Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Creator Statue Stolen in Lugano Amid Global Tribute Efforts

The Satoshi Nakamoto statue, a symbolic representation of the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, has been stolen in Lugano, Switzerland. The artwork, created by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, was part of an initiative to position the city as a global Bitcoin hub. The statue, unveiled on October 25, 2024, at Plan B’s Bitcoin forum, was known for its illusion of fading into code, with layers of disappearing stripes that created an optical effect [1]. The theft was first reported by X user @Grittoshi, who speculated that the statue might have been discarded into a lake near its location [1].

In response, Satoshigallery, the artistic project behind the statue, announced a reward of 0.1 BTC for anyone who could aid in its recovery. A post on X stated, “We are offering 0.1 BTC to whoever will help us recovering the Statue of Satoshi Nakamoto that was stolen yesterday in Lugano,” emphasizing the community’s commitment to re-erecting the statue in 21 locations worldwide [1]. The message conveyed a defiant tone, asserting that while the symbol could be stolen, “you will never be able to steal our souls.”

The incident occurred just days after the unveiling of another Satoshi-related artwork in Tokyo, suggesting a broader effort to commemorate Bitcoin’s enigmatic figurehead across multiple global locations [1]. The disappearance of the Lugano statue raises questions about the security of public art in regions aiming to become central to the cryptocurrency ecosystem. It also highlights the emotional and symbolic value placed on physical tributes to Bitcoin’s origins, despite the digital nature of the technology itself [1].

Source: [1] Where is Satoshi Nakamoto? Statue Honouring the Bitcoin Creator Gets Stolen in Lugano (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/03/where-is-satoshi-nakamoto-statue-honouring-the-bitcoin-creator-gets-stolen-in-lugano)