Logan Paul has officially sold his Pikachu Illustrator card for $16.5 million, setting a new world record.
But the story doesn’t stop there.
The sale has brought back questions about Liquid Marketplace, the platform that once sold shares of the card to the public.
Here’s what happened, and why some investors are still not happy.
- Logan Paul sold his PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator for $16.5M through Goldin Auctions
- It’s the only PSA 10 copy known to exist
- The card was previously split into fractional shares on Liquid Marketplace
- Some former investors say they were locked out or underpaid
- Logan Paul says he was not involved in the platform’s daily operations
The $16.5 Million Sale
On February 15, 2026, Logan Paul sold his Pikachu Illustrator card for $16,492,000 through Goldin Auctions.
The buyer was AJ Scaramucci, son of financier Anthony Scaramucci, and the final price instantly made headlines.
With that sale, the card officially became the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold.
What makes it even crazier is that Paul originally bought it in 2021 for $5.275 million, which was already a world record at the time.
So in just a few years, he turned it into a deal worth more than 3 times his original purchase price.
And it wasn’t just the card included in the sale.
The package also came with the $75,000 diamond-encrusted Pikachu pendant that Paul famously wore around his neck at WrestleMania 38.
At the end of the day, this wasn’t just another trading card auction.
It was the sale of the only PSA 10 (Gem Mint) Pikachu Illustrator known to exist, combined with Logan Paul’s brand power and years of hype.
That mix of extreme rarity and celebrity attention is what ultimately pushed the price to nearly $16.5 million.
Why Is the Pikachu Illustrator So Valuable?
To understand the $16.5 million price tag, you first need to understand how rare this card actually is.
The Pikachu Illustrator was never sold in stores like normal Pokémon cards.
It was originally given as a prize in a 1998 illustration contest in Japan, which already makes it extremely limited.
Only a small number were ever produced, and even fewer still exist today in good condition.
What makes Logan Paul’s copy special is that it’s the only PSA 10 (Gem Mint) Pikachu Illustrator known to exist.
PSA 10 is the highest possible grade, meaning the card is considered almost perfect.
In the world of collectors, being the only PSA 10 instantly puts it in a different category.
On top of that, the Pikachu Illustrator is often called the “Holy Grail” of Pokémon cards, because it’s seen as the rarest and most iconic card ever made.
Add to that Logan Paul’s fame, the media coverage, and years of hype around the card, and the value goes far beyond just cardboard.
What Happened to People Who Bought Shares on Liquid Marketplace?
Before the record sale, the card had been split into fractional shares on Liquid Marketplace, a platform Logan co-founded in 2022.
At the time, up to 51% of the card was supposed to be offered, but according to Paul, only 5.4% was actually sold for around $270,000 to fractional owners.
In May 2024, he says he bought the card back for the same price, and that funds were made available for users to withdraw.
However, things got messy when the platform later went offline due to what were described as operational and regulatory issues.
Some users claimed they were unable to access their accounts or withdraw their money, and accusations of a possible “rug pull” started circulating online.
Adding to the confusion, X’s Community Notes pushed back on parts of Paul’s explanation, pointing out that he previously referred to Liquid Marketplace as “my platform” and highlighting ongoing fraud allegations against the company from Canadian regulators.
So while Paul maintains that funds were available and that the shutdown was outside his control, not everyone agrees with that version of events.
The $16.5 million sale has now brought all of those unresolved questions back into the spotlight.
Logan Paul’s Response
After the sale, Logan Paul addressed the controversy on X and said the situation around Liquid Marketplace has been misunderstood.
He maintains that the buyback followed the original terms and that users were given time to withdraw their funds.
He also says the platform’s shutdown was outside of his control, and that he later helped restore access so withdrawals could continue.
But the critics and X Community Notes question how involved he really was, especially given his role as co-founder.
Paul denies any wrongdoing, but the debate hasn’t completely faded even after the record-breaking sale.
What This Means for Crypto Investors?
The $16.5 million sale proves how powerful hype, rarity, and celebrity can be in the collectibles world.
But the Liquid Marketplace situation also feels familiar to anyone who followed CryptoZoo.
In both cases, investors bought into a high-profile project linked to Logan Paul and later faced uncertainty about access to their money.
CryptoZoo holders eventually got a partial refund plan.
The big question now is simple: Will Liquid Marketplace users get a similar refund?
So far, there’s no official refund program like CryptoZoo had.
And until there is clear communication or resolution, some former fractional owners are still left waiting.
What do you think about the record sale?
Do you think fractional owners will eventually see their money back?
Let us know what you think in the comments.