Logan Paul Says Pokemon Cards Beat Traditional Finance Every Time
If you’re into Pokemon cards, you’ve probably heard the buzz about Logan Paul and his mega-rare Pikachu Illustrator card. Back in 2021, the YouTuber, wrestler, and entrepreneur dropped nearly $5.3 million on it in a private sale. That set a Guinness World Record for the priciest Pokemon card ever sold that way.[1][4] Now, he’s putting it up for auction through Goldin Auctions, and he’s already pocketed a $2.5 million advance from the deal.[4] The whole thing is even starring in the new season of Netflix’s King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch.[4]
Paul isn’t just flipping a card for fun. He’s making a big point about investing. He told Fortune that young people should look beyond stocks and bonds to stuff like Pokemon cards and sports memorabilia. “Don’t be afraid to take a risk,” he said. He compares it to hitting a lotto ticket, where culture drives the value faster than old-school finance catches up.[1][2] In his view, Pokemon cards prove that pop culture assets can outpace traditional markets because fans and nostalgia push prices sky-high.
Think about that Pikachu Illustrator. It’s one of the rarest cards out there, printed in super limited numbers back in the day as a promo prize in Japan. A perfect PSA 10 grade like Paul’s makes it priceless to collectors.[3][4] Paul bought it when the Pokemon boom was exploding, thanks to social media hype and shows like his own content. Now, with interest in collectibles still growing, he says the timing is perfect to sell.[4]
This fits right into what collectors see worldwide. In Israel, top collector Dor says cards like the First Edition Charizard from 1999 can go from $12,000 in near-mint to $400,000 in PSA 10 condition.[3] Kids there trade like stock pros, and adults build fortunes on rarity plus cultural pull.[3] Paul echoes that: hype from stars like him brings eyes, but real value sticks because these are physical items you can hold, not digital fads that vanish.[3]
Paul’s move shows Pokemon cards aren’t just kid stuff anymore. They’re assets where culture leads and finance follows. Apps like Whatnot are cashing in too, raising $150 million to sell rare cards live, with backers including Paul himself.[5] For buyers on sites like PokemonPricing.com, this means watching trends close. A card’s price can rocket on celebrity news or grading scores, turning a hobby into real money. Paul’s auction could set new records and remind everyone why nontraditional picks like these keep pulling ahead.
