Iconic Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Recovered by Lugano Municipality
Damaged Bitcoin monument found in Lake Lugano after weekend disappearance
The “disappearing” statue of Satoshi Nakamoto, a symbol of Bitcoin’s anonymous origins and a rallying point for the global crypto community, has been recovered after being reported stolen from Parco Ciani in Lugano, Switzerland.
According to Satoshigallery, the collective behind the international Satoshi statue initiative, municipal workers from the city located the artwork submerged in Lake Lugano. The statue had been removed from its base and thrown into the lake, where it was found in several pieces – suggesting an act of vandalism rather than theft for profit.
Only the statue’s feet remained attached to the base, as the structure was originally welded at just two points. The group had previously announced a 0.1 BTC reward (worth over $11,000) for its return.
Unveiled in October 2024 during the Plan B Forum, the statue was designed by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi and took nearly two years to plan and complete. It has since become a globally recognized symbol of Bitcoin’s ethos and Nakamoto’s enduring mystery.
Bitcoin community outraged by vandalism of symbolic monument
The attack on the statue sparked widespread backlash within the Bitcoin community. Many described the act as senseless and symbolic of broader ignorance about the movement’s cultural and philosophical significance.
“Such a tasteless and stupid thing to do. Hope they find who did it,” said Gabor Gurbacs, founder and CEO of Pointsville, in a post on X.
Other community members speculated that the vandalism may have been the result of drunken revelers during Swiss National Day celebrations, which took place around the same time the statue went missing.
Despite the damage, the recovery has been met with a mixture of relief and renewed commitment to the statue project. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino responded to the news with a heart emoji, while Satoshigallery reiterated its mission to install the statue in 21 cities worldwide.
“You can steal our symbol, but you will never be able to steal our souls,” the group wrote – underscoring the statue’s role as both a tribute to Bitcoin’s origin and a unifying emblem for its global community.
