Tariffs are driving investors to Pokémon and Mickey Mantle — these aren’t your grandfather’s trading cards

New York Post - Apr 28th, 2025

The perception of trading cards is rapidly evolving from mere nostalgic collectibles to legitimate financial instruments, as tariffs increase the cost of imported goods and push investors toward domestic assets. Collectibles have emerged as a viable asset class, with trading cards alone valued at over $15 billion by 2024. Data from Alt reveals that graded trading card transactions grew by 17.8% in 2024 compared to 2023, and the total transaction value increased by 10.35% year-over-year, indicating growing confidence among investors. The most notable growth is seen in the sub-$1,000 category, where transaction count and value grew by nearly 18%, making trading cards accessible and appealing to a wide range of collectors and investors.

The trend is particularly evident in the Pokémon card market, which saw a 20% overall value increase recently, with some cards surging by up to 150%. This growth highlights the resilience and investment potential of trading cards, which have withstood economic challenges like recessions and inflation. As traditional imports become more costly and less accessible, trading cards present a tangible domestic investment opportunity with a well-established market and infrastructure. Leore Avidar and Alexis Ohanian emphasize that while digital collectibles gain popularity, trading cards have been the original non-fungible tokens, offering a revolutionary investment viewed with renewed interest in today's market.

Tariffs Alexis Ohanian Trading Cards Alternative Investments Leore Avidar Pokémon Cards Resale Markets Alt Platform

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively highlights the growing trend of trading cards as viable investments, supported by recent data and market insights. Its strengths lie in its clear, engaging narrative and timely discussion of economic factors influencing investment behavior. However, the article's reliance on data from a single platform with vested interests introduces potential bias, and the lack of diverse perspectives limits its balance. While the article offers valuable insights into an emerging asset class, it would benefit from more comprehensive source verification and inclusion of potential risks. Overall, it provides an informative overview of the trading card market but requires further substantiation for complete accuracy and credibility.

Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims that appear to be well-researched, though some require further verification. For instance, the claim that the collectibles industry is valued at over $600 billion and trading cards at $15 billion as of 2024 is significant and would benefit from corroboration with market reports or financial analyses. The article accurately identifies a trend in shifting perceptions of trading cards as investments, supported by data on transaction growth and market value increases. However, specific figures, such as the 17.8% growth in graded trading card transactions and the 150% price surge of some Pokémon cards, should be cross-referenced with independent data sources to ensure precision. The narrative around tariffs influencing investment behavior is plausible, yet it would require economic analyses to substantiate fully. Overall, the article's claims are mostly accurate but require external verification for complete confidence.

Balance

The article primarily presents a positive view of trading cards as viable investment opportunities, with little exploration of potential downsides or contrasting perspectives. The focus on the growth and resilience of the trading card market suggests a bias towards promoting this asset class without acknowledging potential risks, such as market volatility or speculative bubbles. Additionally, the piece lacks input from financial experts who might provide a more cautious or skeptical view of trading cards as investments. While the article effectively highlights the benefits and current trends, it would benefit from a more balanced presentation that includes potential challenges or criticisms of investing in collectibles.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and written in a clear, engaging manner that effectively communicates the main points. The narrative is logically organized, with a strong introduction that sets the stage for the discussion on trading cards as investments. The language is accessible, avoiding overly technical jargon, which makes the content understandable to a general audience. The use of specific examples, such as the success story of investing in Kobe Bryant cards, adds clarity and interest. However, the article could benefit from clearer definitions of key terms, such as 'graded trading cards,' to ensure all readers fully grasp the concepts discussed.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on data and insights from Alt, a platform with vested interests in the trading card market, which may introduce bias. The lack of diverse sources or third-party verification reduces the overall credibility of the claims. The inclusion of perspectives from industry insiders like Leore Avidar and Alexis Ohanian adds authority, but their affiliations with Alt suggest potential conflicts of interest. To enhance source quality, the article could incorporate data from independent financial analysts or market research firms to provide a more balanced and objective view.

Transparency

The article is transparent about its authors' affiliations and interests, clearly stating Leore Avidar's role as CEO of Alt and Alexis Ohanian's involvement as an investor and board member. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodologies behind the data presented, such as how transaction growth rates were calculated or the criteria for determining market value increases. Greater transparency in these areas would help readers assess the reliability of the information provided. Additionally, while the article acknowledges the authors' biases, it could further disclose any potential conflicts of interest that might influence the narrative.