Forget Bitcoin, S&P 500: Pokémon Cards Are Up 28% In 2026 and Beating Them Both
Key takeaways
- Pokémon cards are beating the S&P 500 and Bitcoin in 2026, driven by genuine demand and a growing market.
- Pokémon cards have surged 28% in value in 2026.
- The S&P 500 has gained 12.8% in 2026.
- Bitcoin has fallen 28.8% in 2026.
What happened
Pokémon cards have surged 28% in value in 2026, outperforming the S&P 500 and Bitcoin.
Why it matters
The Pokémon card market's growth is driven by genuine demand, unlike crypto, which is still searching for stable demand. The market's infrastructure, however, remains antiquated, with collectors facing long wait times for grading and high fees.
Short-term and longer-term
Short-term. The rise of Pokémon cards is a short-term opportunity for traders, with the market's growth driven by genuine demand.
Longer-term. The Pokémon card market's growth is driven by a combination of factors, including the rise of online marketplaces and the increasing popularity of collectibles.