Yet in the TCG hobby, all it takes to call yourself an investor is... enthusiasm.
That’s the disconnect. We’ve built a culture around “plays” and “picks” without any structure, accountability, or risk assessment. Collectors are encouraged to throw hundreds or even thousands of dollars into sealed product, slabs, or “grail” chases based on influencer hype—with no plan, no safeguards, and no true understanding of what investing actually means.
This is why we’re creating the Holy Shock TCG Investor Readiness Checklist.
It’s not about gatekeeping. It’s about raising the bar.
⚠️ Speculation Is Not a Dirty Word—But It Is a Dangerous One
Make no mistake: investing in collectibles is speculative. That means it's inherently high-risk, emotionally driven, and highly sensitive to market narratives, influencer voices, and unpredictable demand.
Speculation is betting on what you think might happen, often with limited data and low liquidity. In traditional finance, speculative investments are carefully gated, requiring accreditation or regulatory oversight. In collectibles? Anyone with a smartphone and a microphone can call a market move—often with zero accountability when they're wrong.
Yes, some intellectual properties like Pokémon have shown impressive staying power. But there are far more examples of failed TCGs, overpriced modern sets, and graded card bubbles that never recovered. You only hear about the winners because nobody brags about losing 80% on a collectible that never caught on.
That’s why strategy matters. That’s why discipline matters.
🎯 What This Series Aims to Do
The Holy Shock checklist isn’t just a set of questions—it’s a mindset shift.
It challenges you to stop thinking like a fan chasing hype and start thinking like someone building a portfolio. We’re going to walk through seven key areas that anyone calling themselves a TCG investor should reflect on:
- Identity & Legitimacy – Who are you in this market? Are you operating with purpose or emotion?
- Financial Readiness – Are you investing money you can truly afford to lose?
- Knowledge & Experience – Have you done the work, or just followed the noise?
- Suitability & Risk Tolerance – Are you prepared for what a downturn feels like?
- Product-Level Due Diligence – Do you understand what you're buying and why?
- Compliance Mindset – Are you documenting, reporting, and behaving ethically?
- Ongoing Monitoring – Are you treating this like an actual investment, or just winging it?
Each upcoming post will break down one of these areas—not to scare you off, but to help you sharpen your approach. The truth is, if you’re serious about TCG investing, you owe it to yourself to move past the hype and into something sustainable.
🛡️ A Word About Influence
In the financial world, becoming a licensed advisor requires study, exams, background checks, continuing education, and regulatory oversight. Yet in the TCG space, we have self-declared market experts with no training offering daily “calls” to thousands of viewers. That contrast should concern you.
Eventually, we’ll cover what it actually takes to become a financial professional—but for now, let this be the reminder: just because someone is loud doesn’t mean they’re right.
📌 Next Step: Breaking Down the Checklist
In the next post, we’ll begin the deep dive with the first section of the checklist: Identity & Legitimacy—because before you invest in anything, you need to be honest about what role you’re playing in this hobby.
Let’s make the foundation strong before we build.
⚠️ Important Note
This post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest in any security, asset, or collectible. Before making any investment decision, you should consult with a licensed professional who can evaluate your unique financial situation and help you create a plan that aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.