Crypto entrepreneur eats duct-taped banana artwork bought for $6.2 million: 'It's much better...'

Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun made headlines again, this time for a rather unconventional performance. Last week, Sun purchased Maurizio Cattelan’s iconic banana duct-taped to a wall artwork, Comedian, for a staggering $6.2 million at a Sotheby's auction. True to his eccentric style, Sun decided to consume the physical component of the artwork during a press conference in Hong Kong.

The banana, a recurring element in the artwork, is replaced periodically. Sun purchased the rights to display the installation, along with a guide on how to replace the fruit. This is not the first time the banana has been eaten. In 2019, a performance artist consumed the original fruit, and in 2023, a South Korean student followed suit, though neither paid for the privilege.

Sun, however, took the consumption to a new level by conducting a public performance. “Eating it at a press conference can also become a part of the artwork's history," he stated. He jokingly added, "It's much better than other bananas."

Many friends have asked me about the taste of the banana. To be honest, for a banana with such a back story, the taste is naturally different from an ordinary one. I could discern a hint of what Big Mike bananas from 100 years ago might have tasted like. pic.twitter.com/Sz6zaePGpv
(@justinsuntron) November 29, 2024

The 34-year-old entrepreneur expressed his fascination with the artwork, admitting initial doubts about the banana's longevity. A fresh banana, costing a mere 35 cents, was purchased on the day of the auction to replace the one eaten by Sun.

To commemorate the event, each attendee at the press conference received a banana and a roll of duct tape as a souvenir. Sun explained, "Everyone has a banana to eat."

Sun is the founder of the Tron blockchain network, a decentralized platform for cryptocurrency transactions. He is also known for his investments in NFTs, digital collectibles with no inherent value, often associated with blockchain technology.

In a recent development, Sun disclosed a $30 million investment in a cryptocurrency project backed by the US President-elect. Meanwhile, he is also facing legal charges from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for allegedly offering and selling unregistered securities.