Bitcoin News Today: Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Stolen in Switzerland Vandalism Prompted 0.1 Bitcoin Reward Offered

A bronze statue of Satoshi Nakamoto, the anonymous creator of Bitcoin, was stolen from Parco Ciani in Lugano, Switzerland, and dumped into Lake Lugano. The theft occurred after Swiss National Day celebrations on August 1, with witnesses confirming the statue was intact earlier that evening. The vandals used industrial tools, including tungsten carbide cutting disks and petrol-powered angle grinders, to sever the sculpture from its welded base. Only the feet remained attached to the original mounting points. The “Disappearing Satoshi” sculpture, created by artist Valentina Picozzi, was part of a global campaign by Satoshigallery to install 21 such monuments around the world, symbolizing Bitcoin’s 21 million coin supply cap. In response to the theft, Satoshigallery has offered a 0.1 Bitcoin reward—approximately $12,000—for information leading to the recovery of the statue. The group condemned the act of vandalism but affirmed their commitment to continuing the campaign, stating, “You can steal our symbol but you will never be able to steal our souls.” Local authorities are investigating the incident, with suspicions pointing to intoxicated individuals from nearby cafes who may have committed the act as a form of vandalism rather than for financial gain. This marks the first major incident of vandalism against an official Satoshi monument, as previous installations in locations such as Budapest, Tokyo, and Bitcoin Beach have remained untouched for years. Meanwhile, Nakamoto’s estimated 1.096 million Bitcoin holdings, valued at $132.8 billion as of July 2025, remain untouched in dormant wallets since 2011. Analyst Eric Balchunas predicted that if Bitcoin maintains a 50% annual growth rate, Nakamoto could rise to second place on global wealth rankings by 2026. Speculation around Nakamoto’s identity continues, with renewed interest in potential candidates such as Jack Dorsey and Peter Todd, following the conclusion of legal battles against Craig Wright over fraudulent claims of authorship. The theft has sparked global attention and calls for the replacement of the stolen statue, with the crypto community rallying behind the cause [1].

Source: [1] Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Stolen in Switzerland, 0.1 BTC Reward Offered for Recovery (https://cryptonews.com/news/satoshi-nakamoto-statue-stolen-in-switzerland-0-1-btc-reward-offered-for-recovery/)