The $2.5 Million Advance & The "Frozen" Buyout: Why The Logan Paul Pikachu Drama Has Returned

The PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator is officially heading to auction on January 12, 2026, via Goldin Auctions. But the conversation isn't just about the potential record-breaking price tag—it’s about the messy situation with Liquid Marketplace and the investors who originally bought into the card.

With new statements dropping and reports flying around, here is a breakdown of the facts as they stand right now. 👇

1. Why This Is Trending Now 📈

This story has resurfaced for two main reasons this week:

• The Auction Date: It is confirmed that the card will be sold on January 12th.

• The Netflix Context: Season 3 of King of Collectibles (released Dec 23) features the behind-the-scenes negotiation of this consignment, bringing the card back into the mainstream spotlight.

Reports have also emerged suggesting that Logan Paul received a $2.5 million advance to secure the consignment, which has added extra heat to the discussion regarding who currently profits from the card.

2. Logan Paul’s Official Statement 📝

To address the backlash, Logan Paul released a specific statement this week to clarify his position. He claims that he is not "stealing" the card, but rather that he already bought the investors out months ago.

Here is what he said regarding the buyout:

"In May 2024, consistent with the platform's terms, I repurchased the card. I paid a substantial buyout amount to the platform, which was intended to be distributed to fractional owners based on their respective percentages. I was informed at the time that the funds had been distributed accordingly."

On the frozen funds and regulatory issues:

"Unfortunately, afterward, the company and some of its principals faced regulatory scrutiny — a process in which I have had no involvement or insight, as it does not relate to me... I recently learned that the platform also experienced operational issues... As a result, many Liquid Marketplace users have been unable to access their buyout proceeds."

He concluded by stating he is "actively working with Liquid Marketplace to help ensure these funds can be released."

3. The Friction: The "Community Note" & The Freeze ❄️

While Logan’s statement attempts to clear the air, two major issues are keeping the community frustrated.

The "Involvement" Comment: In his statement, Paul noted he had "no involvement or insight" into the regulatory scrutiny facing the company.

• The Backlash: This drew sharp criticism (and a Community Note on X) because Logan Paul was a visible Co-Founder of Liquid Marketplace. The community is finding it hard to accept that a founder would have "no insight" into his own company's regulatory collapse.

The Reality of the Funds: Regardless of whether Logan "paid" the buyout in May, the reality for the investors is that Liquid Marketplace is effectively frozen.

• The Result: The physical asset is moving forward to a lucrative auction (potentially netting Paul a massive profit), while the investors' capital remains stuck in limbo on a broken platform.

The Bottom Line

It is important to note that this is still a developing story.

If Logan Paul’s statement is accurate, he may have legally attempted to make the investors whole back in May. However, until the regulatory freeze on Liquid Marketplace is lifted and users actually see cash in their accounts, the tension isn't going away.

For now, the card heads to the auction block in January, while the investors wait for news on their funds.