Once dismissed as mere collectibles for children and nostalgic millennials, Pokémon cards have evolved into a full-blown economic phenomenon. The global Pokémon card market has now officially surpassed the GDP of multiple sovereign nations — including Tuvalu, Nauru, and even Liechtenstein — with an estimated market value exceeding $15 billion. What began in the late 1990s as a trading card game has mutated into a hyper-speculative asset class where holographic cardboard is traded like gold bullion.

At the heart of this cardboard craze are cultural flashpoints like the legendary 1st Edition Charizard, which regularly fetches six to seven figures in pristine condition. Influencers and celebrities have poured rocket fuel on the market, with none more prominent than Logan Paul, who famously dropped $5.27 million on a rare Pikachu Illustrator card — then encased it in a diamond-encrusted chain and wore it to WrestleMania like a modern-day Mansa Musa of Pokémon.

The COVID-19 pandemic added further fuel to the fire. Lockdowns, stimulus checks, and widespread boredom triggered a massive wave of pandemic-era FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), leading to skyrocketing prices for sealed booster boxes, graded singles, and long-forgotten binders stashed in attics. Cards once worth $10 were suddenly commanding prices comparable to Rolexes and down payments on homes.

Analysts are now openly discussing the rise of “cardboard assets” — a term once used mockingly, now taken semi-seriously on Wall Street. Some claim Pokémon cards are outperforming traditional investments such as stocks, cryptocurrencies, and even real estate. Hedge fund managers have reportedly added sealed Base Set boxes to their portfolios, and one bold collector even attempted to use a PSA 10 Blastoise as mortgage collateral. The bank declined — but only after getting it appraised.

In a rare public comment, the IMF has acknowledged that it is “keeping an eye” on the situation, citing concerns that a speculative bubble in alternative collectibles could have unforeseen effects on international markets. While no official action has been taken, whispers suggest that the Pokémon bubble is now too big to ignore.

In a more bizarre turn, rumors are swirling that El Salvador, known for making Bitcoin legal tender, is exploring whether Base Set booster packs could serve as a new form of economic backing. An unverified government document, circulating in collector Discords, allegedly outlines a “Pokémon-Based Monetary Transition Plan” that pegs the national reserve to shadowless Charizards and Neo Genesis sets.

Meanwhile, local card shops are becoming unofficial financial institutions. Binders are being valued like portfolios. Reddit threads resemble investor calls. And your uncle who threw out your childhood collection is now part of a national tragedy.

TL;DR: Pokémon cards are now worth more than actual countries. The economic frontier has officially gone holographic. Stay broke, trainer.