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From Digital Dares to Diamond Chains: Logan Paul’s Pokémon Play Pays Off Big
In a world where status symbols can be anything from crypto to high-end handbags, Gen Z investors are charting new territory, and sometimes, even new careers. Take Logan Paul, for instance. The YouTuber-turned-social-media-mogul just turned a single Pokémon card into a cool $16 million, proving that a passion project can sometimes be the ultimate power play.
Back in 2022, Paul made headlines by dropping a staggering $5.3 million on an ultra-rare Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card. This wasn’t just any card; it was the most expensive ever sold in a private sale at the time.
But Paul didn’t tuck it away in a safe. Oh no.
He famously sported the card, encased in a diamond-studded chain, to major events, including his WWE wrestling appearances. It was a masterstroke of personal branding, transforming a niche collectible into a piece of performance art.
And on Sunday night, that audacious gamble paid off spectacularly. Paul sold the card at auction for an eye-watering $16,492,000, buyer’s fees included.
This sale shattered records, making it the most expensive trading card ever sold. The lucky buyer?
Venture capitalist AJ Scaramucci, son of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci.
This princely sum represents a nearly 212% return on Paul’s initial investment, but for Paul, it’s more than just money – it’s vindication. “We’re in an interesting time where everyone wants to critique, but no one wants to build,” Paul shared last month, ahead of the sale. “They all are just armchair quarterbacks yelling from the sidelines while there are doers out there who are creating, making, building, establishing, and I am that person.”
Logan and his brother Jake have been on a mission for years to shed their image as prank-loving YouTubers and establish themselves as serious entrepreneurs and investors. They now collaborate in the venture capital space, each boasting a nine-figure net worth.
Pokémon Power: Cards Outpace Even Nvidia
Paul isn’t alone in recognizing the burgeoning value of Pokémon cards. For three decades, the franchise’s trading cards have captivated generations of fans, especially with their exponential increase in value in recent years. While sports cards have their own storied collector’s value, Pokémon cards have shown the largest long-term growth of any trading card category, surging over 3,200% in the last two decades, according to Card Ladder.
In just the past three months, Pokémon card values have rocketed by nearly 25%, easily outperforming traditional hot stocks like Nvidia. This recent surge undoubtedly boosted Paul’s sale, as he had initially hoped his Pikachu card would fetch between $7 million and $12 million – millions less than its actual selling price.
Even seasoned investors are taking note. Gary Vaynerchuk, known as Gary “Vee,” has long championed collectibles as undervalued assets, comparing the opportunity in trading cards to his early conviction in social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter back in 2005.
“Of course, there’s a lot to learn, and there’s risk as with any investment,” Vaynerchuk wrote at the time. “However, the joy I’ve felt investing in cards is so remarkable.
I feel as confident in cards as I did while betting my professional life on social media back in 2005… As always, there will be dips, but I am excited about what’s ahead. The macro opportunity is clear.”
Paul’s Message to Gen Z: Get Building
While Paul’s success might inspire dreams of trading card riches, he’s not telling young investors to ditch their 401(k)s. Instead, his core message is about channeling passion into profit.
“If you’re into something, and you’re passionate about it, there’s a market for it,” Paul affirmed. “And you can build around it as long as you lean into it.”
This mindset is particularly crucial for Gen Z, who are navigating an economy and job market dramatically reshaped by AI and other technological innovations. “If you don’t adapt, you die,” Paul added.
“You’ve got to be able to change with the times and use the technology at your fingertips. And there’s plenty nowadays to accomplish the things that you want.”