Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Founder Statue Stolen in Switzerland, 0.1 BTC Reward Offered for Clues

A Bitcoin-themed statue commemorating the pseudonymous founder of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, was reported stolen in Lugano, Switzerland, prompting the organization Satoshigallery to offer a reward of 0.1 BTC for information leading to its recovery [1]. The theft, confirmed on August 3, 2025, has sparked widespread interest among cryptocurrency enthusiasts and local authorities [2]. The artwork, a public installation meant to celebrate the legacy of blockchain technology, disappeared from Parco Ciani, a public park in the Swiss city [3].

Satoshigallery, in collaboration with artist Valentina Picozzi, swiftly announced the reward as part of an effort to locate and recover the statue [4]. The 0.1 BTC bounty, valued approximately between $3,000 and $6,000 at the time of the announcement, represents both a financial incentive and a symbolic gesture to reinforce the importance of the artwork within the crypto community [5]. The group’s social media post read, “We are offering 0.1 BTC to whoever will help us recover the Statue of Satoshi Nakamoto that was stolen yesterday in Lugano,” emphasizing the urgency of the situation [6].

Despite initial reports suggesting the statue had been recovered and found in a nearby lake on June 8, 2025, subsequent updates confirm the sculpture remains missing as of early August 2025 [7]. This contradiction underscores the evolving nature of the case, as well as the challenges of tracking a physical artifact linked to a decentralized digital movement. Satoshigallery has continued to seek public assistance, leaving the bounty active while emphasizing its broader mission of global installations of the statue [8].

The incident highlights the vulnerability of public cryptocurrency-related art in urban environments, especially in tourist-heavy cities like Lugano. It has also raised questions about the security and ownership of digital-age memorials tied to decentralized ideologies [9]. Although the theft has not affected the technical infrastructure of the crypto ecosystem—such as exchanges or DeFi platforms—it has intensified discussions on how to protect such symbolic works in the public sphere.

Artist Valentina Picozzi noted that the disappearance of the statue is a reflection of the ethos of Bitcoin itself—“the statue disappears in front of the audience, and what’s left of Satoshi is visible ‘between the lines’ of the code for all the bitcoin users” [10]. The event has reinforced the resilience of Bitcoin culture, with the community showing strong solidarity through social media and calls for enhanced security for similar art projects [11].

The theft serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by public crypto art initiatives. While the direct financial impact remains minimal, it has spurred conversations on improving surveillance and protective measures for such installations globally [12]. The incident also underscores the importance of community engagement in the crypto space. Supported by local Swiss organizations and initially backed by Tether during its unveiling, the statue represented a global connection to Bitcoin’s legacy [13]. The theft has not disrupted any cryptocurrency exchanges or DeFi platforms but has increased public interest in crypto-themed art [14].

As the search for the statue continues, the 0.1 BTC reward remains open, signaling Satoshigallery’s determination to retrieve the piece and restore its symbolic presence for the wider crypto community [15]. The organization continues to advocate for the fusion of art and blockchain technology, promoting resilience through community engagement [16].

Source:

[1] Cointelegraph (https://cointelegraph.com/news/satoshi-nakamoto-statue-stolen-lugano-0-1-btc-reward)

[2] 99Bitcoins (https://99bitcoins.com/news/presales/satoshi-nakamoto-statue-stolen-in-switzerland-0-1-btc-crypto-reward-on-offer-for-its-return/)

[3] AInvest (https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-bitcoin-themed-satoshi-statue-stolen-lugano-0-1-btc-reward-offered-2508/)

[4] AInvest (https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-bitcoin-disappearing-satoshi-statue-stolen-0-1-btc-reward-offered-clues-2508/)

[6] CoinDesk (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/03/where-is-satoshi-nakamoto-statue-honouring-the-bitcoin-creator-gets-stolen-in-lugano)

[7] Crypto (https://cryptobriefing.com/bitcoin-statue-theft-lugano/)

[8] Cryptopolitan (https://www.cryptopolitan.com/satoshi-nakamoto-statue-found-btc-reward/)

[9] CryptoRank (https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/62854-satoshi-vanishes-for-a-second-time-as-swiss-gallery-offers-0-1-btc-to-recover-stolen-statue)

[10] Coinotag (https://en.coinotag.com/satoshigallery-offers-0-1-btc-reward-following-possible-theft-of-satoshi-nakamoto-statue/)