Cover image via @richdadwilliam (Instagram)
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A Singaporean full-time card trader, identified only as HK, recently completed a remarkable trade at a Malaysian card show on Friday, 1 May
He exchanged eight rare One Piece trading cards for a Patek Philippe watch valued at SGD160,000 (RM495,132) and SGD20,000 (RM61,891) in cash.
HK, a former interior designer who turned to card trading full-time last year, described the transaction as the biggest trade of his career.
The cards involved in the trade were valued at approximately SGD180,000 (RM557,024)
According to HK, the Malaysian buyer offered him a choice between the luxury timepiece and a Ferrari.
While noting that the car was technically worth more, HK opted for the watch to avoid the logistical difficulties of transporting a vehicle across borders and the significant costs associated with Singapore's Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system.
HK decided to proceed with the trade primarily to generate cash flow and "rotate his inventory"
Despite the significant value of this swap, he noted it was not his largest financial transaction to date; he previously closed a deal involving cards worth roughly SGD500,000 (RM1,547,290) in cash.
The One Piece franchise, based on the popular Japanese manga and anime series, has seen a surge in global popularity, further bolstered by a successful live-action adaptation on Netflix
This cultural reach has translated into a high-stakes collectables market. HK's personal investment in the hobby-turned-career is substantial, with the trader having spent over SGD1,000,000 (RM3,094,580) on his inventory over the past year. He now travels internationally every month to attend major card shows to maintain his business.
Watch the trade happen below:
