💰 TCG as an investment? An honest assessment from a collector's perspective

Jul 25, 2025

By Jeremy Warken

Trading card games—from Pokémon to sports cards to Yu-Gi-Oh!—have long been more than just a hobby for many. For the younger generation, trading cards are increasingly becoming a modern form of tangible assets. But how realistic is this really? Can TCG products work as an investment?

In this article, you will receive a personal, but also considered assessment of what is possible – and where you should be cautious.

🧠 Why do people invest in TCGs?

In a world where traditional investment forms like savings accounts or call money barely yield interest, many young people are looking for alternatives. TCG products offer something that stocks, ETFs, or real estate can never provide:

💡 Emotional connection – many grew up with Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh! or Panini
🎨 Aesthetics & Nostalgia – the cards look great, tell stories, awaken childhood memories
🎲 Excitement & collecting instinct – like little treasure chests to open, swap & admire
📈 Potential – some cards explode in value

You don't just collect—you empathize. And that's what makes it so appealing to many.

📊 History & Performance – what do the numbers say?

History shows that some products have performed extremely positively over the long term. Examples:

Pokémon Sun & Moon or Sword & Shield sets have performed in recent years in a way that traditional investments can only dream of.
Sports cards offer the real chance of drawing a card for a few euros that – with luck – is worth five or even six figures.
Vintage products such as first Pokémon editions or Topps rookie cards are traded internationally and continue to rise in value.

But be careful: This is not the rule – but rather the highlight.

🙋♂️ Personal view: Why I collect TCG myself

I myself grew up with Yu-Gi-Oh! and the like. Today, I love maintaining my collection, building it, and simply looking at it. When I sit on the couch in the evening and see the colorful boxes on my shelf, I think back to the time in kindergarten when the three of us would sit on the floor and trade cards.

And honestly, that’s often worth more to me than any chart or stock ticker.

Of course, I monitor the market—but fun is my top priority. If that leads to an investment, all the better.

✅ Pros & Cons – is it really worth it?

✅ Pros:

Emotional & nostalgic connection
Limited quantities & rarity
Visible, physical values
Growing community & demand
Grading options protect the cards
Easily tradable via platforms like Cardmarket
Space-saving storage – also ideal as a tangible asset
The young generation is growing up in the topic
Many celebrities & influencers push the hype
Potentially strong performance

❌ Cons:

Cards have no intrinsic value like gold
You need a buyer – like everything
Protection & grading are effort & cost factor
Maintaining value requires care and market knowledge
Dependence on the trend & the community

🎭 Collecting is more than just numbers

TCG is a matter of the heart. Many people today don't just want to invest—they want to own something special. Limited-edition cards, graded pieces, or products like Labubu, Pokémon Vintage, or Marvel Aura are more than objects. They are statements.

They represent prestige. They represent culture. And yes, they are also a piece of childhood.

🔍 The most important manufacturers at a glance:

Pokémon Company
Topps (sports cards, Star Wars, etc.)
Panini (Soccer, NBA)
Konami (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Bandai (One Piece, Dragon Ball)
Kakawow (Disney, Marvel, China exclusive)
Upper Deck (Hockey, Marvel etc.)

These manufacturers are established, trustworthy, and their cards are collected, graded, and traded worldwide.

📦 Conclusion: Investment or passion?

The truth, as is so often the case, lies somewhere in between. Anyone who buys TCG products just to get rich quickly will likely be disappointed. But anyone who collects because they love the products, because they bring joy and perhaps develop long-term value – then this is the right place for them.

Collecting can be fun.
Collecting can be exciting.
And sometimes – incidentally – it even pays off.

📢 Important: This is not investment advice – but a personal assessment from the perspective of a passionate collector.

If you're just starting out or want to delve into the world of TCG investments, feel free to visit our shop – at Habibicards, you'll find a huge selection of special products that will make any collector's heart beat faster.

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