Pokémon cards could be the next currency in a post-apocalyptic world, collector predicts
Soaring demand has already created scarcity and supply issues for Pokémon cards.
Pokémon trading cards could become a global form of currency if an apocalypse causes the world's existing economic system to collapse, according to venture capitalist and collector Pete Levin.
Levin, founder of Griffin Gaming Partners, said the franchise's global popularity and the rising value of its cards could make them a viable alternative currency in a post-apocalyptic world.
Levin, who manages more than $1.6 billion in gaming assets, also owns around 500,000 trading cards.
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According to IGN, Levin told The Hollywood Reporter that Pokémon's status as a global phenomenon could help its cards become widely accepted as currency following a global catastrophe.
He also claimed Pokémon cards have significantly outperformed the S&P 500, citing their appreciation since the franchise expanded internationally in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Levin pointed to professional grading companies such as PSA as another factor supporting the cards' value. Their authentication and grading systems provide standardised assessments of condition and authenticity, helping establish market prices.
He also highlighted the growing "kidult" market, noting that adults now account for a significant share of global toy sales.
According to Levin, adults who grew up with trading cards, video games and comics now have disposable income to spend on nostalgic collectibles.
However, soaring demand has already created scarcity and supply issues for Pokémon cards.
Some retailers and distributors have introduced measures to deter scalpers, while certain releases in Japan have reportedly been restricted to local residents.
Rare Pokémon cards have also become targets for scalpers and thieves, with new releases often selling out quickly.
Despite the supply challenges, The Pokémon Company reportedly printed around 10 billion cards last year.
For now, Levin's apocalypse prediction remains speculative. But the growing Pokémon collectibles market has made the cards valuable assets even within the existing economy.
