New Money: Sotheby's Welcomes Crypto at Hong Kong Auction
September 14, 21
(IDEX Online) - Sotheby's is rolling out its cryptocurrency program by accepting Bitcoin, Ether or USD Coin payments for all lots at a forthcoming diamond auction in Hong Kong.
It follows its sale in July of a 101.38-carat pear-shaped D-color flawless diamond to an anonymous crypto buyer for $16.4m (pre-sale estimate $10m to $15m).
All eight lots at Sotheby's forthcoming auction - Diamonds: The Dazzling Infinity - are marked as payable by crypto. Traditional payment options will also be available.
The sale will be led by a 177.51-carat Harry Winston diamond necklace (pictured) with nine D-color IF pear-shaped stones weighing from 14.93 to 2.04 carats, seven of which are Type IIa.
Also in the sale is a 50.05-carat D-color IF Type IIa heart-shaped diamond with an estimate of $3.6m to $4.6m.
The live sale is scheduled for 24 September. Online bidding has already opened.