Welcome to Ashley Collectibles Research Group (ACRG), where data-driven strategies meet a passion for Pokémon investing. With decades of combined experience in trading, sales, marketing, and collectibles, we’re here to bring a professional, high-performing approach to the collectible card market. Our mission is simple: to empower collectors and investors with cutting-edge research and insights, transforming Pokémon cards into a thriving investment opportunity.

Who We Are

ACRG is led by Dustin Ashley, Devin Ashley, and Lauren Ashley, a family team united by a shared passion for collectibles and a commitment to excellence.

Dustin Ashley – Founder and Lead Investment Strategist

• Expert Investor: With over 15 years of experience in financial markets, Dustin has mastered a variety of strategies, including social arbitrage investing, fundamental analysis, technical trading, and futures and options trading. His expertise spans day trading, swing trading, and long-term investing, giving him the versatility to adapt to ever-changing markets.

• AI & Machine Learning Specialist: Dustin also brings a deep understanding of AI and machine learning, having leveraged these technologies to create a comprehensive, data-driven predicting tool for the Pokémon card market. This allows ACRG to make the most accurate predictions possible, transforming the way investment decisions are made in the collectibles space.

• Proven Leader: Dustin has held senior executive positions, including:

• Senior Director at Rocket Mortgage: Led cross-functional teams to drive innovative financial solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience.

• Vice President at F5 Mortgage: Oversaw growth and strategic operations in a rapidly scaling startup, helping to shape the company’s direction and ensure operational success.

• Vice President of Training and Development at eMortgage: Focused on developing high-impact training programs that empowered teams to perform at their best, improving sales and service efficiency.

This leadership experience ensures ACRG runs efficiently, scales successfully, and meets its business goals.

Collectibles Specialist: With over 15 years of experience buying, selling, and collecting, Dustin has developed a deep understanding of the Pokémon market. His expertise extends to identifying high-probability trades, leveraging market data and trends to maximize returns.

Devin Ashley – Co-Founder and Collectibles Specialist

Seasoned Collector: Devin brings over 15 years of expertise in trading Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and sports cards, offering a well-rounded perspective on collectible markets. His diverse experience enables him to spot trends and opportunities in a wide range of collectible assets.

Strategic Operations and Logistics: Devin excels in managing ACRG's day-to-day operations, from logistics to ensuring that all processes run smoothly and efficiently. His focus on streamlining operations allows the company to focus on its strategic goals and maximize its overall efficiency.

Market Analysis and Insights: Leveraging his experience in multiple collectible markets, Devin helps guide ACRG's research framework, offering key insights into current market trends, collector behavior, and potential investment opportunities.

Lauren Ashley – Social Media and Marketing Director

Marketing Expert: Lauren has over 10 years of experience in customer service and marketing, bringing a unique ability to build and maintain relationships with clients and communities. She manages ACRG’s social media presence across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube Shorts, ensuring the company maintains an engaging and trusted presence in the market.

Community Builder: Lauren focuses on connecting with the Pokémon community, fostering trust and transparency. She works to drive traffic to ACRG’s Patreon and website, turning online engagement into valuable customer relationships.

Content Creation: Lauren’s creative skills allow her to produce compelling, eye-catching content that resonates with collectors and investors alike. Her ability to effectively communicate ACRG’s value proposition makes her a critical component of the business’s long-term success.

What We Do

At ACRG, we specialize in providing research and insights to help collectors and investors make informed decisions in the Pokémon market. We do not manage funds, collect money to invest on behalf of others, or act as a financial institution. Instead, we offer cutting-edge analytics and proprietary tools through platforms like Patreon and exclusive reports, empowering our clients to execute their own trades with confidence.

Our Philosophy: HPT 10 Point Investment Strategy

Ashley Collectibles Research Group (ACRG) 10-Point High Probability Trading (HPT) System

At ACRG, we utilize our proprietary High Probability Trading (HPT) system to analyze and predict the best Pokémon card investments. This system evaluates key factors that drive demand, rarity, and market potential, with each factor weighted according to its influence on future performance. To ensure the most accurate predictions, we combine this analysis with AI and machine learning tools to calculate our weighted average price predictions.

While the following 10 factors form the foundation of our system, they represent only part of the process. The real power lies in how we apply a proprietary weighted average system, using advanced algorithms to compile and refine this data for the most accurate price forecasts in the industry. We focus on giving you reliable, actionable recommendations based on a detailed and sophisticated approach that goes far beyond traditional card valuation.

1. Pokémon Popularity

Why It Matters:

• We analyze the long-term popularity of the Pokémon featured on the card, using global fan surveys, social media trends, and collector behavior. Cards featuring the most iconic and beloved Pokémon, such as Charizard, Pikachu, or Umbreon, tend to have stronger and more sustained demand. The more universally recognized the Pokémon, the higher the investment potential.

2. Artwork and Design Quality

Why It Matters:

• We assess the artistic quality of the card, evaluating design elements, color schemes, and overall aesthetic appeal. Additionally, we gather sentiment from collector and fan communities—monitoring forums like Reddit, Discord, and social media platforms—to gauge how the artwork resonates with collectors. Cards with highly praised artwork or unique artistic styles often attract more demand, making them more valuable.

3. Rarity and PSA Population

Why It Matters:

• The rarity of a card significantly impacts its value. We evaluate the rarity type (e.g., secret rares, alternate arts, or holographic cards) and analyze PSA population reports to assess the card’s scarcity. Cards with limited print runs or lower PSA populations tend to increase in value over time, especially when their supply becomes constrained.

4. Card Momentum and Sales Trends

Why It Matters:

• We track the historical pricing data of each card, analyzing how its price has evolved over time and forecasting its future trajectory. We also monitor sales volume to determine whether the card’s demand is growing or stabilizing. Cards showing strong price increases and healthy sales volume have a better chance of continued appreciation.

5. Competitive Playability

Why It Matters:

• For cards used in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), playability is a key driver of demand. We evaluate whether the card is actively used in the competitive TCG scene and whether it holds lasting relevance. While cards that perform well in tournaments have short-term demand, their long-term value is influenced by how relevant they remain within the competitive landscape.

6. Milestone and Special Releases

Why It Matters:

• We examine whether the card is part of a significant set release or a milestone celebration (e.g., 25th Anniversary sets). Cards associated with key events often see increased collector interest and value, especially those tied to nostalgia or special releases. These cards typically perform well long after their initial release due to the heightened fanfare surrounding them.

7. Community Sentiment & Social Buzz

Why It Matters:

• Sentiment analysis from online communities plays a significant role in determining a card's popularity. We gather insights from various online platforms, including Reddit, Discord, and Twitter, to assess how the community feels about the card. Influencer hype and social media buzz are also key factors, as cards that are featured prominently by influencers or discussed heavily in forums tend to see increased demand.

8. Historical Market Trends

Why It Matters:

• We analyze the historical pricing patterns of similar cards, Pokémon sets, and artwork to understand their long-term market trajectory. Past performance often serves as a reliable indicator of how a card will appreciate over time. Cards with a history of consistent growth are more likely to continue increasing in value.

9. Predictive Analytics & AI Modeling

Why It Matters:

• Our system incorporates predictive modeling using advanced AI and machine learning algorithms. These models take into account market volatility, future growth forecasts, and external factors that may influence the card's price. By analyzing vast amounts of data, we can predict potential price movements with a higher degree of accuracy, helping you make informed investment decisions.

10. Grading Trends and PSA Supply

Why It Matters:

• The condition of a card, measured by PSA grading, is crucial to its value. We track PSA submission trends to gauge whether the supply of high-graded cards is increasing or decreasing. Cards with limited high-grade availability are more likely to see increased value over time, especially if their demand remains strong.

Conclusion: Why Our HPT System Works

Our HPT system combines thorough analysis of 10 key factors with proprietary data modeling to provide you with reliable, actionable insights. By evaluating each card using these critical metrics and weighing them according to their impact on long-term growth, we give you a data-backed roadmap to successful Pokémon card investments.

Through our unique blend of market analysis, sentiment tracking, and AI modeling, we ensure that our recommendations are rooted in real data and are positioned for long-term profitability.

Our Vision

At ACRG, we believe Pokémon is more than just a hobby—it’s a dynamic, thriving investment opportunity. Our goal is to redefine the collectible card market by offering professional-grade insights and strategies, making Pokémon cards a valuable part of your investment portfolio.

Whether you’re an experienced collector or new to the market, ACRG is here to guide you through every step of your investment journey. Together, let’s build a portfolio that doesn’t just hold value—it creates it.

Optimal Time Frame for Price Targets

12 to 24 Months – The Sweet Spot:

• Market Stabilization: After a set releases, there is usually a period of hype and price volatility. Within the first 6 months, prices can fluctuate widely, often driven by early market trends, influencers, and the excitement of a new release. After this initial period, the market typically stabilizes. The 6-12 months range allows for the market to settle into a more predictable pattern, and cards that maintain demand can continue appreciating.

• Growth in Demand: By 12 to 18 months, a card's true demand often reveals itself. Cards like Charizard, Umbreon, and other high-demand Pokémon will solidify their value, especially if they are rare or come from sets with fewer print runs or are tied to nostalgic milestones.

• Natural Price Increase: Historically, cards tend to grow in value after 12 months, especially if they remain relevant in competitive play or are part of sets with long-term collector interest. By 18 to 24 months, most cards that will see significant increases in price have done so, as the hype has usually settled, and collectors focus on long-term value.

Why 12 to 24 Months Makes Sense:

• Investment Cycles: Historically, Pokémon cards often take 1–2 years to reach a price peak for that cycle, especially when considering factors like rarity, card population, and playability.

• Supply vs. Demand Dynamics: In this period, the supply of the card starts to diminish as fewer copies are available for sale (due to buyouts, hoarding, etc.), and the demand for key cards (like Charizard, Umbreon, etc.) generally continues to grow as collectors seek out rare cards.

• Economic and Market Factors: Factors like reprints, anniversaries, and new set releases can also significantly affect a card's price. A 1–2 year time frame captures any market-wide fluctuations that could either artificially inflate or suppress card prices.

Considerations for Setting Your Price Targets:

• Set Release and Hype Cycles: It’s important to remember that cards from highly anticipated sets (like Pokémon 151 or anniversary sets) may peak sooner due to hype, but they will often plateau after about 6-9 months. However, they might see renewed growth after 18 months due to increased collector interest or anniversaries.

• Scarcity and Print Runs: Cards from sets with lower print runs or limited edition releases (like Alternate Arts, Illustration Rares, etc.) may take longer to hit peak prices, as their scarcity becomes more apparent after people realize how few are left.

Summary of Time Frame Recommendation:

• Ideal Time Frame for Price Target: 12 to 24 months after release.

• 12 months: Good for cards with high demand and significant early market traction.

• 18 months: Allows time for market consolidation and ensures that the card’s value aligns with collector sentiment and rarity.

• 24 months: Provides the best data for cards that need more time to appreciate, especially if their rise in value is tied to nostalgia or long-term collector interest.

Historical Trends for Card Price Peaks:

• Competitive Play and Market Influence: Cards that are heavily used in competitive play (e.g., Lugia V, Arceus VSTAR, etc.) will often peak faster, within 6-12 months of release, as players seek out the best cards for tournaments. However, collector cards (e.g., Charizard, Moonbreon) typically take 12-18 months to reach their full market value.

• Best Strategy for Price Targets: Target a 12–24 month horizon for most cards, allowing for both early price appreciation and longer-term growth potential. By setting price targets for 12 months, you capture the initial post-hype growth and can adjust based on market conditions as needed, while 24 months allows for a more stable and higher confidence in hitting higher-tier growth targets (100%+ or 150%+ returns).