20 June 2026
Sotheby’s To Accept Cryptocurrency For Rare 100 carat Diamond
The 277-year-old auction house, Sotheby’s, will now accept Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) for a rare pear-shaped diamond of 101.38 carats that could fetch over $15 million.
For the first time, an exceptionally rare rock of such size has been offered for public purchase with cryptocurrency. So far, no physical object of such high value has been available for sale with cryptocurrency.
The rare 101.38-carat pear-shaped diamond, also called the Key 10138 is one of ten diamonds of more than 100 carats ever to come to auction. It carries a pre-sale estimate of $10-15 million and will be sold in Hong Kong on 9 July. Bitcoin or ether, alongside traditional money, will be accepted as payment.
The Chairman of Sotheby’s Asia, Patti Wong, said in a statement, “this is a truly symbolic moment. The most ancient emblematic denominator of value can now, for the first time, be purchased using humanity’s newest universal currency.” Furthermore, Sotheby’s said -carat diamonds have achieved a “mythical status” and the pear-shaped cut echoes that of the “Cullinan l” currently residing in the tower of London and mounted in the Imperial Sceptre of Great Britain. Sotheby’s in May sold a Banksy for $12.9 million in the first instance of a work of physical art sold by a major auction house that was bought with cryptocurrency.
Last year there was a strong demand for white diamonds, jewels, and other luxury items, particularly from younger people, including those in Asia, said Sotheby’s. Besides the name of the colorless diamond, key 10138, is intended to reflect the integral role that keys occupy in the world of cryptocurrencies.
Disclaimer: The author’s views and opinions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, or other advice.
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