Bitcoin News Today: Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Stolen and Submerged in Lake Vandalism Spurs 0.1 BTC Reward Hunt

The Satoshi Nakamoto statue, a prominent piece of crypto-inspired public art in Parco Ciani, Lugano, was reported stolen on July 15, 2025 [2]. The artwork, created by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi and commissioned by the art collective Satoshigallery, was later found broken and submerged in Lake Lugano on August 3, 2025 [3]. Municipal workers retrieved the fragmented statue, indicating that the act was likely one of deliberate vandalism rather than an attempt for financial gain [1]. In response, Satoshigallery launched a public appeal for information, offering a reward of 0.1 Bitcoin to anyone aiding in the investigation [7]. The group described the statue as a symbolic tribute to the legacy of Bitcoin’s creator and expressed confidence in the community’s ability to preserve its spirit [6].

The theft occurred during Swiss National Day celebrations on August 1, 2025 [1], raising concerns about the vulnerability of public art in the cryptocurrency space. Aron Clementi, a crypto community leader, emphasized the swift response from local residents and the ongoing investigation to identify those responsible [4]. Despite the incident, no adverse market impact was observed for major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum [3]. The focus of the event remains on its cultural and symbolic implications rather than financial consequences.

The vandalism follows a pattern seen in other incidents involving public crypto art, where damage or theft has not led to significant market shifts [3]. However, such acts have heightened community engagement, reinforcing Bitcoin’s growing cultural presence. Local authorities and businesses noted a temporary decline in tourism, prompting discussions about improved security for future events [3]. The swift recovery of the statue and the collective’s determination to restore it reflect the resilience of the global Bitcoin community.

The event underscores the challenges of maintaining public art in a space where symbols carry deep ideological weight. While the motives behind the act remain unclear, the symbolic destruction of the statue highlights the ongoing debate around Bitcoin’s influence and the need for stronger protections for its cultural representations. Satoshigallery has pledged to repair the artwork and restore it to its original location, signaling continued support for the decentralized ethos it represents [1].

Sources:

[1] Iconic Satoshi Nakamoto statue recovered by Lugano ... (https://cointelegraph.com/news/iconic-satoshi-nakamoto-statue-recovered-lugano)

[2] Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Stolen in Lugano, 0.1 BTC ... (https://cointelegraph.com/news/satoshi-nakamoto-statue-stolen-lugano-0-1-btc-reward)

[3] Satoshi Nakamoto statue stolen and dumped in lake in ... (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1007987-20250803)

[4] Bitcoin News Today: Stolen Satoshi Statue Recovered from ... (https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-stolen-satoshi-statue-recovered-lake-lugano-2508/)

[6] The Great Bitcoin Mystery in Lugano: Satoshi Statue Stolen ... (https://walletinvestor.com/magazine/the-great-bitcoin-mystery-in-lugano-satoshi-statue-stolen-then-found)

[7] Where is Satoshi Nakamoto? Statue Honouring the Bitcoin ... (https://cryptoadventure.com/where-is-satoshi-nakamoto-statue-honouring-the-bitcoin-creator-gets-stolen-in-lugano/)