Since its invention, Wall Street has decided what it would count as a “real” investment.
stock? absolutely. Real estate and real estate? of course.
But trading cards? It’s too sentimental. Too niche. He’s too “lovers.”
That outdated perception is changing rapidly. As tariffs begin to raise the costs of imports, consumers are already heading towards domestic assets here. Resale markets, collectibles and trading cards are rising in demand as investors are seeking alternatives beyond traditional stock-bond combinations.
Collectibles have emerged as legitimate asset classes. This is a global industry of over $600 billion, with trading cards worth more than $15 billion as of 2024.
These are no longer just nostalgic artifacts. They are financial products with true stay power.
Trading cards share many characteristics with assets that banks already recognize as legitimate investments.
Long before blockchain promised digital rarity, the cards were verifiable, limited edition assets with authentication and a passionate collector base.
Unlike many speculative digital assets, trading cards have endured recessions, inflation, market crashes, and now a tariff-driven economy.
ALT has tracked millions of transactions across staged trading cards in key markets. The data tells a compelling story. The trading card market is not only vibrant, but also growing.
In 2024 alone, Grade Trading Card Transactions (overall markets) increased by 17.8% compared to 2023 and 68.7% compared to 2021.
Total transaction value also increased 10.35% year-on-year from 2023 to 2024, indicating an increase in buyer trust and participation.
Of particular note is the momentum in the $1,000 category, with both transaction count and value increasing by nearly 18%. Clear indicator trading cards are equally accessible, investable and relevant to a wide range of collectors and investors.
This growth is never as clear as in Pokemon cards. Its value has been rising significantly recently. Nearly 20% Over the past few months, some individual cards have experienced a surge in prices Up to 150%.
This trend underscores the growing recognition of trading cards as a viable alternative asset in today’s market.
As an avid collector, we have been trading cards since childhood.
At the time, it was about stitching together cash to buy essential cards, but it became clear over time.
Leore began strategically obtaining Kobe Bryant cards in 2016, finding undervalued assets using platforms such as eBay. The $15,000 investment has grown to $15 million. Not by luck, but by data-driven strategies.
For investors looking for liquidity, trading cards offer entry points at almost every price level.
The seven-figure Mickey Mantle and Pokemon Illustrator cards dominate the headlines, but investment grade cards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 make them more achievable than commercial real estate and art.
Collectibles offer an unusual edge as traditional goods and imports become more expensive and inaccessible. They are already here.
The resale market is surged as buyers turn to high-quality domestic assets that do not involve the uncertainty of international supply chains and price instability.
With its established market history, institutional grade infrastructure and proven resilience, trading cards offer a highly appealing solution for those looking outside the traditional market.
Remember the next time someone pitches digital collectibles: the original NFT (impossible token) was trading in a vibrant market for decades, sitting in a protective case.
Often, the most innovative investment opportunities are not new technology, but old assets that are freshly visible.
With tariff pressures rising and business booming, the market is not waiting for banks to catch up.
Leore Avidar is the founder and CEO of Alt, a platform that changes the way alternative assets are purchased, sold and stored. Alexis Ohanian is the founder of Seven Seven Six, founder of Alt Investor and executive chair, and Reddit’s founder and former executive chair.
