When Logan Paul tells you to take investment risks, he's not exactly talking about index funds. The YouTuber-turned-WWE-wrestler appeared on Fox Business's "The Big Money Show" this week wearing his $5.3 million Pokémon card around his neck—mounted in a $75,000 diamond-studded custom necklace, naturally—and encouraging Gen Z to think beyond stocks.
The card in question is a PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator, the only one in existence with a perfect 10/10 grade from Professional Sports Authenticator. Only a few dozen copies exist worldwide, but Paul owns the crown jewel. He bought it for a record $5.3 million back in 2022, and now it's headed to public auction in February 2026.
Betting on Cardboard
Paul hasn't said what price he's hoping for at auction, but the prediction market Polymarket is filling in the blanks. As of 4:30 AM ET on Friday, traders on the platform are assigning roughly 90% odds that the card sells for more than $4 million, and about 86% odds it tops $5 million. The probabilities drop off as the price thresholds climb higher, but the market seems confident Paul won't take a loss.
During the interview, Paul claimed that Pokémon as an asset class has "outperformed the stock market by upwards of 3000% in the last 20 years." His advice to young investors? "If you have the money, don't be afraid to take a risk, especially if you're young." He did add a caveat, though, suggesting caution about where money gets invested and being ready to "trade out of it" if things look shaky.
The Appeal of Alternative Assets
Paul's pitch lands at an interesting moment. Younger generations are increasingly parking money in collectibles, memorabilia, and other nontraditional stores of value—partly because they feel priced out of homes and traditional markets. Alternative investments span everything from cryptocurrencies to vintage cars and artworks, but high-dollar items like rare trading cards come with their own set of problems.
Counterfeiting is rampant in the collectibles world. Even experienced appraisers can miss subtle forgery signs, leaving buyers stuck with worthless copies. Paul himself learned this lesson the hard way: in a January 2022 video, he revealed he'd lost $3.5 million on counterfeit cards, though he was later reimbursed.
So yes, Pokémon cards might outperform your 401(k). But you'll want to make sure yours are real first.
