Head of Tron exchange buys artwork with bitcoins

Justin Sun, the founder of the Tron cryptocurrency exchange, purchased the artwork "Comedian" by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan at auction for $6.2 million, paying for the lot in cryptocurrency. This is reported by the RNZ portal.

Maurizio Cattelan's artwork—a banana taped to a wall with duct tape—was sold at a Sotheby's auction in New York. The starting price was estimated at $1.5 million. Seven bidders competed for the right to buy the artwork, but ultimately it was Justin Sun who acquired it, placing his bid over the phone.

"This is not just a piece of art. It is a cultural phenomenon that unites the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community. I believe this work will inspire people to think and become a part of history. It is a great honor for me to be the owner of this iconic piece. I look forward to its impact on many art lovers around the world," Sun stated.

The artwork was first unveiled five years ago.