{"id":2138088,"date":"2026-09-10T16:59:44","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T13:59:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2138088"},"modified":"2026-09-10T16:59:44","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T13:59:44","slug":"if-the-world-suffered-an-apocalypse-tomorrow-the-global-currency-would-be-pokemon-cards-collector-and-venture-capitalist-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2138088","title":{"rendered":"If The World Suffered an Apocalypse Tomorrow The Global Currency Would Be Pok\u00e9mon Cards, Collector and Venture Capitalist Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-cy=\"article-content\" class=\"jsx-2154984108 article-content page-0\">\n<section data-cy=\"article-subtitle\" class=\"article jsx-3932497636 article-section jsx-2044616299 news\" data-autopogo=\"true\">\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Pok\u00e9mon cards will likely be used as currency following a global apocalypse, one venture capitalist has suggested.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Pete Levin, founder of VC firm Griffin Gaming Partners, said that the &#8220;global phenomenon&#8221; of <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/pokemon-trading-card-game-tabletop\">Pok\u00e9mon<\/a><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/pokemon-trading-card-game-tabletop\"> <\/a><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/pokemon-trading-card-game-tabletop\">trading cards<\/a> was perfect for use as a new form of currency, should the world&#8217;s current economy collapse due to some terrible catastrophe.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Levin claims to manage more than $1.6 billion of gaming assets and, handily, also happens to be the owner of some 500,000 trading cards. Speaking to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/business\/business-news\/trading-cards-growth-pokemon-apocalypse-peter-levin-chat-1236689864\/\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Hollywood Reporter<\/a>, he explained that Pok\u00e9mon cards remained a hugely profitable asset for collectors \u2014 and suggested that their worth would also be kept, at least to some degree, even after the nukes fall.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" style=\"display:none\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">Pok\u00e9mon TCG: 30th Anniversary Celebration Collection First Look<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3027214138 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/RightChevron.272be43c.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 5 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Pok\u00e9mon is a global phenomenon,&#8221; Levin said. &#8220;I&#8217;m absolutely convinced that if the world suffered an apocalypse tomorrow, the following day the global currency would be Pok\u00e9mon cards. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Pok\u00e9mon cards are beating the S&amp;P 500 by 3,000%,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;Emanating from Japan, it really took hold around the world in the late &#8217;90s and early 2000s. It then had a zenith moment and then a nadir moment, and ever since then, it&#8217;s been on a parabolic growth curve. And that really has driven the international market expansion for trading cards.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Despite being poised to personally profit if we all started to use Charizards instead of loose change, Levin also pointed to a few other reasons he was confident in his prophecy.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">For one, card grading companies such as PSA now standardize card quality ratings and provide proof of authenticity. With these, cards have a clearly quantifiable value \u2014 even if the price attached to that is left for the market to decide. Then there&#8217;s the so-called &#8220;kidult&#8221; phenomenon, where adults now make up around 30% of global toy sales \u2014 a figure that&#8217;s on the rise.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;You&#8217;ve got a generation that has come of age that is nostalgic for these toys, for these vintage video games, for these trading cards and comic books, and they now have disposable income,&#8221; Levin concluded. &#8220;So that&#8217;s also been a huge tangible driver in the market.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">So, never mind the claim that <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/anthropic-safety-researcher-says-theres-a-more-than-10-chance-ai-could-kill-all-humans-within-the-next-decade\">there&#8217;s a greater than 10% chance AI will end civilization in the next 10 years<\/a>. If you&#8217;ve got a couple of Pikachu Illustrators in your back pocket, you may still be able to buy a few tins of beans.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2896921488 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Play.59e5540b.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Word that we should all begin hoarding Pok\u00e9mon cards for use after the apocalypse will likely not help ongoing issues with Pok\u00e9mon card scarcity, which has prompted <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/target-is-slicing-open-pokmon-card-boxes-before-theyre-sold-in-a-bid-to-deter-scalpers-fans-say\">U.S. retailer Target to begin slicing open boxes to deter scalpers<\/a>. In Japan, <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/scalping-has-gotten-so-bad-that-the-pokemon-company-is-limiting-certain-tcg-packs-to-japanese-citizens-only\">some releases are being limited to Japanese residents only<\/a>, while <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/the-pokemon-company-announces-facial-recognition-system-to-help-kill-scalping-at-japanese-card-stores-mandatory-from-elementary-school-age\">facial recognition for adults and children has been rolled out in some locations to limit daily card purchases<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Pok\u00e9mon cards have become a prime target for scalpers and thieves over the past few years due to their soaring popularity and the perceived value of rare cards. New card releases frequently sell out completely, and The Pok\u00e9mon Company has appeared unable or unwilling to fully keep up with demand \u2014 <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/10-billion-pokemon-cards-were-printed-last-year-and-it-still-wasnt-enough-to-stop-shortages-and-scalping\">despite a staggering 10 billion cards printed last year alone<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Looking to start your collection? We&#8217;ve also got a list of <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/most-expensive-pokemon-cards-2026\">the 10 most expensive Pok\u00e9mon cards of 2026 so far<\/a>, and a <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/pokemon-tcg-delta-reign-etb-first-look\">first look at Mega Evolution&#8217;s Delta Reign expansion<\/a>, set to release in November this year.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Image credit: Martin Lelievre\/AFP via Getty Images.<\/em><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<section class=\"author-sign-off\" data-cy=\"author-sign-off\"><span class=\"stack jsx-59817748 jsx-1927875859\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-444076027 jsx-4218469134 profile-thumb jsx-2141281959 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-1-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tom Phillips Avatar\" class=\"progressive-image profile-thumb-img jsx-249361588 jsx-2338608387 expand\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/avatars\/682ae571844d33001df37887\/bafkreidcdvzaebn4npc6hj3ffj6fzlg3kqnfpgazyarf24lfrnboi6lzbe-1747728739638.jpg?crop=1%3A1&amp;width=56&amp;format=jpg&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=80\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2509706801 jsx-3630940851\"><span class=\"stack jsx-2959124702 jsx-702910195 author-sign-off-header\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/person\/tomphillipsIGN\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"interface jsx-1132626198 jsx-2809511915 bold underlined\">Tom Phillips<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 muted\">News Editor<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2509706801 jsx-1220387432\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"interface jsx-1132626198 sign-off-text\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Tom Phillips is IGN&#8217;s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer\">@tomphillipseg.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"jsx-2511205168 preferred-source\"><strong class=\"jsx-2511205168\">Get IGN&#8217;s Biggest Stories FIRST. Set Us as Your Source.<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.ign.com\" class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--secondary jsx-3027214138 icon-button contained centered large\" title=\"Add Source\" aria-label=\"Add Source\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ign-icon icon-google jsx-2750866048 jsx-3701596282\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-google\" alt=\"Google\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Google.9e99a9d7.svg?cors=0\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 large\">Add Source<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-1475529924\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 bobble bobble-1 pogocnt pg-article\">\n<div data-mix-name=\"secondaryMedrec\" data-pos=\"1\" data-pogo-hide=\"1\" class=\"jsx-343126785 pogo-slot\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Pok\u00e9mon cards will likely be used as currency following a global apocalypse, one venture capitalist has suggested.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Pete Levin, founder of VC firm Griffin Gaming Partners, said that the &#8220;global phenomenon&#8221; of <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/pokemon-trading-card-game-tabletop\">Pok\u00e9mon<\/a><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/pokemon-trading-card-game-tabletop\"> <\/a><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/pokemon-trading-card-game-tabletop\">trading cards<\/a> was perfect for use as a new form of currency, should the world&#8217;s current economy collapse due to some terrible catastrophe.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Levin claims to manage more than $1.6 billion of gaming assets and, handily, also happens to be the owner of some 500,000 trading cards. Speaking to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/business\/business-news\/trading-cards-growth-pokemon-apocalypse-peter-levin-chat-1236689864\/\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Hollywood Reporter<\/a>, he explained that Pok\u00e9mon cards remained a hugely profitable asset for collectors \u2014 and suggested that their worth would also be kept, at least to some degree, even after the nukes fall.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" style=\"display:none\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">Pok\u00e9mon TCG: 30th Anniversary Celebration Collection First Look<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3027214138 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/RightChevron.272be43c.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 5 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Pok\u00e9mon is a global phenomenon,&#8221; Levin said. &#8220;I&#8217;m absolutely convinced that if the world suffered an apocalypse tomorrow, the following day the global currency would be Pok\u00e9mon cards. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Pok\u00e9mon cards are beating the S&amp;P 500 by 3,000%,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;Emanating from Japan, it really took hold around the world in the late &#8217;90s and early 2000s. It then had a zenith moment and then a nadir moment, and ever since then, it&#8217;s been on a parabolic growth curve. And that really has driven the international market expansion for trading cards.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Despite being poised to personally profit if we all started to use Charizards instead of loose change, Levin also pointed to a few other reasons he was confident in his prophecy.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">For one, card grading companies such as PSA now standardize card quality ratings and provide proof of authenticity. With these, cards have a clearly quantifiable value \u2014 even if the price attached to that is left for the market to decide. Then there&#8217;s the so-called &#8220;kidult&#8221; phenomenon, where adults now make up around 30% of global toy sales \u2014 a figure that&#8217;s on the rise.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;You&#8217;ve got a generation that has come of age that is nostalgic for these toys, for these vintage video games, for these trading cards and comic books, and they now have disposable income,&#8221; Levin concluded. &#8220;So that&#8217;s also been a huge tangible driver in the market.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">So, never mind the claim that <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/anthropic-safety-researcher-says-theres-a-more-than-10-chance-ai-could-kill-all-humans-within-the-next-decade\">there&#8217;s a greater than 10% chance AI will end civilization in the next 10 years<\/a>. If you&#8217;ve got a couple of Pikachu Illustrators in your back pocket, you may still be able to buy a few tins of beans.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2896921488 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"mask:url(https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/Play.59e5540b.svg?cors=1) no-repeat center center \/ contain;background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Word that we should all begin hoarding Pok\u00e9mon cards for use after the apocalypse will likely not help ongoing issues with Pok\u00e9mon card scarcity, which has prompted <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/target-is-slicing-open-pokmon-card-boxes-before-theyre-sold-in-a-bid-to-deter-scalpers-fans-say\">U.S. retailer Target to begin slicing open boxes to deter scalpers<\/a>. In Japan, <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/scalping-has-gotten-so-bad-that-the-pokemon-company-is-limiting-certain-tcg-packs-to-japanese-citizens-only\">some releases are being limited to Japanese residents only<\/a>, while <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/the-pokemon-company-announces-facial-recognition-system-to-help-kill-scalping-at-japanese-card-stores-mandatory-from-elementary-school-age\">facial recognition for adults and children has been rolled out in some locations to limit daily card purchases<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Pok\u00e9mon cards have become a prime target for scalpers and thieves over the past few years due to their soaring popularity and the perceived value of rare cards. New card releases frequently sell out completely, and The Pok\u00e9mon Company has appeared unable or unwilling to fully keep up with demand \u2014 <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/10-billion-pokemon-cards-were-printed-last-year-and-it-still-wasnt-enough-to-stop-shortages-and-scalping\">despite a staggering 10 billion cards printed last year alone<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Looking to start your collection? We&#8217;ve also got a list of <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/most-expensive-pokemon-cards-2026\">the 10 most expensive Pok\u00e9mon cards of 2026 so far<\/a>, and a <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/pokemon-tcg-delta-reign-etb-first-look\">first look at Mega Evolution&#8217;s Delta Reign expansion<\/a>, set to release in November this year.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Image credit: Martin Lelievre\/AFP via Getty Images.<\/em><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<section class=\"author-sign-off\" data-cy=\"author-sign-off\"><span class=\"stack jsx-59817748 jsx-1927875859\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-444076027 jsx-4218469134 profile-thumb jsx-2141281959 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-1-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tom Phillips Avatar\" class=\"progressive-image profile-thumb-img jsx-249361588 jsx-2338608387 expand\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/avatars\/682ae571844d33001df37887\/bafkreidcdvzaebn4npc6hj3ffj6fzlg3kqnfpgazyarf24lfrnboi6lzbe-1747728739638.jpg?crop=1%3A1&amp;width=56&amp;format=jpg&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=80\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2509706801 jsx-3630940851\"><span class=\"stack jsx-2959124702 jsx-702910195 author-sign-off-header\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/person\/tomphillipsIGN\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"interface jsx-1132626198 jsx-2809511915 bold underlined\">Tom Phillips<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 muted\">News Editor<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-2509706801 jsx-1220387432\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"interface jsx-1132626198 sign-off-text\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Tom Phillips is IGN&#8217;s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer\">@tomphillipseg.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/section>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pok\u00e9mon cards will likely be used as currency following a global apocalypse, one venture capitalist has suggested. Pete Levin, founder of VC firm Griffin Gaming Partners, said that the &#8220;global phenomenon&#8221; of Pok\u00e9mon trading cards was perfect for use as a new form of currency, should the world&#8217;s current economy collapse due to some terrible [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,243],"class_list":["post-2138088","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-ign-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2138088","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2138088"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2138088\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2138088"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2138088"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2138088"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}