YouTube personality and wrestler Logan Paul has shattered the Guinness World Record after his ultra-rare Pokémon trading card sold for a staggering $16.49 million (£12 million) at auction. The sale of the Pikachu Illustrator card, which concluded on Monday 16 February 2026, now stands as the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction.
From $5 Million Purchase to $16 Million Sale
Paul originally acquired the card five years ago for $5.27 million (£3.86 million), meaning the 30-year-old internet star has made an estimated $8 million profit on the transaction. During the final hours of the 42-day auction, Paul watched the bidding unfold via a livestream on his YouTube channel, which boasts over 23.6 million subscribers.
The card's value skyrocketed in the closing minutes, jumping from $6.88 million to the final $16.49 million figure as last-minute bidders drove the price to unprecedented levels. "Oh my gosh, this is crazy," Paul exclaimed when the sale was finalized.
A Card of Exceptional Rarity and Condition
The Pikachu Illustrator card is one of only 39 ever created, originally produced in the late 1990s. Auctioneer Ken Goldin explained that what made Paul's specific card so valuable was its pristine, unblemished condition, which earned it a perfect Grade 10 rating from professional graders.
Paul sold the card while it was encased in a diamond-encrusted necklace that he famously wore during his WWE debut at WrestleMania 38 in 2022. The YouTube star has promised to personally deliver the card to the highest bidder by hand.
Pokémon Card Market Soars to New Heights
The record-breaking sale highlights how rare Pokémon trading cards have dramatically increased in value in recent years, becoming serious investment pieces alongside their nostalgic appeal. Before the auction concluded, Paul shared an emotional farewell message with his 26.8 million Instagram followers.
"Goodbye my friend. What a privilege it's been to be the owner of the greatest collectible in the world," Paul wrote. "From Guinness World Records to WWE debuts, Netflix to National News, this card and I have been on a generational run."
He added: "This sorta feels like that moment when you beat the Elite Four, get inducted into the Hall of Fame, and the game restarts. As this Grail changes hands, I'm excited to go on my next Pokémon journey."
The sale comes just hours after Paul's brother, Jake Paul, was reportedly brought to tears as his fiancée Jutta Leerdam won Olympic gold, though the Pokémon card auction represents a separate financial milestone for the Paul family.
