Pokémon cards have been many things a childhood hobby, a playground currency, a cartoon tie-in. Now, they are an investment vehicle outperforming the stock market, drawing in crypto millionaires, and driving scenes of near-stampedes at toy stores across Britain and the United States.

Since 2020, Pokémon card prices have risen 1,350%, according to an index compiled by Collectors, which owns grading agency Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). Reportedly, over the longer stretch from 2004 to 2020, prices climbed 282% a fraction of the recent surge.

The Pokémon Company has since capitalised........

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