Man arrested in Los Angeles for advertising crypto on the Hollywood sign
Man arrested for cryptocurrency flag
On Saturday, an unidentified man climbed onto the Hollywood sign and waved a flag promoting the cryptocurrency Vigilante Token. He was later arrested by the Los Angeles police.
According to The Crypto Times, authorities received a report of a person standing atop the sign on February 15 in the afternoon. The flag displayed the name "Vigilante," along with a website address, an X (formerly Twitter) handle, and what appeared to be the project's logo.
The individual’s identity remains unknown as he was dressed in dark clothing, a mask, and a camouflage vest.
A day earlier, the official Vigilante Token X account had posted a cryptic message hinting at an upcoming stunt: "On February 15, 2025, we’re launching Vigilante Token in the most viral way you’ve ever seen."
Just two minutes before the police were alerted, the project posted a photo of the Hollywood sign with the caption, "Currently…".
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Park rangers attempted to communicate with the man while emergency medical services stood by. He was taken into custody by law enforcement at approximately 4:00 PM.
How crypto projects promote themselves
Cryptocurrency projects often employ unconventional marketing strategies to capture public attention. Stunts like the one in Los Angeles can quickly land a project in the headlines, generating buzz around a token—even if its underlying concept remains obscure.
Other creative advertising methods include aerial banners featuring crypto slogans flown over major sporting events and sponsorship deals with high-profile influencers and celebrities. In 2022, the crypto exchange Crypto.com spent millions of dollars to secure naming rights for a Los Angeles sports arena, while in 2021, Dogecoin unofficially became the sponsor of a NASCAR racing car.
Recently, the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase acquired Spindl, a platform specializing in on-chain advertising and attribution. This move aligns with Coinbase’s broader strategy to enhance marketing opportunities for projects built on Base, its Layer 2 network on Ethereum.
