(C) NFT Evening

NEW YORK — A rare Pokémon card, famously purchased for $5.3 million by WWE star and YouTube personality Logan Paul, is headed to the auction block this coming January. Market experts and collectors are watching closely, with some predicting the final gavel price could soar as high as $12 million (approx. 15.6 billion KRW).

The "Holy Grail" of Collectibles
The item in question is the legendary "Pikachu Illustrator" card. Its prestige stems from its unique history; it was never sold in booster packs but was instead awarded to winners of an illustration contest hosted by the Japanese magazine CoroCoro Comic in 1998. Only 39 copies were originally distributed, making it one of the rarest artifacts in the TCG (Trading Card Game) world.

What sets Paul’s specific card apart is its condition. It is currently the only known copy to be graded a PSA Gem Mint 10—the highest possible rating for quality and preservation. In 2022, Paul was officially recognized by Guinness World Records for the most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at a private sale.

The Shift to "Alternative Assets"
The auction will be facilitated by Goldin Auctions, a premier marketplace for high-end collectibles. Ken Goldin, the founder of the firm, revealed in a recent episode of the Netflix series King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch that he provided Paul with a $2.5 million advance to secure the listing.

The auction is strategically timed for January 12, 2026, coinciding with the lead-up to Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. Goldin noted that the buying power of fans who grew up with the franchise has reached its peak, shifting interest away from traditional investments.

"The younger generation didn't grow up dreaming of massive fine art collections," Goldin stated. "We are seeing a massive surge in 'alternative asset classes' like high-end trading cards."

High Risk, High Reward
Logan Paul has been a vocal advocate for the investment potential of hobby items. In an interview with Fox News, Paul argued that non-traditional assets have outperformed the stock market over the last two decades. "Pokémon cards have seen returns of over 3,000%," Paul claimed, suggesting that younger investors are no longer tethered to stocks and real estate.

While the $5.3 million purchase was initially met with skepticism, Goldin previously offered Paul $7.5 million for the card, which Paul declined. If the card reaches the projected $12 million mark, it will not only double Paul's initial investment but also cement the status of trading cards as a legitimate, high-stakes financial asset.