Benzinga - by Murtuza Merchant, Benzinga Staff Writer.
The hastily-scribbled “Buy Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC)” sign that went viral during a Congressional hearing in 2017 has become a million-dollar collector’s item.
What Happened: The now-iconic sign, a symbol of early Bitcoin enthusiasm, sold for a staggering $1.027 million at auction, Bloomberg reported.
The famous "Buy Bitcoin" sign was just sold for more than $1 Million today.The sign was shown during then-FED chair Janet Yellen's Congressional testimony back in July 2017. pic.twitter.com/qGtWCJRNM9
— Lark Davis (@TheCryptoLark) April 25, 2024
The winning bid, placed anonymously, came in at 16 bitcoin.
There was a brief moment of confusion during the final minutes when a technical error displayed a much higher bid, but the final price settled at the million mark.
The seller was Christian Langalis, the then 22-year-old intern who impulsively created the sign and held it up behind then-Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen during her testimony.
Langalis was promptly escorted out of the hearing room, but his message clearly resonated with the crypto community.
This sky-high auction price reflects the incredible rise of Bitcoin itself.
Since 2017, the value of Bitcoin has skyrocketed from around $2,300 to a record high of nearly $74,000 earlier this year.
This surge has attracted major financial institutions like Fidelity and BlackRock Inc., along with a renewed wave of interest from retail investors.
As a result, early Bitcoin artifacts like the “Buy Bitcoin” sign are experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
This unassuming legal pad, once a bargain at $8.99 for a three-pack, now stands as a testament to the transformative power of cryptocurrency.
Also Read: Trump’s Crypto Portfolio Rebounds With $1M Weekly Profit: Which ‘Crazy New Currencies’ Does He Hold?
Beyond The Bitcoin Bonanza
The story doesn’t end with Bitcoin.
This week also saw another internet meme go up for auction.
This image, featuring a man yelling into a woman’s ear while looking at another woman, has been widely shared and parodied online.