According to CoinDesk data, the Pokémon Card Index has risen approximately 28% year-to-date (YTD), outperforming the S&P 500's gain of about 13% and Bitcoin's decline of approximately 27% (currently trading at $63,400) over the same period. This trend reflects some investors increasing their allocation to collectibles, such as "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary, who recently disclosed investing millions of dollars in rare sports cards, calling them a legitimate alternative asset class. Target reported a nearly 70% increase in trading card sales in 2025, projected to exceed $1 billion, with Pokémon cards being one of the main drivers.