The holiday week brought significant news for Pokémon card collectors weighing their next moves. Between a potential record-breaking auction, ongoing grading scandals, and surprise product announcements, the market is sending mixed signals heading into 2026.
The $12 Million Question
Logan Paul confirmed on Christmas Day that he plans to auction his PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card in early 2026—likely February. This isn’t just any card. It’s the only Pikachu Illustrator to ever receive PSA’s perfect grade, and Paul paid $5.3 million for it back in 2022. Estimates now put its value between $7 and $12 million.
For everyday collectors, this matters beyond the headline number. Fortune Magazine noted that Pokémon cards have appreciated 3,261 percent over two decades and climbed 46 percent in 2025 alone. That outpaces both Nvidia stock and the S&P 500 this year. Whether you’re holding vintage holos or modern chase cards, the asset class continues proving its staying power.
The auction will likely set a new ceiling for what collectors consider possible in this hobby. If it hits the high estimate, expect renewed mainstream attention and potential price ripples across premium graded cards.
Grading Trust Erodes Further
Here’s where things get complicated for buyers. The PSA Buyback Scandal that broke December 14 remains unresolved in the court of collector opinion. A collector submitted 30 identical cards that all came back as PSA 9. Later, those same certification numbers appeared in PSA’s inventory—upgraded to PSA 10. When re-examined, 11 of the 30 cards graded higher, a 36 percent discrepancy that PSA dismissed as an isolated incident.
Multiple dealers have publicly severed ties with PSA in response. For buyers, this raises uncomfortable questions about what a grade actually guarantees.
Compounding the uncertainty, Collectors Holdings acquired Beckett Grading Services in December, giving the company control of PSA, SGC, and BGS. That’s over 80 percent of all grading volume under one corporate umbrella. Congressman Pat Ryan has demanded an FTC antitrust investigation, leaving CGC as the only major independent option with roughly 18 percent market share.
What does this mean for your buying decisions? Consider diversifying which grading companies you trust. CGC-graded cards may see increased demand if collectors flee the PSA ecosystem. Raw card purchases from trusted sellers might also become more attractive if grading premiums start looking less reliable.
Surprise January Set Changes the Calendar
Collectors planning their 2026 budgets got a curveball this week. A surprise physical TCG expansion called Nihil Zero will release January 23 in Japan, slotting in before the already-announced Ascended Heroes set in February.
The approximately 80-card set features Mega Zygarde ex as its headliner—a 310 HP Basic Pokémon with a 200-damage attack. Other confirmed cards include Meowth ex, Binacle, and Barbaracle. For those tracking the international release calendar, this likely means an English version arriving in late spring.
This matters for budget planning. Two sets releasing within weeks of each other in Japan could strain collector wallets and potentially dilute demand for either product. If you’re selective about which sets to pursue, researching the full card lists once revealed will be essential.
TCG Pocket Floods the Market with Free Packs
The digital side of the hobby is throwing freebies at players. TCG Pocket’s Holiday 2025 Campaign runs through January 8, offering 120 Pack Hourglasses (equivalent to 10 booster packs) plus up to 36 additional hourglasses through event missions.
While this doesn’t directly affect physical card prices, TCG Pocket continues onboarding new collectors into the ecosystem. Some of those players inevitably cross over into physical collecting, supporting baseline demand.
What Smart Collectors Should Watch
The next few months will test the market’s resilience. Logan Paul’s auction will reveal whether ultra-high-end cards can still command premium growth. The grading industry’s consolidation and quality control issues will either stabilize or accelerate collector migration to alternatives like CGC.
For buying decisions right now, patience may be the wisest strategy. Let the grading dust settle before paying significant premiums for PSA 10 labels. Keep an eye on CGC population reports for cards you’re targeting. And budget carefully with two Japanese sets dropping in quick succession early next year.
The Pokémon card market isn’t slowing down—but it’s definitely getting more complicated.
