Pokémon trading cards have become a major investment market, with rare cards like a 1998 Pikachu Illustrator selling for $16.5 million. Professional grading services like PSA determine card value based on authenticity, condition, and scarcity, with the TCG market now valued at $50 million and growing rapidly on platforms like eBay and Heritage Auctions.
Jonathan Spalletta, a 36-year-old Maryland cybersecurity consultant, was convicted of stealing over $50 million in cryptocurrency from the Uranium Finance platform through exploits of smart contract vulnerabilities in two separate hacks in April 2021. He laundered the stolen funds by purchasing rare trading cards, collectible coins, and historical artifacts, including a $500,000 Magic card and $750,000 in Pokémon cards, before authorities seized $31 million in cryptocurrency.