Pokémon faces rising counterfeit fraud and merchandise speculation

The Pokémon franchise is facing significant challenges regarding counterfeiting and extreme market speculation. According to PSA’s 2025 Fraud Report, counterfeit Pokémon card submissions increased by 125% compared to the previous year, while submissions for altered cards rose by 407%. PSA identified over $200 million in potentially fraudulent items across all collectible categories.

Beyond trading cards, the brand's popularity has triggered unusual speculative behavior in other merchandise. Following a 30th-anniversary collaboration with Krispy Kreme, empty doughnut boxes featuring characters like Pikachu and Squirtle have appeared on eBay. Some sellers are listing these empty containers for hundreds or even as much as $25,000, reflecting the intense collector fever surrounding the franchise.