Logan Paul made waves in the Pokemon card world back in 2021 when he dropped over 5 million dollars on a rare Pikachu Illustrator card, setting a Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokemon card sale ever.[1][2] That bold move kicked off a bigger trend where influencers like him started flexing high-end card buys on social media, pulling in millions of fans and new collectors who rushed to grab their own cards. Prices for top cards, especially Charizard holographics from the base set, spiked hard right after, with some jumping 50 percent or more in weeks as hype spread online.[1]
Before Paul, the market moved slower, mostly driven by quiet deals among serious collectors. His purchase changed that. By showing off the card everywhere from YouTube to Instagram, he turned Pokemon cards into a hot topic for young investors ditching stocks for something tangible and fun. He even wore it on a custom chain worth 75 grand, making it feel like a status symbol anyone could chase.[2] Suddenly, cards that sat steady for years saw bidding wars, proving one big name could pump values overnight.
Take Charizard as the prime example. Everyone knows that fiery dragon card from the first set. When influencers started hyping sealed boxes or high-grade versions, prices climbed fast. A first-edition Shadowless Charizard in PSA 10 condition, already rare, went from around 200 thousand dollars to breaking records above 400 thousand soon after waves of influencer buzz hit.[1] Paul’s style set the blueprint: buy iconic, ultra-rare stuff like his PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator, the only one known in gem mint shape out of just 39 ever printed, then let the spotlight do the work.[1][2]
Now, with Paul putting that same Pikachu card up for auction at Goldin in early 2026, the market buzz is back.[1][2] Collectors watch close because sales like this set real benchmarks for the top end. If it tops his old price, expect more influencers to jump in, chasing the next record. But Paul warns not every card holds up, so stick to the absolute best ones with tiny supply, like one-of-one graded perfects.[2]
This shift means influencers now steer prices more than auctions alone. A single video or post can flood the market with buyers, pushing everyday cards higher too. For PokemonPricing.com fans tracking values, watch who shouts out what next, because it could mean quick gains or overheat if the hype fades. High-profile buys like Paul’s remind us scarcity plus star power equals big swings in card prices.
