The world of Pokémon has undergone a profound transformation in recent times, with its beloved trading cards now becoming a lucrative stock market for millennials. What was once a simple hobby for kids to enjoy has morphed into a cutthroat industry where rare cards are traded like commodities and collectors are willing to go to great lengths to get their hands on them.
The rise of social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok has played a significant role in fueling this phenomenon, with popular influencers showcasing the thrill of opening packs and raving about the value of certain cards. This has created a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) among young collectors, who feel pressure to act quickly before rare cards sell out.
As a result, resellers are now queuing up outside shops, buying boxes of booster packs before they're even released, and selling them online for astronomical prices. The market has become so volatile that people are using apps to track the value of their card portfolios, with some individuals making thousands of pounds by simply opening packs.
However, this frenzy has also led to some concerning consequences, including the sale of fake cards, the resealing of opened packs, and even attacks on shop staff who refuse to sell certain cards at inflated prices. The Pokémon Company itself has struggled to keep up with demand, printing 10.2 billion cards in the year to March 2025, but still facing shortages.
Despite these challenges, there are signs that the market may be correcting itself, with prices of singles and sealed products starting to come down. Shop owners such as Ben Thyer of BathTCG are cautiously optimistic, hoping that once the bubble bursts, people will remember the importance of fair pricing for their customers.
As the 30th anniversary of Pokémon approaches in early 2026, it remains to be seen whether the market will rebound or continue to spiral out of control. One thing is certain, however: the world of Pokémon has become a complex and often ruthless industry, where rarity and hype can make all the difference between making a profit and losing everything.
The rise of social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok has played a significant role in fueling this phenomenon, with popular influencers showcasing the thrill of opening packs and raving about the value of certain cards. This has created a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) among young collectors, who feel pressure to act quickly before rare cards sell out.
As a result, resellers are now queuing up outside shops, buying boxes of booster packs before they're even released, and selling them online for astronomical prices. The market has become so volatile that people are using apps to track the value of their card portfolios, with some individuals making thousands of pounds by simply opening packs.
However, this frenzy has also led to some concerning consequences, including the sale of fake cards, the resealing of opened packs, and even attacks on shop staff who refuse to sell certain cards at inflated prices. The Pokémon Company itself has struggled to keep up with demand, printing 10.2 billion cards in the year to March 2025, but still facing shortages.
Despite these challenges, there are signs that the market may be correcting itself, with prices of singles and sealed products starting to come down. Shop owners such as Ben Thyer of BathTCG are cautiously optimistic, hoping that once the bubble bursts, people will remember the importance of fair pricing for their customers.
As the 30th anniversary of Pokémon approaches in early 2026, it remains to be seen whether the market will rebound or continue to spiral out of control. One thing is certain, however: the world of Pokémon has become a complex and often ruthless industry, where rarity and hype can make all the difference between making a profit and losing everything.
think about it, these trading cards were once just a fun way to collect stuff, but now it's like they're worth more than actual relationships or experiences 
don't get me wrong, i'm not hating on the community or anything, but the obsession is getting crazy 
and what's the point of all this if we're just going to end up with a bunch of fake cards and people getting hurt because of it? 
like ben said, hopefully once the bubble bursts, people will remember that it's not about the price tag, it's about having fun and enjoying the hobby 
, i mean i get it collectibles can be super valuable but this feels more like a bubble waiting to pop 
, its interesting that shop owners are hoping the hype dies down and prices come back down but at the same time theres so much money being made off of this market that people will keep chasing it 
.
. I hope the market calms down soon and people remember that it's supposed to be fun, not some big money-making scheme 
.
...it just seems like a waste of money to me...and what's with all these fake cards? cant we just have a fair market where people can buy and sell without all the hype and pressure?