Most people think Pokémon cards are toys for kids.
Adlin Yusman says that’s exactly why most people don’t understand the collectibles market.
After spending years collecting, trading, and building Collektr, he’s witnessed the rise of an entirely new asset class—one powered by nostalgia, scarcity, culture, and community.
What started with sneakers, watches, and comic books has evolved into a global collectibles economy worth billions. Today, rare Pokémon cards can sell for more than luxury watches, while collectors compete worldwide for items most people once threw away.
In this episode, Adlin breaks down the psychology, economics, and business behind collectibles. From a Pokémon card that jumped from USD8,000 to USD44,000 in just months, to the rise of live-stream commerce and auction platforms, this conversation explores why people are willing to spend RM200,000—or more—on a single card.
Because the real value isn’t cardboard.
It’s culture, scarcity, and belief.
TL/DW of the episode:
→ Why some Pokémon cards are worth more than luxury watches
→ The difference between collecting and investing
→ How nostalgia creates real economic value
→ Why rare collectibles continue appreciating across generations
→ The rise and fall of sneaker investing
→ How live auctions transformed the collectibles market
→ The business model behind Collektr
→ Why alternative assets are attracting a new generation of investors
→ What makes a collectible truly valuable
→ The future of collectibles in Southeast Asia
CHAPTERS
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:02:00 – Why Collectibles Are the New Alternative Asset Class
00:07:10 – Building Collektr
00:10:00 – Hidden Treasure: What Might Be Valuable in Your Storeroom?
00:18:00 – How Technology Is Changing Collecting
00:22:30 – What Determines the Value of a Collectible?
00:30:00 – Authentication, Trust & Marketplaces
00:35:00 – Why Collecting Is Becoming Mainstream
00:42:00 – One Piece, Pokémon & The Future of Pop Culture Collecting
00:45:00 – The RM100,000 Collection Story
00:47:33 – Closing Thoughts
Adlin Yusman
Co-Founder of Collektr
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