Nighthawks’ by Edward Hopper is often recognised as one of the most famous artworks of 20th century America. The painting depicts a midnight scene of ‘Phillies’ diner, inside which 4 anonymous figures can be seen; 2 men, 1 woman and a bartender. ‘Nighthawks’ is often read as an exploration of human existentialism and loneliness in the modern age. The figures feel distant and disconnected from each other which is reflected by the viewer's literal distance from the interior scene which is separated by a bending glass exterior with no clear entrance. Although Hopper has said the painting does not specifically explore loneliness, he  said of the work, “unconsciously, probably, I was painting the loneliness of a large city.”

Fascinating parallels can be drawn between Hopper's Nighthawks and the anonymity of cryptocurrency users. Just as the figures in the painting are disconnected, online transactions can be seen as faceless and isolated.