A crypto investor shelled out $6 million for a banana, with the intention of consuming it.

• Justin Sun, a crypto investor, spent $6.2 million on a banana secured to a wall with duct tape.
• The infamous artwork "Comedian" by Italian artist and cultural prankster Maurizio Cattelan was sold at Sotheby's auction.
• The banana will not be included since it will rot, but the sun will receive a roll of duct tape, instructions on how to install it, and a certificate of authenticity guaranteeing it as an original work.

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The sale of a banana duct-taped to a wall for $6.2 million by crypto investor Justin Sun underscores the rising values of crypto and viral art.

The infamous banana, "Comedian," created by Italian artist and cultural prankster Maurizio Cattelan, was last night auctioned off by Sotheby's. In a heated battle with six other bidders, Sun emerged victorious, placing their bid online and paying in crypto.

"Sun stated that the artwork he created is not just a piece of art, but a cultural phenomenon that connects art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community. He believes that it will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will be remembered as a part of history. As the owner of this iconic work, Sun is proud and excited to see it inspire further creativity and impact for art lovers worldwide."

In 2019, a comedian gained notoriety at its debut at Art Basel Miami Beach, priced at $120,000. The image of a banana duct-taped to a wall, priced at six figures, went viral on social media and drew a huge crowd. Three editions of "Comedian" were created and sold, with one going to the Guggenheim Collection thanks to an anonymous donor, and the other two purchased.

The Sotheby's banana, which was originally purchased by one of the original buyers and resold by the seller, will cost Sun $6 million. In return, Sun will receive a roll of duct tape, installation instructions, and a certificate of authenticity guaranteeing the banana as an original work of Cattelan's. However, the banana itself will not be included, as it will quickly rot and require constant replacement for display purposes.

Sun stated that he intends to consume the banana as part of an artistic journey, paying tribute to its significance in both art history and popular culture.

The crypto community compared the value of the banana to an NFT due to the certificate, and the seller accepted crypto as payment.

The art market is showing signs of a rebound, with more than $1 billion worth of art sold in a series of auctions in New York this week, driven by the recent stock market rally and increased postelection confidence by wealthy collectors.

On Monday, Sotheby's sold a Monet water lilies painting for $65.5 million, while Christie's sold a Rene Magritte surrealist painting for $121 million on Tuesday.