resilience, offer a highly attractive option for those exploring beyond conventional markets.

Next time someone promotes a digital collectible, remember: The original NFTs (non-fungible tokens) have been safely stored and actively traded for decades.

Often, the most groundbreaking investment opportunities stem not from new technology but from longstanding assets re-evaluated with fresh perspectives.

As tariff pressures increase and the resale business flourishes, the market isn’t waiting for banks to catch up — and neither are we.

Leore Avidar is the founder and CEO of Alt, a platform redefining the buying, selling, and storage of alternative assets. Alexis Ohanian is the founder and former executive chair of Reddit, now the founder of Seven Seven Six, and an investor and board member at Alt.