Bitcoin News Today: Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Vandalized in Switzerland Amid $11,000 Reward Offer

A vandalized statue of Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, was recovered from Lake Lugano, Switzerland, following its theft and intentional destruction over the weekend [1]. The artwork, created by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, had been displayed in Parco Ciani, a lakeside park in the city, since its unveiling in October 2024 [2]. The sculpture, made from 304 stainless steel and corten blocks, was designed as an optical illusion that appeared to dissolve into digital code from specific angles [3]. Municipal workers retrieved the broken fragments from both the lake and surrounding banks on Monday [4].

The statue was found still attached to its base at only two points, with its feet remaining fixed—suggesting that the act was not one of theft but deliberate destruction [5]. The artwork was removed by unknown individuals and thrown into the water, likely during or after Swiss National Day celebrations, as speculated by some observers [6]. A reward of 0.1 Bitcoin—valued at over $11,000—was immediately offered by Satoshigallery, the collective behind the project, for information leading to the statue’s recovery [7].

The Bitcoin community expressed strong reactions to the incident. Gabor Gurbacs, founder and CEO of Pointsville, called the act “tasteless and stupid” on social media, while others suggested that intoxicated revelers might have been responsible [8]. Despite the destruction, Satoshigallery reaffirmed its mission to honor Satoshi Nakamoto through public art, declaring that “you can steal our symbol, but you will never be able to steal our souls.” The group continues to plan the installation of similar statues in 21 global locations [9].

The vandalism marks the first major attack on an official Satoshi monument, as similar statues in other countries have remained undisturbed for years [10]. A Change.org petition has since been launched to raise funds for the statue’s restoration, with organizers offering to cover the costs [11]. The event underscores the symbolic significance of the artwork and the resilience of the Bitcoin community, which remains committed to preserving the legacy of the cryptocurrency’s mysterious founder through public installations. The recovery of the statue from Lake Lugano highlights the broader cultural and ideological role of Bitcoin in the modern financial landscape.

Source:

[1] https://www.tradingview.com/news/cryptonews:dde18cd14094b:0-satoshi-nakamoto-statue-stolen-in-switzerland-0-1-btc-reward-offered-for-recovery/

[2] https://bitbo.io/news/satoshi-statue-lugano-recovered/

[4] https://decrypt.co/333368/bitcoin-creator-satoshi-nakamoto-statue-vandalized