Logan Paul finds himself at the center of another controversy, this time involving his cryptocurrency marketplace venture and a rare Pokemon card worth millions. The influencer, who co-founded Liquid Marketplace in 2022, is now distancing himself from the platform after users claim they cannot access their funds.
Liquid Marketplace operated on a fractional ownership model, allowing users to purchase digital shares of rare collectibles. According to Paul’s promotional materials, the platform would curate a collection of highly sought-after items where users can buy in to be a partial owner. The concept promised that when items sold, proceeds would be distributed among shareholders based on their ownership percentages.
The crown jewel of the platform was Paul’s Pikachu Illustrator card. In his April 2022 launch announcement, Paul stated:
“As a co-founder of Liquid Marketplace, I believe we’re set to level the playing field by allowing anyone to own a piece of the world’s rarest collectibles.”
He specifically highlighted a PSA 8 Pikachu Illustrator valued at $1.1 million.
However, inconsistencies have emerged. Paul’s recent statements reference a PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator, raising questions about whether the card’s grade changed or if different cards were involved. According to reports, Paul purchased a Pikachu Illustrator card in 2021 for $5.3 million and has now agreed to sell it at auction for the same amount.
The situation deteriorated when Paul announced in May 2024 that he had repurchased the card from the platform. In a recent statement, he claimed:
“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.”
Users report otherwise. Many claim they cannot access their buyout proceeds or withdraw wallet balances from the platform. The Liquid Marketplace website is no longer operational, leaving investors without recourse.
Paul attempted to distance himself from responsibility, stating the company faced regulatory scrutiny and claiming:
“a process in which I have had no involvement or insight as it does not relate to me.”
This claim drew immediate backlash, with users pointing to his promotional videos where he explicitly identified himself as co-founder.
The community added context notes to Paul’s posts, highlighting the contradiction between his current claims and his founding role. Critics note this pattern mirrors previous controversies involving the influencer’s business ventures.
Paul promised he is:
“actively working with Liquid Marketplace to help ensure those funds can be released in the near future.”
However, he provided no concrete timeline or details about how users will recover their investments. Meanwhile, the Pokemon card heads to auction, with Paul positioned to potentially profit from the sale while investors remain locked out of their accounts.
