Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin's Disappearing Satoshi Statue Stolen, 0.1 BTC Reward Offered for Clues

A Bitcoin-themed statue in the Swiss city of Lugano, symbolizing the anonymity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the presumed creator of Bitcoin, has been stolen. The statue, designed by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, features a faceless figure sitting in front of a laptop and is engineered to appear to “disappear” when viewed from the front or back [2]. The artwork, known as the Disappearing Satoshi statue, was installed in public view as a tribute to the mysterious origin of Bitcoin and the significance of privacy in the digital age [1].

The theft occurred unexpectedly, leaving local authorities and the cryptocurrency community scrambling for answers. In response, a reward of 0.1 BTC has been offered by the Satoshigallery, the group behind the global Satoshi statue initiative, for information leading to the recovery of the statue [3]. A public plea for assistance was posted on X, stating, “Where is Satoshi?” the group posted on X on Sunday. “You can steal our symbol but you will never be able to steal our souls,” the statement read, reaffirming their commitment to install the statue in 21 cities around the world despite the setback [1]. The reward underscores the importance of the artwork not only as a cultural symbol but also as a tangible representation of the decentralized ethos of Bitcoin.

The disappearance of the statue has sparked interest within the crypto community, with some interpreting the theft as a statement or protest against the growing institutionalization of Bitcoin. Others view it as a straightforward criminal act, given the public visibility and location of the artwork. The statue’s design, which merges digital art with physical space, has made it a local landmark, drawing both tourists and cryptocurrency enthusiasts to the area [2]. The artwork was unveiled in October 2023 as part of the Plan B Forum, a yearly blockchain event co-hosted by the city of Lugano and stablecoin issuer Tether [1].

The reward of 0.1 BTC, equivalent to approximately $11,000 based on Bitcoin’s price at the time, reflects the seriousness with which the Satoshigallery treats the loss. The organization has requested the public’s help in identifying any potential leads. As of the latest available information, the statue remains missing, and no suspects have been identified [1]. The group has emphasized that the theft does not deter their global mission to honor Bitcoin’s enigmatic origin through public art installations in 21 cities worldwide.

The incident highlights the intersection of art, technology, and public interest in the world of cryptocurrency. While the statue’s theft is a singular event, it has reignited discussions around the role of digital currencies in society, the significance of anonymity, and the challenges of preserving public art in the digital age [3]. The statue was also praised by Lugano’s mayor, who described it as a reflection of the city’s commitment to digital innovation [1].

Source:

[1] CoinDesk (2025). [https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/03/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)

[2] TradingView (2025). [https://www.tradingview.com/news/cointelegraph:1a8d4bb9b094b:0-disappearing-satoshi-statue-in-lugano-stolen-0-1-btc-offered-for-its-return/](https://www.tradingview.com/news/cointelegraph:1a8d4bb9b094b:0-disappearing-satoshi-statue-in-lugano-stolen-0-1-btc-offered-for-its-return/)

[3] 0x资讯 (2025). [https://0xzx.com/en/20250802143****5178.html](https://0xzx.com/en/20250802143****5178.html)