Pokémon trading cards are their own economy artwork
The Vergecast

Pokémon trading cards are their own economy

Sep 29, 2026 · 34 min

The Pokémon Trading Card Game isn't just a game, it's an economy. Livestreamers provide vicarious dopamine hits to viewers who tune in to watch them open booster packs, and the rarest cards can resell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The game's 30th anniversary collection just launched, putting more copies of the game's rarest cards back into circulation. Guest host David Imel talks abou…