Logan Paul’s $5 Million Pokémon Card Purchase Ignites Record-Breaking Trading Card Boom

Logan Paul’s record-breaking Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card has officially changed hands for an astonishing $16,492,000, tripling the YouTuber-turned-WWE star’s original 2021 purchase price of $5.275 million. RAREST POKÉMON CARD HITS A NEW HIGH Only one Pikachu Illustrator has ever earned a PSA 10 “gem-mint” grade, making it the hobby’s undisputed crown jewel. Collectors fought through 48 bids in Goldin’s 40-day auction before the hammer fell, with buyer’s premium pushing the final figure past $16.4 million. LOGAN PAUL’S THREE-YEAR SAGA • April 2021: Paul acquires the card for $5.275 million, earning a Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon purchase. • April 2022: Debuts the card at WWE WrestleMania 38, suspended in a custom diamond-studded necklace. • May 2024: Buys back fractional shares from Liquid Marketplace, regaining full ownership. • Feb 2026: Re-encases the card in a new 2026 PSA holder for added anti-counterfeit tech and preservation. • 15 Feb 2026: Launches final auction livestream, promising to hand-deliver the card to the winner. • 16 Feb 2026: Sale closes at $16.492 million. WHY THE PRICE SKYROCKETED 1. Scarcity: Only 39 Pikachu Illustrator promos were awarded in Japan’s 1998 CoroCoro contest; this is the sole PSA 10. 2. Pop-culture exposure: Paul’s WrestleMania appearance mainstreamed the card to millions of non-collectors. 3. Fresh PSA slab: Regrading confirmed perfect condition, reassuring bidders. 4. Utility as a trophy asset: High-net-worth buyers seek iconic pop artifacts with proven resale strength. WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CARD Paul will personally fly the slab, necklace display, and a custom protective case to the winning bidder. Goldin expects the piece to anchor a private media reveal before moving into a museum-grade vault. MARKET IMPACT • Sets a new world record for any Pokémon TCG item. • Raises the ceiling for other top-tier grails such as 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard PSA 10. • Signals sustained collector demand despite broader trading-card market cooling in late 2025. FAQ SNAPSHOT Q: How much is Logan Paul’s Pikachu Illustrator worth now? A: $16.492 million, the highest price ever paid for a Pokémon card. Q: Why is the Pikachu Illustrator so valuable? A: Fewer than 40 exist, and this is the lone perfect-grade copy, coupled with massive mainstream visibility. Q: Who bought the card? A: Goldin keeps the buyer confidential, but Paul confirmed he will hand-deliver it in person. BOTTOM LINE The sale cements Logan Paul’s Pikachu Illustrator as not just a trading card but a modern cultural artifact—one whose legend, and price tag, continue to evolve long after leaving its famous owner’s neck.