Trading Cards vs Trading Crypto w/ Cold Blooded Shiller https://t.co/UtPzsu99uS ...

Trading cards are moving from dusty binders to investment portfolios. And it's not just sports cards. This Pokemon card sold for almost $17 million in February 2026, the most expensive trading card ever sold.It's possible that you may never see that card come up for sale in our lifetime. Since 2004, some Pokemon cards are far outpacing the broader market. For example, this card, if it was in perfect condition, would return significantly more than the S&P 500.And now investors and celebrities are taking noti ...

Core Insights - GameStop reported a 14% decline in fourth-quarter revenue, indicating ongoing challenges in its brick-and-mortar business due to the industry's shift towards digital gaming and reduced consumer demand [1][2]. Revenue Performance - Total revenue for the holiday quarter ending January 31 was $1.10 billion, down from $1.28 billion the previous year, reflecting a significant drop in sales [2]. - Hardware and accessories sales, which include new and pre-owned video games, fell to $535.6 million from $725.8 million year-over-year [5]. Cost Management and Strategic Shift - Under CEO Ryan Cohen, GameStop has focused on cost-cutting and streamlining operations, with selling, general, and administrative expenses decreasing to $241.5 million from $282.5 million in the same quarter last year [3]. - The company is shifting its strategy from reliance on hardware and software to a significant focus on trading cards and collectibles [3]. Operational Developments - GameStop has signed an agreement for a potential sale of its operations in France, indicating a strategic move to optimize its business footprint [4]. - A performance-based pay plan for CEO Ryan Cohen, valued at approximately $35 billion, has been proposed, which includes options to purchase over 171.5 million shares [4].

Core Insights - Michael Burry, a notable investor known for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, has expressed confidence in GameStop (GME) by revealing his ownership and recent purchases of the stock [1][2]. Company Performance - GameStop has faced challenges in reinventing its business model due to declining sales, leading to store closures [3]. - Following Burry's announcement, GameStop shares increased by over 4% on Monday, contributing to a 20% rise in value for the year 2026, although they remain significantly below the highs seen in early 2021 during the meme-stock phenomenon [3]. Management and Strategy - Burry has criticized GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen, suggesting that the current business is poorly managed and that Cohen is leveraging the meme stock trend to raise capital for future investments in more profitable ventures [4][6]. - GameStop is attempting to redefine its strategy by expanding into collectibles and investing in Bitcoin [4]. Investor Activity - The stock received a boost when it was reported that Ryan Cohen purchased 1 million shares of GameStop, indicating potential insider confidence in the company's future [5].

Core Viewpoint - GameStop has implemented a performance-based equity incentive plan for CEO Ryan Cohen, which is contingent on achieving significant growth in market capitalization and cumulative earnings [1][2]. Group 1: Incentive Structure - The plan grants Cohen stock options that will only vest if GameStop reaches a market capitalization of $100 billion and $10 billion in cumulative EBITDA [1]. - There is no partial credit; if the company does not meet at least $20 billion in market capitalization and $2 billion in cumulative EBITDA, none of the options will vest [2]. - The total award for Cohen could amount to stock options for 171,537,327 shares at a price of $20.66 per share if the targets are met [3]. Group 2: Company Performance - GameStop's shares fell by 36% last year, and the current market capitalization stands at $9.3 billion [2]. - The company reported a net income of $77.1 million in the third quarter [2]. Group 3: Business Strategy - GameStop is diversifying its business beyond physical video game sales, including ventures into collectibles, trading cards, and aggressive bitcoin purchases [4]. - However, there is a lack of a clear master plan on how these initiatives will achieve the growth necessary to meet the compensation targets [4]. Group 4: Alignment of Interests - The compensation structure aims to align Cohen's incentives with long-term shareholder returns by linking his pay to what GameStop describes as "extraordinary growth" [5].

Core Insights - GameStop, once a leader in the meme stock phenomenon, is facing significant challenges as its core video game retail business declines due to the rise of digital downloads and subscription services [1][12] - The company's third-quarter earnings report reveals a mixed performance, with net income increasing significantly while revenue has decreased [3][12] Financial Performance - GameStop's net income surged to $77.1 million, more than quadrupling year-over-year, while operating income turned positive at $41.3 million from a loss of $33.4 million [3] - Revenue fell by 4.6%, indicating struggles in the core business despite profit growth [3] - The largest segment, hardware and accessories, accounted for 45% of sales but dropped 12% to $367.4 million, while software sales plummeted 27% to $197.5 million [4] Revenue Breakdown - Collectibles have emerged as a key revenue source, now representing 31% of total revenue, up from 20% the previous year, with sales rising 50% year-over-year to $256.1 million [2][4] - Gross profit increased to $273.4 million due to tighter inventory management and lower markdowns, while cash reserves grew to $8.8 billion [4] Market Sentiment - Despite the profit increase, investor sentiment remains negative, with a 6% drop in stock price during pre-market trading, reflecting skepticism about the sustainability of the current business model [5] - Collectibles, while profitable, are viewed as a niche market with limited growth potential, raising concerns about the company's long-term viability [6][12] Digital and Crypto Ventures - GameStop's attempts to pivot to digital gaming have not been successful, with software sales declining significantly [2][12] - The company has invested in Bitcoin as a hedge against its declining retail model, holding 4,710 bitcoins valued at $519.4 million, but has faced unrealized losses due to the current crypto market downturn [9][10] Strategic Outlook - GameStop's reliance on collectibles and cryptocurrency reflects a lack of a robust strategy to revive its core business, with the company seen as struggling to maintain relevance in a rapidly changing market [12][14] - Investors are cautioned about the speculative nature of investing in a collectibles retailer that is also involved in cryptocurrency, suggesting a preference for companies with more substantial growth prospects [14]

Another RWA builder goes live on BNB Chain:@POPBOX_RWA turns physical trading card packs into verifiable onchain assets.Note: This post is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. DYOR.POPBOX (@POPBOX_RWA):POPBOX is LIVE! 🎒👉 Link: https://t.co/0VKH683cAq⚡️Tens of thousands of real #Pokemon packs, powered by a famous card trading platform in Japan — straight from 6 offline stores across Tokyo, bringing rare cards from the real world onto the blockchain.Built on @BNBCHAIN ! https://t.co/c9WUE ...

Core Insights - Live Ventures Incorporated's portfolio company, Vintage Stock, is experiencing strong growth in the Retail-Entertainment segment, with a 9% revenue increase and a 230 basis point rise in operating margin to 14.0% for the nine months ending June 30, 2025 [1] - Vintage Stock has achieved thirteen consecutive months of positive year-over-year comparable store sales, indicating sustained momentum in the retail sector [2] - The company benefits from a strategic advantage through long-standing vendor relationships, proprietary buying systems, and a hyper-localized inventory model [2] Company Performance - Vintage Stock's success is attributed to its philosophy of curating and preserving cultural artifacts, which aligns with the growing consumer demand for physical media and collectibles [3] - The company has seen a surge in consumer interest driven by social media trends, particularly on platforms like TikTok, which has increased in-store traffic [4] - Recent operational enhancements and the resurgence of analog culture among Gen Z have positioned Vintage Stock for growth in both revenue and EBITDA [5] Market Trends - The global trading card market is projected to reach $20 billion by 2030, with significant sales of Pokémon cards on platforms like eBay and Whatnot [7] - Vinyl record sales in the U.S. grew by over 21.7% last year, surpassing CD sales for the first time since the 1980s [7] - Certain retro video game cartridges and collectibles are now commanding five- and six-figure sales in secondary markets, reflecting a robust demand for vintage items [7] Future Outlook - Vintage Stock plans to expand its store count, enhance online-to-offline capabilities, and explore licensing partnerships with major entertainment brands to capitalize on the growing consumer appetite for vintage and collectible media [6]

Core Viewpoint - GameStop has successfully turned around its business under CEO Ryan Cohen, showcasing significant improvements in financial performance and cash generation despite challenges in the video gaming industry [1][10]. Financial Performance - GameStop reported a 22% increase in overall sales to $972.2 million in Q2, with adjusted net income rising to $138.3 million, or $0.25 per share, compared to $5.2 million, or $0.01 per share, in the previous year [6]. - Operating expenses decreased by 19% year over year to $218.8 million, reflecting the company's focus on cost reduction [3]. - The company generated $117.4 million in operating cash flow and $113.3 million in free cash flow during the quarter [7]. Market Dynamics - GameStop's game sales fell nearly 27% to $152.5 million, indicating ongoing pressures in the video gaming sector, although sales of consoles and accessories increased by 31% due to the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 [4][12]. - The collectibles market has become a significant growth area for GameStop, with collectibles revenue surging 63% in Q2 to $227.6 million [5][6]. Cash Position and Valuation - As of the end of Q2, GameStop had $8.7 billion in cash and $4.2 billion in debt, along with Bitcoin holdings valued at $528.6 million [8]. - The company's valuation is more reasonable now, trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 34 times this year's single analyst estimate, with $5 billion in net cash and Bitcoin on its balance sheet, equating to over $11 per share [11]. Future Prospects - GameStop is well-positioned if the trading card market remains strong, and the recent console release may provide additional momentum heading into the holiday season [12]. - There are speculations regarding potential investments or acquisitions, such as the rumored acquisition of PSA, which could further enhance the company's growth strategy [13].

real-life trading cards + tokenization = yayDanny Nelson (@realDannyNelson):Pokémon and other TCGs are about to have their “Polymarket moment.” Here’s why you should be paying attention:Most of crypto’s teal world asset (RWA) plays cater to well-established TradFi markets, like treasuries, real estate, gold and stocks. Sure, tokenization brings these ...