Miami Mayor and extreme crypto fanatic Francis Suarez presented an 11-foot, 3,000-pound bull monument inspired by the historic Wall Street statue. But with Bitcoin laser eyes and other “ultramodern robotic” characteristics on the first day of the Bitcoin 2022 conference in Miami.
The monument, according to Suarez, is a “symbolic and strong addition” to the city, demonstrating that the “future of finance is here, in Miami.”
The bull was introduced at the Miami Beach Convention Center on Wednesday, where the Bitcoin 2022 conference will take place over the next four days.
A Majestic Miami crypto bull
Artist Furio Tedeschi designed the robotic crypto bull. He created the concept art for the Transformers movie series and was built by an entertainment studio that has worked on films like Batman vs. Superman and Gremlins 2.
It took 30 people and more than half a year to complete.
Suarez has turned into a full-fledged cheerleader for blockchain technology, attempting to entice firms and individuals to the low-tax state and transform his city into a global hub for the technology.
He has converted salary to Bitcoin, developed a MiamiCoin token that’s brought in millions of dollars, and wants locals to be able to pay their taxes using cryptocurrency.
TradeStation, a crypto-friendly trading platform based in Plantation, Florida, commissioned the monument.
John Bartleman, the company’s CEO, told Motherboard that it’s been amazing to witness Miami turn into the world’s self-proclaimed crypto capital. He claims that the big bull with laser eyes will act as an inspiration to the locals.
“We saw that we’re missing a symbol, something that the community can unite behind,” Bartleman said.
There were a few suggestions, but when Bartleman first heard about it, the robotic bull with laser eyes and a “very crypto feel” was the “obvious winner.”
Miami-Dade County and Suarez Mayor Daniella Levine Cava were eager to flex next to the bull’s flashing blue eyes and golden horns for pictures. Every scene was filmed on their phones by a swarm of reporters, photographers, and crypto aficionados.
However, not everyone was impressed. On Twitter, one user described the monument as “cringeworthy,” while others linked it to the ancient Golden Calf idol, which the Israelites worshipped until Moses destroyed it.
Others in Miami cynically questioned whether the bull would help them cut their skyrocketing rent costs.