Rare Pikachu Card Fetches Historic $16.5 Million in Record-Breaking Auction

2026-02-17 general

New York, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Logan Paul sold the world’s only PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card for $16.5 million, effectively tripling his investment and setting a new benchmark for the collectibles market.

A Historic Valuation for Alternative Assets

In a transaction that redefines the ceiling for pop culture collectibles, internet personality Logan Paul has sold the world’s only PSA Grade 10 Pikachu Illustrator card for a record-breaking $16.5 million [1]. The sale, finalized at Goldin Auctions, saw the asset purchased by venture capitalist A.J. Scaramucci, son of financier Anthony Scaramucci [1][2]. This acquisition surpasses previous records for trading cards, validating the segment as a high-value alternative asset class [1]. The auction concluded after 41 days of bidding, with the final price encompassing the card, a custom case, and a diamond necklace worn by Paul during his WrestleMania 38 appearance in 2022 [1].

Analyzing the Return on Investment

From a financial perspective, the sale represents a massive appreciation in value over a relatively short holding period. Paul originally acquired the card in 2021 for $5.275 million, which itself set a Guinness World Record at the time [1][8]. By exiting the position at a reported precise figure of $16.492 million [7], Paul secured a gross profit of 11.217 million. This performance yields a return on investment (ROI) of 212.645 percent in under five years. Ken Goldin, the auction house founder, characterized the current Pokémon market as “blazing hot” and noted that this specific item is dominating the sector [3].

Scarcity and Condition Drive Value

The asset’s valuation is heavily predicated on its extreme scarcity and condition. The Pikachu Illustrator was originally designed by Atsuko Nishida for a 1998 contest in Japan, with only a few dozen copies believed to exist [1]. While PSA has graded 52 other copies of this card, Paul’s holding is the singular example to receive a “Gem Mint 10” rating, rendering it unique even among its peers [2]. Other grading services like Beckett have only awarded a high of “Mint 9” to similar cards [2]. This “1 of 1” status effectively cornered the market for high-end collectors seeking the pinnacle of the hobby.

Regulatory Context and Controversy

Despite the successful exit, the asset’s history is entangled with the collapse of the fractional ownership platform Liquid Marketplace. Paul, a co-founder and spokesperson for the platform, had listed the card for fractionalized sale in 2022, selling 51% of the ownership to investors for $2.55 million [8]. However, following allegations of fraud and the distribution of unregistered securities by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) against Liquid Marketplace in June 2024, Paul moved to repurchase the outstanding shares in May 2024 to consolidate ownership prior to this auction [8]. As of February 2026, the regulatory case against Liquid Marketplace remains active before Ontario’s Capital Markets Tribunal, though Paul has stated he had “no involvement or insight” into the alleged regulatory breaches [8].

Future Implications for the Buyer and Seller

The transaction signals continued liquidity and aggressive acquisition strategies within the high-net-worth collectibles market. A.J. Scaramucci has framed this purchase as merely the first step in a “planetary treasure hunt” [3]. Conversely, Paul has indicated that the capital released from this sale will be deployed toward purchasing other historical artifacts, specifically mentioning targets such as a T-Rex dinosaur fossil and the Declaration of Independence [3]. The sale confirms that despite broader economic fluctuations, demand for “Holy Grail” assets remains robust among specialized investors [1].

Sources

Alternative Investments Collectibles