# Pokémon card boom sends Mercari stock on wild ride

> Japanese marketplace Mercari restricted Pokémon anniversary product listings over safety concerns, triggering a stock selloff that analysts quickly called oversold.
- Title: Pokémon card boom sends Mercari stock on wild ride · CNBC
- Summary: Japanese marketplace Mercari restricted Pokémon anniversary product listings over safety concerns, triggering a stock selloff that analysts quickly called…
- Keywords: mercari, pokémon cards, 30th anniversary products, stock volatility, online marketplace, trading restrictions, japan, citibank, marketplace safety, pokemon company, business, finance
- Source: CNBC — https://cnbc.com/2026/09/18/pokmon-cards-mercari-stock.html
- Author: Jenny Lee
- Published: 2026-09-18T04:09:56+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mercari, pokémon cards, 30th anniversary products, stock volatility, online marketplace, trading restrictions, japan, citibank, marketplace safety, pokemon company, business, finance
## Mercari restricts Pokémon listings
The Japanese online marketplace banned listings of Pokémon's 30th anniversary products Tuesday over concerns that surging transactions could spark trading disputes and user harassment.

> The company said the restrictions would remain in place for as long as it determines that a safe and secure trading environment cannot be ensured.
## Stock tumbles then bounces back
Mercari shares fell 6.4% Wednesday when restrictions took effect, but recovered 1.4% Thursday and jumped over 4% Friday, outperforming the Nikkei 225.
## Analysts call shares oversold
Citibank said the stock's weakness pushed it to overly pessimistic levels and called the pullback an investment opportunity, noting the restrictions won't significantly impact forecasts.

> Citi also said that the halt to trading of certain products was negative for Mercari, but said the impact was not significant enough for the bank to revise its forecasts.
## Pokémon card prices exploded
Card prices surged 1,350% since 2020, with rare cards selling for millions. Logan Paul sold a Pikachu Illustrator card for over $16 million in 2026, and one card reportedly fetched $2.7 million at auction.

> Pokémon card prices have surged 1,350% since 2020, according to an index compiled by Collectors, which owns card grading agency Professional Sports Authenticator.
## Global demand shows no signs of slowing
Pokémon was searched over six million times on eBay's U.K. site in July alone. New cards sell out within minutes, with collectors coordinating on X and Discord to track releases.
## Mercari prepared for this moment
The marketplace signed an agreement with The Pokémon Company in 2023 and introduced a 2025 policy allowing it to restrict listings when fraud, disputes, or extreme price swings threaten safety.
## Key takeaway

Temporary trading restrictions on hot products can spook investors, but analysts see the impact as manageable when marketplace fundamentals remain strong.