Entertainment Updates: S$6.8M for a single Pokemon card? Inside the billion-dollar TCG obsession.

Source:

https://vulcanpost.com/897421/singapore-pokemon-cards-hype/

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Spending S$6.8 million on a single Pokémon card might sound absurd, but in the trading card game (TCG) world, it represents the height of a booming billion-dollar industry. The card in question—Logan Paul’s Pikachu Illustrator, one of only 39 in existence—earned its astronomical price due to rarity, pristine condition (PSA 10 rating), and cultural value. Cards like these are carefully authenticated and preserved, sometimes even displayed with luxury cases.

The Pokémon TCG, with over 75 billion cards sold worldwide, stands as the best-selling trading card game, eclipsing rivals like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Magic: The Gathering. Demand surged during the pandemic, when nostalgia and investment frenzy collided, pushing auction prices and returns to dizzying levels—some cards have risen over 3,000% since 2004. In Singapore, the hype is visible at store launches and conventions that draw thousands, sometimes sparking chaotic scenes like the cancelled Prismatic Evolutions release at Jewel Changi.

While the speculative mania has cooled, vendors note that interest remains strong. Collectors-turned-retailers like The Pokemon Guys and Capybara Cards highlight how the hobby shifted from casual pastime to side hustles and even full businesses. Yet, the market is now saturated, with demand normalising post-pandemic. Investors continue to monitor prices, but the true lifeblood of the community lies with passionate fans.

Collectors such as Red Mora, who has amassed over 100 Charizard cards since childhood, embody the enduring heart of Pokémon. For him and many others, cards are not just financial assets but cherished memories, artworks, and pieces of nostalgia. Even amid market fluctuations, the thrill of pulling a rare card, trading with friends, or completing a set reminds players that at its core, Pokémon is still about joy—not just profit.