Bitcoin News Today: Lugano’s Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Stolen Amid Crypto Hub Ambitions

Residents of Lugano, Switzerland, awoke to a shocking sight one morning in early November 2024—Satoshi Nakamoto’s iconic statue, symbolizing the city’s embrace of cryptocurrency, had vanished without a trace [1]. Created by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, the sculpture was unveiled on October 25 at the Plan B Bitcoin forum, marking a key milestone in the city’s efforts to position itself as a global crypto hub [1]. The artwork, known for its unique design that blended the silhouette of Bitcoin’s enigmatic founder into a visual representation of “code,” had become a local landmark [1].

The disappearance was first reported by X user Grittoshi, sparking immediate concern within the local and global crypto community [1]. An investigation revealed that the steel plates anchoring the statue at Piazza Indipendenza had been removed, leaving only bare concrete at the site [1]. Despite the absence of surveillance footage capturing the theft, the mystery deepened when photos circulated online suggesting the statue might have been dumped into nearby Lake Ceresio [1]. However, volunteer divers have yet to locate any trace of the artwork underwater, and local authorities are weighing whether to conduct a full lakebed search [1].

In response to the theft, the art collective SatoshiGallery issued a rallying call, vowing that the city’s spirit of innovation could not be stolen [1]. To aid in the search, the group offered a reward of 0.1 BTC for any credible information leading to the statue’s recovery [1]. At the current Bitcoin price, the reward amounts to approximately $11,262 [1]. This move has drawn interest from collectors and local volunteers alike, demonstrating the deep emotional and cultural significance the statue holds for the community [1].

The disappearance of the statue has not dampened the project’s ambitions [1]. In fact, the team behind the initiative has doubled down, reiterating their goal to place Satoshi Nakamoto statues in 21 countries [1]. The event in Lugano is a setback, but it also serves as a reminder of the challenges and unpredictable nature of public art in a rapidly evolving digital economy [1]. The city had, in 2024, launched the “Plan B” initiative in partnership with Swiss-Tether to solidify its status as a cryptocurrency hub [1]. The missing statue, once a key icon of this vision, is now a symbol of both vulnerability and resilience in the crypto world [1].

Sources:

[1] The Mysterious Disappearance of Lugano’s Iconic Satoshi Nakamoto Statue, https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/688f75e2d21e7556b9bbdc1d/