**Crypto Mogul Justin Sun Sinks Teeth into $6.2M Banana Artwork**

**In a quirky event, Justin Sun, known for his entrepreneurial ventures in blockchain, ate the iconic banana from Maurizio Cattelan's controversial artwork during a press conference, further blurring the lines between art and digital currencies.**

Justin Sun, a prominent cryptocurrency entrepreneur, made headlines this week by consuming the banana from the $6.2 million artwork "Comedian," created by artist Maurizio Cattelan. The unique piece, which features a banana duct-taped to a wall, was purchased by Sun at a Sotheby’s auction in New York, where he outbid several others to claim the controversial item.

During a press conference held in Hong Kong, Sun affirmed that indulging in the banana was a symbolic gesture, linking the act to the experience of owning a non-fungible token (NFT) or digital asset. He noted that the banana could be seen as part of the installation’s narrative, stating, "Eating it at a press conference can also become a part of the artwork's history." As a nod to the artwork's earlier history, the banana had already been consumed twice before—once by a performance artist in 2019 and again by a South Korean student earlier this year—however, neither had paid for the privilege to do so.

Sun, who heads the Tron blockchain network, a platform specializing in cryptocurrency trading, shared that he found the artwork intriguing, admitting he had “dumb questions” such as whether the fruit would spoil. Notably, a fresh banana was sourced for just 35 cents the day of the auction, raising the question of what makes the fruit cost so much more now.

During the auction event, everyone in attendance received a banana and duct tape as keepsakes. "Everyone has a banana to eat," Sun remarked, reflecting on the experience.

In addition to his venture into high-value art, Mr. Sun is no stranger to controversy. Last year, he faced charges from the US Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly offering and selling unregistered security tokens, a claim he continues to deny. Recently, he also revealed a significant $30 million investment in a cryptocurrency project associated with US President-elect Donald Trump, further showcasing the intersection of digital currency and political aspirations in today’s market landscape.