Logan Paul Sets New Record With Sale of Rare Pokémon Card

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-02-17Last updated on 2026-02-17

Abstract

Logan Paul has sold his rare Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card for a record-breaking $16.49 million at an auction hosted by Goldin. The card, graded PSA 10 in flawless condition, is one of only 39 originally printed in 1998. Paul initially purchased it in 2021 for $5.275 million. The buyer was venture capitalist A.J. Scaramucci. The sale sets a new record for the highest price paid for any trading card and highlights the growing investment interest in rare physical collectibles.

YouTube personality and entertainer Logan Paul has broken the record by selling his rare Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card for a staggering $16.49 million at an auction. The online auction house Goldin hosted the event after a 42-day bidding process that garnered huge interest. The rare card, graded PSA 10 with flawless condition, is said to be the only one in perfect condition. Only 39 Pikachu Illustrator cards were originally printed as prizes for an art contest in Japan in 1998.

Logan Paul initially bought the card in 2021 for a record-breaking price of $5.275 million. The recent record-breaking sale broke the previous record by more than three times the initial cost of the card. A representative from Guinness World Records was also present during the event to verify the record. The winner of the card with the highest bid was the buyer, venture capitalist A.J. Scaramucci. Scaramucci accepted the card at the closing ceremony of the auction, accompanied by a gold and diamond pendant display case. Paul also broadcast the final minutes of the auction to his social media followers.

Paul hailed the sale as a significant achievement in the collectibles industry. The PSA 10 grading indicates perfect edges, complete gloss, and optimal centering on the card. The designer of the trading card, Atsuko Nishida, first illustrated Pikachu for the Japanese magazine CoroCoro Comic.

Paul famously carried the card in a diamond-encrusted case to WrestleMania 38 in 2022. The Pikachu Illustrator card is among the most sought-after trading cards in TCG history, according to collectors. The sale also set a record for the highest price paid for any trading card at auction. Such record-breaking sales can significantly impact the value of rare trading cards globally.

Market Impact and Collectibles Momentum

The rapid appreciation of rare physical collectibles reflects the rising investment appetite for physical nostalgia assets. The premium collectibles auction market has experienced rising participation from hedge funds, institutional buyers, and individual investors.

The relative rarity and condition grading of rare cards create a massive price appreciation gap between them and common cards. High-profile sales generate mainstream publicity, which can boost other asset classes by comparison. Auction houses can leverage record-breaking sales such as this to increase fundraising opportunities.

Highlighted Crypto News:

Trezor and Ledger Users Targeted by Fraudulent Physical Mail Scams

Lightning Fast Five-Whip Combo! Strategy's Self-Rescue Plan Officially Released

Strategy, amidst the STRC de-pegging crisis, has unveiled its "Digital Credit Capital Framework" self-rescue plan. The five-part framework includes: 1) **Cash Reserves**: Management of ~$2.55B in USD reserves, dedicated solely to covering ~17.4 months of preferred stock dividends and debt interest, with a 12-month minimum coverage floor. 2) **Dividend Policy**: STRC's dividend yield rises to 12% from July 1st, with monthly reviews. Strategy clarifies de-pegging does not automatically trigger further hikes. 3) **Preferred Stock Buyback**: A $1B authorization, prioritizing STRC repurchases to support its price, reduce future dividend obligations, and signal commitment, using funds separate from dividend reserves. 4) **Common Stock Buyback**: A separate $1B authorization for MSTR stock, aimed at creating shareholder value when the stock is deemed undervalued, establishing a two-way capital management mechanism. 5) **Bitcoin Monetization**: Formal authorization to sell BTC (up to $1.25B earmarked) to build USD reserves, cover dividends/interest, or fund buybacks, marking a strategic shift where BTC becomes a managed asset rather than a strictly "hold-only" reserve. Market reaction saw MSTR and STRC shares rise pre-market, while BTC remained stable. The plan aims to restore confidence in STRC, ensure dividend sustainability, and reopen Strategy's funding channels.

Odaily星球日报31m ago

Lightning Fast Five-Whip Combo! Strategy's Self-Rescue Plan Officially Released

Odaily星球日报31m ago

The Sword of Damocles Over the AI Bull Market: Not Just in South Korea, Leverage in U.S. Stocks Is Equally Staggering

Global equity markets are hitting new highs driven by the AI boom, but the fuel behind this rally is becoming increasingly dangerous. From the US to South Korea, margin debt and leveraged ETF assets have soared to historical extremes, with their pro-cyclical nature amplifying tail risks in market volatility. In the US, margin debt rose 54% year-over-year in May, reaching a record $1.4 trillion. Simultaneously, leveraged ETF assets nearly doubled in under 70 days to over $220 billion by early June, with intense focus on tech, semiconductor indices, and single stocks like NVIDIA and Tesla. A warning sign appeared in South Korea, where the KOSPI index experienced extreme volatility, plunging 10% to trigger a circuit breaker, then sharply rebounding before halting again, partly driven by concentrated, highly leveraged positions in chip stocks. Analysts are raising alarms. Barclays warns that leveraged funds have accumulated roughly $300 billion in equity-linked derivatives since late March, creating a major source of non-discretionary risk. Morgan Stanley notes an unprecedented reliance on leveraged financing by marginal buyers, with financing becoming more expensive and scarce. Charles Schwab has tightened margin requirements. The core risk lies in the mechanics: leveraged ETFs and derivatives can create a "tail wags the dog" effect, where fund flows force market makers to buy underlying stocks, amplifying gains. This process reverses in a downturn, triggering a self-reinforcing selling spiral as funds deleverage. Additionally, the cost of borrowing to buy stocks has spiked to multi-year highs. Morgan Stanley warns this sets up a nonlinear risk: high financing costs stall momentum, a price decline triggers forced deleveraging, and selling pressure is multiplied by leverage, potentially leading to outsized declines. The current market breadth is narrow, with gains heavily concentrated in tech, making the rally vulnerable to a pullback in leveraged positions. In summary, the AI-fueled bull market is increasingly propped up by record leverage. When this trend reverses, the deleveraging process could magnify losses, posing a significant threat to financial stability.

marsbit40m ago

The Sword of Damocles Over the AI Bull Market: Not Just in South Korea, Leverage in U.S. Stocks Is Equally Staggering

marsbit40m ago

Solana targets $80 next – 3 factors helping SOL bulls sustain this rally

Solana (SOL) has demonstrated strong bullish momentum, defending the $70 support level and climbing to a local high of $73, currently trading near $72 with a 2.6% daily gain and a 39% surge in trading volume. Technical analysis reveals SOL holding above its 9-day and 21-day Moving Averages, with its Stochastic Momentum Index (SMI) showing a bullish crossover and trending upward, indicating strengthening short-term momentum. A key driver appears to be a shift in whale sentiment, with data showing concentrated large buy orders around $70-$71 and consistent negative exchange netflows, signaling accumulation. This combination of technical strength and whale demand suggests SOL could target the $80 resistance if buying pressure continues. However, a weakening in whale demand could see a retest below $70, with $62 as the next major support level.

ambcrypto44m ago

Solana targets $80 next – 3 factors helping SOL bulls sustain this rally

ambcrypto44m ago

Strategy Launches 'Digital Credit Capital Framework': Authorizes Sale of $12 Billion in Bitcoin, Ending the 'Never Sell' Script

Strategic, the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin (formerly MicroStrategy), has dramatically shifted its long-standing “never sell Bitcoin” strategy by announcing a new “Digital Credit Capital Framework” on June 29. This plan authorizes the sale of up to $1.25 billion worth of Bitcoin to raise cash, establishes a $2.55 billion USD reserve, increases the dividend rate on its STRG preferred shares to 12%, and authorizes up to $1 billion each for repurchases of its own digital credit securities and Class A common stock. This pivot comes amid severe financial pressure. The company’s STRG preferred shares are trading at a ~24% discount to their $100 face value, making new issuances difficult and stalling its buy-Bitcoin funding flywheel. Its annualized dividend obligation has surged to ~$1.2 billion. Meanwhile, its MSTR stock has plummeted 36% in eight days, erasing its traditional premium over its Bitcoin holdings per share. In recent weeks, Strategic has already shifted focus from accumulating Bitcoin to bolstering cash reserves by selling its own MSTR shares. The new framework formalizes this defensive turn, aiming to ensure liquidity, cover dividends, and support its securities prices through buybacks. However, the move risks triggering a “death spiral” if Bitcoin sales pressure the market, further devaluing the company’s core asset. The company also faces a potential securities investigation and carries significant debt, with Bitcoin’s current price below its average acquisition cost.

marsbit46m ago

Strategy Launches 'Digital Credit Capital Framework': Authorizes Sale of $12 Billion in Bitcoin, Ending the 'Never Sell' Script

marsbit46m ago

Vitalik Buterin Says Obfuscation Could Boost Blockchain Privacy

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin published an article exploring how cryptographic obfuscation could enhance blockchain privacy and security. Obfuscation protects the code of a program itself, making it unreadable while allowing it to function normally, unlike encryption which secures data. Buterin explained that combining obfuscation with blockchain's inherent ability to record ownership could create systems where user privacy is maintained and reliance on central authorities is reduced, enabling secure payments, finance apps, and confidential operations. However, major technical hurdles remain. While research in "indistinguishability obfuscation" has proven it theoretically possible, current implementations are extremely inefficient, with some methods taking impractically long times to execute. Scientists are working on optimizing cryptographic methods and mathematical tools to improve efficiency. Buterin concluded that practical, widely usable obfuscation will take considerable time to develop, but eventual progress could lead to highly secure blockchain products that operate without trusted third parties.

TheNewsCrypto48m ago

Vitalik Buterin Says Obfuscation Could Boost Blockchain Privacy

TheNewsCrypto48m ago

Trading

Spot

Logan Paul Sets New Record With Sale of Rare Pokémon Card

Abstract

Market Impact and Collectibles Momentum

Related Questions

Related Reads