Bitcoin News Today: Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Stolen Then Vandalized and Submerged in Swiss Lake

A life-sized statue of Bitcoin’s enigmatic creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, was found broken and submerged in Lake Lugano, Switzerland, following its theft earlier in August 2025 [1]. The artwork, a 304 stainless steel and corten block sculpture, was designed by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi and unveiled in October 2024 as a global symbol of the Bitcoin movement [2]. Positioned in Parco Ciani, the statue had become a landmark for the crypto community, drawing attention as both a tribute to Bitcoin’s anonymous creator and a beacon of digital innovation in the city [3].

The statue was reported missing over the weekend, sparking immediate concern within the Bitcoin community. Satoshigallery, the collective behind the project, confirmed the theft and offered a reward of 0.1 BTC—valued at over $11,000—for any information leading to its recovery [4]. By Sunday, municipal workers discovered the broken pieces of the statue in Lake Lugano, near its original location. The artwork had been forcibly removed, with its base still attached, suggesting deliberate vandalism rather than an attempt to resell the piece [5].

The destruction of the statue has caused significant emotional reactions among crypto advocates. Many viewed the act as an attack on a cultural symbol of Bitcoin’s ethos. Gabor Gurbacs, CEO of Pointsville, described the act as “tasteless and stupid,” while others speculated it could have been linked to Swiss National Day celebrations [6]. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino responded with a heart emoji, while Satoshigallery emphasized the resilience of the community, declaring, “You can steal our symbol, but you will never be able to steal our souls” [7].

The recovery process is now underway, with the statue’s broken components retrieved. While no detailed statement has been issued beyond confirmation of the recovery, the organization hopes to restore the artwork and reinstall it in Parco Ciani. The incident underscores the symbolic importance of public art in the cryptocurrency space, as well as the vulnerability of such works to acts of vandalism. Despite Lugano being known for its safety, the event raises questions about the protection of digital-age monuments and the balance between innovation and preservation [8].

Source:

[1] Benzinga, Satoshi Nakamoto's Statue Smashed, Dumped In Swiss Lake, https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/25/08/46819166/satoshi-nakamotos-statue-smashed-dumped-in-swiss-lake-absolute-disgrace-says-bitcoiner

[2] 99Bitcoins, Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Stolen In Switzerland: 0.1 BTC Reward On Offer For Its Return, https://99bitcoins.com/news/presales/satoshi-nakamoto-statue-stolen-in-switzerland-0-1-btc-crypto-reward-on-offer-for-its-return/

[3] CryptoRank, Iconic Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Recovered After ..., https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/5c093-iconic-satoshi-nakamoto-statue-recovered-vandalism

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

[5] CryptoHead.io, Missing Satoshi Nakamoto Monument Recovered in Pieces, https://cryptohead.io/news/missing-satoshi-nakamoto-monument-recovered-in-pieces/

[6] Twitter (X), Aron Clementi, https://x.com/Aron_Clem/status/171****380121241601

[7] Satoshigallery, X, https://x.com/satoshigallery/status/171****380121241601

[8] AInvest, Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Creator Statue Stolen Then ..., https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-bitcoin-creator-statue-stolen-submerged-swiss-lake-2508/