Pokémon cards have come a long way since the first set hit the market in 1996. Sure, they’re still widely collected and adored by children and enthusiasts of all ages, but the original generation that grew up playing Pokémon is adults now, and with discretionary income at their disposal, which is just one of the many reasons why the value of Pokémon cards has taken off in recent years. What used to be a nostalgic card game for many is now a collectible trading hands for prices once reserved for high-end jewelry, fine art and luxury watches. And lenders have taken notice, leading to a growing category of lending: trading card loans.
Here’s why Pokémon values are on the rise and how you can cash in on your collection without selling.
Key Takeaways
- Pokémon cards are rising in value thanks, in part, to increasing popularity and limited supply.
- Record-setting auctions, like the Logan Paul Pokémon Card/2026 Goldin Pokémon Auction, are creating better market transparency.
- Rising Pokémon card values matter. Better overall transparency in the market reduces lenders’ risk. That leads to better offers for trading card loans.
- Collectibles are maturing as an asset class, now seen as legitimate alternative luxury assets.
- A step-by-step breakdown on how to borrow against Pokémon cards
Why Pokémon Cards Are Suddenly Worth So Much Money
Several factors have led to the recent rise in Pokémon card values. As we already covered a bit above, the original collectors from the late 1990s and 2000s are adults now, searching for the vintage cards from their childhood, which is driving some of the recent demand. Supply also comes into play as popularity continues to boom in recent years. Print supply remains limited. Plus, the most sought-after cards are increasingly difficult to find in a market saturated with droves of new and old collectors.
What’s more, the market is becoming more sophisticated. Professional grading has introduced a well-established set of standards to determine condition and authenticity, which has only improved buyer confidence. The rarest cards can now be backed by some form of guarantee with properly documented sales histories. They’re no longer speculative novelties but serious, reliable assets with long-term demand.
Other factors that increase value for Pokémon cards:
- Limited prints
- High gradings through professional grading services
- Art errors or misprints
- Rarity or age (vintage cards from early sets)
- Discontinued sets
Record-Setting Auctions and What They Signal for Lending
High-profile auctions help validate pricing across the market by demonstrating on a more public stage just how much people are willing to pay for Pokémon cards. And that doesn’t just include passionate collectors, either. Demand extends beyond the collector community to broader investor circles and pretty much anyone looking for a solid luxury asset to invest in.
A prime example is the ongoing Goldin auction of Logan Paul’s rare PSA 10 Pokémon Illustrator card, which the internet personality originally bought back in 2022 for $5.2 million. The auction is still underway as of the writing of this article but has already generated massive buzz online and in various media outlets, not just among card collectors.
Headline-grabbing auctions like Paul’s are important to the industry because they help pave the way for an even more transparent secondary market. These aren’t cards being traded under the table between collectors. These are incredibly valuable cards with established, very public records that anyone can find by searching the web. The marketplace is becoming increasingly transparent and structured, thanks in part to high-profile auctions like Logan Paul’s.
As assets, Pokémon cards are becoming more reliable, which bodes well for borrowers looking to use them as collateral.
Other High-Profile Pokémon Card Auctions:
- Signed 60th Birthday Tsunekazu Ishihara GX Black Star Promo – $247,230
- Pikachu Trainer Bronze Trophy Card – $300,000
- Charizard with case signed by artist Mitsuhiro Arita – $324,000
- Wizards of the Coast special commission Blastoise – $360,000
- TopSun promotional Charizard – $493,230
Why Rising Pokémon Card Values Matter to Asset Lending
That brings us to our next point. Why rising card values matter in the first place. In short, the more an asset (Pokémon cards in this case) is worth, the more the lender can offer for the loan. There’s also the factor of reduced risk. Record-setting auctions and other trends have made the market more transparent, making it easier for lenders to determine the value and potential resale of cards.
Collectibles as a Maturing Asset Class
Pokémon cards are just the tip of the iceberg of an ever-growing asset class. Different types of collectibles, like sports memorabilia, comic books, sports cards and vintage toys, are more widely recognized as legitimate assets. There’s better demand and pricing transparency these days. Even if your collectible is rare, chances are you can find some kind of paper trail somewhere online to validate its worth.
What’s the point here? Well, the evolution of collectibles ultimately benefits both collectors and lenders. People who invest in collectibles have more options for cashing in on their assets, which we will cover in detail in the next section. Lenders, on the other hand, have a strong, reliable asset category with ever-growing market awareness. The Pokémon card market has been growing in recent years. As it does, so will its role in asset-backed lending.
Using Pokémon and Trading Cards as Collateral
Pokémon and trading card loans work like any other asset-backed loan. The borrower pledges a high-value card as security, aka collateral, for the loan in exchange for cash. There aren’t any credit checks since the loan is backed by the value of the cards, meaning the entire process is confidential and kept only between the lender and the borrower. Furthermore, the borrower retains ownership of their cards throughout the loan. All assets are stored in a secure vault until the loan is repaid.
Important note: Not all cards qualify as collateral. Lenders typically only accept high-value trading cards, such as professionally graded or rare cards with recent market data to back them up.
Here’s how it works:
- Anyone local to Qollateral in NYC or nationwide can make an appointment to loan against Pokémon cards. It starts by submitting a request for a loan offer.
- An appraiser from Qollateral’s team will be in touch. They might ask for pictures or more details about your cards before presenting a preliminary quote.
- Mail or bring your cards in for a private appraisal. During this step, we will examine the cards in person to determine authenticity and market value.
- Receive an offer based on a percentage of the market value of your cards.
- Sign the loan agreement. At this time, your cards will be placed in a secure, fully monitored vault. Every asset in Qollateral’s care is fully insured by Lloyd’s of London.
- Instant funding: cash, check or bank wire.
- Repay the loan and collect your cards.
When Pokémon Cards Become Capital
Pokémon cards have officially evolved into a legitimate asset class, fueled by factors like Logan Paul’s recent high-profile auction and an increasingly transparent secondary market, just to name a few. That means new and exciting opportunities for collectors. Instead of selling their prized collections, they can tap into other options, such as securing a loan against trading cards, which allows them to cash in while retaining ownership.
A great place to start is with a reputable lender in good standing among its community and client base, such as Qollateral.
Contact us to schedule an appointment for your free, no-obligation quote.
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