Crypto Billionaires Spend Big on Space Missions, Art Stunts, and Exotic Pets

Crypto billionaires are increasingly making headlines not just for their wealth, but for their extravagant and often eccentric spending habits. These individuals are rewriting the rules of how wealth is displayed, using their fortunes to fund ambitious projects and make bold statements that go beyond traditional investments.

One notable example is American millionaire John Collins-Black, who buried five chests worth a combined $2 million across the U.S. The clues to their locations are encoded in a book he authored, turning treasure hunting into a unique form of art. The buried items include a physical Casascius Bitcoin, a Colombian emerald, a rare 2002 Pokémon Shining Charizard card, and a dessert bowl that once belonged to George Washington. Collins-Black plans to release new clues every 8–10 years if the treasures remain undiscovered, adding an element of intrigue and mystery to his wealth display.

Another crypto billionaire, Chun Wang, co-founder of F2Pool and Stakefish, made a significant mark by fully funding and boarding a SpaceX mission that orbited Earth over both poles. The mission, called Fram2, cost Wang $55 million and included 22 experiments, such as the first X-ray scan of a human body in space and mushroom cultivation in microgravity. Wang's net worth is estimated at over $1 billion, largely accumulated through early mining operations and infrastructure investments in the blockchain space. This space mission not only showcased his wealth but also his ambition to push the boundaries of human achievement.

Justin Sun, another prominent figure in the crypto world, took a different approach to gaining attention. He ate Maurizio Cattelan’s infamous banana artwork, Comedian, during a live event in a $5 million publicity stunt. Originally sold at Art Basel Miami for $120,000, the banana taped to a wall became an instant meme in the art world. Sun's stunt, which involved complex licensing, media production, and PR orchestration, pushed the total price tag north of $5 million, cementing his status as one of crypto’s most flamboyant showmen.

Djordje Novakovic, a flamboyant trader known as the “James Bond of crypto,” earned over £30 million through forex, crypto, and NFTs. Instead of splurging on traditional luxury items, Novakovic kept a pet orangutan and a baby tiger, using his wealth to create a surreal identity where shock value and extravagance became a strategic personal brand. His social media became a catalog of decadence, featuring designer suits, champagne showers, and exotic pets, showcasing his unique approach to displaying his wealth.

Volodymyr Nosov, Founder and President of WhiteBIT Group, made headlines by purchasing the Eurovision trophy won by Kalush Orchestra for 500 ETH—nearly $900,000. This acquisition not only elevated the market value of the Eurovision trophy but also positioned Nosov as one of the most financially influential figures in crypto. With the backing of WhiteBIT, Nosov has made several bold moves, including acquiring Freddie Mercury’s classic Rolls-Royce for $11 million and purchasing a football club, demonstrating his strategic use of wealth to make headline-making acquisitions.

These examples illustrate the diverse and often extravagant ways in which crypto billionaires are spending their wealth. From space missions to art stunts and exotic pets, these individuals are using their fortunes to make bold statements and shape their public personas. Their spending habits reveal not only the scale of their wealth but also their unique approaches to displaying it, often blending strategic purposes with personal values and ambitions.