Crypto Streamers Arrested After Placing Pump.fun Banner on Hollywood Sign

The iconic Hollywood Sign became the backdrop for an unusual crypto stunt over the weekend. On Sunday evening, members of the Basedd House collective, a group of cryptocurrency streamers, climbed the landmark and covered one of its letters with a banner shaped like a green pill, designed to mimic the Pump.fun logo.

The act was live-streamed to thousands of viewers, drawing instant attention online but ending with multiple arrests.

A viral stunt meets the law

According to local reports, at least five participants were detained by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on charges of trespassing and vandalism.

LAPD helicopters were dispatched within minutes, and the banner was taken down shortly after. Authorities noted that under California Penal Code Section 594, felony vandalism carries penalties of up to one year in jail and fines as high as $10,000.

The Hollywood Sign, first constructed in 1923 as “Hollywoodland” to promote real estate, has long been considered a cultural landmark. Its preservation is overseen by the Hollywood Sign Trust, which has historically maintained strict security around the site.

Incidents of vandalism have occurred before, but the Pump.fun stunt shows the growing trend of crypto promotions leaning on viral or unconventional campaigns to capture public attention.

Pump.fun, Basedd House, and the meme coin playbook

Pump.fun is a Solana-based platform that allows users to create meme coins instantly. Its native token, PUMP, has a circulating supply of 354 billion and a market capitalization of roughly $1.9 billion, making it one of the larger players in the meme coin ecosystem.

For Basedd House, a collective known for streaming crypto content and promoting tokens, the Hollywood stunt represented their most high-profile effort to date.

In the days before the incident, the group teased the banner’s design on social media, fueling speculation among followers. While the banner was removed within hours, footage and images circulated widely across social media and outlets.

Other Related Read/Listens

• Hypervault Rug Pull? PeckShield Flags Millions Lost as Project Goes Dark
• SEC and FINRA Investigate Stock Movements Tied to Crypto Treasury Disclosures
• Lawman Turned Crypto Thief: NCA Officer Jailed for $5.63M Bitcoin Heist