YouTube star and internet personality Logan Paul has set a new world record after selling his PSA 10-graded Pikachu Illustrator Pokemon card for $16,492,000 at auction. The sale, which concluded on February 15, 2026 through Goldin Auctions, marks the highest price ever paid for a Pokemon card at auction and the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction in history.
The Card That Became a World Record Holder
The Pikachu Illustrator is widely regarded as one of the rarest and most sought-after Pokemon cards in existence. Logan Paul first acquired the PSA 10-graded version in 2021, paying $5.275 million for it. That purchase involved trading in his previous PSA 9 copy of the card along with $4 million in cash.
In the years since, the card became closely associated with Logan Paul’s public persona. He famously wore it around his neck during his entrance at WWE’s WrestleMania 38 in 2022, bringing the card to a global audience far beyond the Pokemon collecting community.
How the Auction Unfolded
Logan Paul announced the decision to sell the Pikachu Illustrator card as part of his plans heading into 2026. As part of his arrangement with Goldin Auctions, he received a $2.5 million advance prior to the sale, money he stated he used toward his wedding and several other major personal expenses.
Reports of bids reaching upwards of $12 million circulated before the auction concluded. The final hammer price came in at $16,492,000, generating more than $8 million in profit for Logan Paul after auctioneer fees were factored in. He described the outcome as “crazy” once the sale was finalized.
The auction event also featured expensive first edition Pokemon card pack openings, with buyers having paid approximately $40,000 each for the packs.
A New Record, Replacing an Iconic Sports Card
The $16.4 million sale replaced the previous world record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction. That record had been held by a one-of-one Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant Dual Logoman Autographs card, which sold for $12,932,000. Unlike the PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator, that sports card carried only a PSA 6 grade at the time of its sale.
Meet the Buyer: A.J. Scaramucci
The winning bidder was identified as A.J. Scaramucci, a venture capitalist. Speaking directly to Logan Paul and Goldin Auctions auctioneer Ken Goldin after the sale, Scaramucci revealed that the Pikachu Illustrator is just the first acquisition in what he described as a personal “treasure hunt” of rare and historically significant items.
“A T-Rex dinosaur fossil, that’s on my list. I’m going to buy the Declaration of Independence, and I’m not stopping there. This was only the beginning,” Scaramucci said.
He also noted a personal connection to the franchise behind the card, stating: “We have been fans of Pokemon since we were kids. This was the right way to start the treasure hunt.”
Controversy Surrounding the Sale
While the record-breaking sale drew widespread attention, Logan Paul has faced criticism in connection with it. The controversy stems from his decision to sell stakes in the Pikachu Illustrator card through a platform called Liquid Marketplace prior to the auction, a move that drew backlash from those who had purchased those stakes.