Bitcoin’s Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Recovered After Vandalism in Switzerland
Satoshi Nakamoto – The famous “disappearing” statue of Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, was reported stolen last Saturday but has now been recovered, according to Satoshigallery, the art collective behind the installation. The statue was discovered by municipal workers in Lake Lugano, Switzerland, thrown into the water after unknown individuals removed it from its base in Parco Ciani, a popular lakefront park in Lugano.
Officials found the statue in several pieces, indicating an act of vandalism rather than a theft for monetary gain. The artwork, crafted by Italian artist and Bitcoin advocate Valentina Picozzi, was only welded to the base at two points on the statue’s feet, which remained attached to the base. This detail helped confirm the statue was forcefully detached.
0.1 BTC Reward Offered for Statue’s Return
In an effort to recover this symbolic piece, Satoshigallery offered a reward of 0.1 BTC, valued at over $11,000, for information leading to the statue’s return. Despite reaching out for comments, Cointelegraph was unable to get a direct response from the art collective at the time of publication. The statue, unveiled in October 2024 after 21 months of design and construction, has become an iconic symbol of the Bitcoin community worldwide.
Bitcoin Community Reacts to Vandalism with Disgust and Resilience
The Bitcoin community quickly expressed outrage over the statue’s vandalism. Gabor Gurbacs, CEO of blockchain platform Pointsville, condemned the act as “tasteless and stupid,” hoping the perpetrators would be found. Some speculated that celebrations on Swiss National Day may have led to the damage, with pseudonymous Bitcoin supporter Gritto suggesting “drunk partygoers” were responsible.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino marked the statue’s recovery with a simple heart emoji, reflecting the community’s enduring spirit.
Satoshigallery reaffirmed their mission, stating, “You can steal our symbol, but you will never be able to steal our souls,” and confirmed plans to install 21 similar statues worldwide, honoring Bitcoin’s legacy across the globe.
