Every weekend in towns across the nation, Americans of all ages flood into card shows at shopping malls, convention centers, and stores with binders full of Pokemon cards and sling bags full of cash. The modern Pokémon card market is a mass-market phenomenon unlike any other–part hobby, part investment, and part cultural revival. While sneakers and Labubu dolls became cold, transactional secondary markets driven by exclusion and exploitation, the Pokemon card scene has thrived on community spirit. Pokémon cards have reached record value across the board as the ones that were worth tens or hundreds just 2-3 years ago have reached thousands this year. Even though personal profit is the primary motive - information and insights circulate openly. Personal wins and losses get documented publicly. Veterans act as teachers and historians as much as traders, broadcasting their experiences, tips, and philosophies online before they even have audiences.