By Jonathan Marin CVAu, AVAA Certified Valuer and Managing Director, TCG Valuations
I recently spoke with 7NEWS about a question that's been getting a lot of attention: could Pokémon cards become a new form of currency?
The question came from US investor Peter Levin, founder of Griffin Gaming Partners, who suggested that if the world collapsed tomorrow, Pokémon cards would become the global currency. It's a deliberately bold claim. But behind it sits something much more serious, and it's already happening in Australia.
Trading cards are already part of real financial decisions
As a certified valuer, I'm seeing a steady rise in requests to value trading card collections for:
- Family law property settlements, where collections need to be valued and divided
- Self-managed super funds (SMSFs), where collectables have specific legal requirements
- Insurance, where collectors need agreed values that will hold up at claim time
- Deceased estates, where executors must account for every asset
These are real decisions with legal and financial consequences. A single graded card can now be worth more than a car, and some collections are worth more than a house.
The rules haven't caught up
In Australia, trading cards sit across several regulators without clearly belonging to any of them. The ATO treats them as collectables for capital gains tax. Superannuation law has specific rules for collectables held in SMSFs, including storage, insurance and valuation requirements. AUSTRAC and ASIC oversee money laundering and financial products, but neither framework was designed with trading cards in mind.
When 7NEWS put these questions to the relevant agencies, the responses pointed to rules that already apply. That's true as far as it goes. But being technically covered isn't the same as being practically protected. There is still:
- No clear standard for who is qualified to value a trading card for court, tax or super
- No consistent approach to authentication and condition in formal valuations
- Real risk from counterfeit cards and fake grading slabs as values rise
Why trust is the real currency
A card only works as a financial asset when people trust two things: that it's genuine, and that its value is fair. That trust is the infrastructure this market runs on.
That's why professional standards matter. The Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia (AVAA) recommends that valuations for significant holdings be prepared by a professional holding the CVAu credential with specific trading card expertise. A formal valuation should include physical inspection, authentication, verified comparable sales and a clear, defensible methodology.
What this means for you
Collectors: If your collection is significant, get it properly valued and insured. Online price guides and asking prices aren't valuations.
Lawyers and financial advisers: If trading cards appear in a property settlement, estate or SMSF, engage a certified valuer with trading card expertise, not a general valuer or a dealer quote.
Everyone: As this market grows, expect more attention from regulators. Good records, proper valuations and authenticated items will matter more, not less.
Frequently asked questions
Are Pokémon cards legally considered a financial asset in Australia?
Not as a financial product. The ATO treats them as collectables for capital gains tax, and SMSF rules apply specific requirements when they're held in super.
Who can value trading cards for a divorce or SMSF?
Look for a certified valuer (CVAu) accredited by the Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia, with specific trading card expertise.
Is a graded card the same as a valued card?
No. Grading assesses a card's authenticity and condition. A valuation determines its market value for a specific purpose, such as insurance, tax or a legal settlement.
How do I get my collection valued?
You can book a certified valuation with TCG Valuations online. Every report is serial-numbered, insurer-ready and backed by $10M professional indemnity cover.
Read the full 7NEWS article: https://7news.com.au/news/aussie-expert-backs-claim-pokemon-cards-could-become-a-new-currency-c-22885226.amp
Jonathan Marin CVAu is an AVAA Certified Valuer, an elected board member of the Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia, and Managing Director of TCG Valuations. Learn more at jonathanmarin.com.au.