Bitcoin News Today: Stolen Satoshi Statue Found Damaged in Swiss Lake Amid Security Concerns

A life-sized statue symbolizing Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, was stolen and later recovered in a severely damaged condition. The artwork, located in Lugano, Switzerland, was reported missing on August 3, 2025, and found the same day in a nearby lake, broken apart and vandalized [1]. The incident has raised questions about the motivations behind the act and the vulnerability of public art in the crypto space [2].

According to Satoshigallery, the creators of the statue, the artwork had been completely removed from its base, leaving only the two feet bolted to the ground [2]. In a public statement on X, the team announced a reward of 0.1 BTC for anyone who could help locate the missing statue [1]. Within hours, the artwork was found in a fragmented state, with no clear explanation for the damage it sustained [3].

A local observer, known on X as Gritto, suggested that the theft may have occurred around Swiss National Day on August 1st, when a group of intoxicated individuals were seen celebrating nearby [2]. He claimed to have visited the site the night before the theft and noted that the statue was intact at the time. The statue, which was welded at only two points, could have been easily pried loose and dumped into the lake by the group [1].

The Bitcoin community has largely condemned the incident. On X, one user described the act as “an absolute disgrace,” while a former VanEck executive called it “tasteless” and urged legal action to identify those responsible [1]. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino also commented on the recovery, expressing relief at the statue’s return [1]. Despite this, no legal action has been confirmed, and the identities of the perpetrators remain unknown.

The stolen statue is one of three such works, with others located in Tokyo and El Salvador. A petition is now circulating, calling for the damaged artwork to be restored [1]. While the creators have not yet responded to this request, the incident has sparked broader discussions about the security and cultural value of public works representing foundational figures in the cryptocurrency movement [2].

The event also coincides with increased mainstream interest in blockchain technology. Recent reports indicate that traditional financial institutions have made over 345 blockchain-related investments between 2020 and 2024, with the largest contributions coming from global systemically important banks [3]. While not directly connected to the statue’s theft, the report highlights the growing acceptance of blockchain and its cultural expressions [3].

Analysts suggest that the incident is unlikely to impact the broader cryptocurrency market, as it is more symbolic than economically significant [3]. However, it serves as a reminder of how cultural assets within the crypto ecosystem can be subject to unpredictable disruptions [2].

Source:

[1] Stolen Satoshi statue recovered in shambles, what really ... (https://crypto.news/stolen-satoshi-statue-recovered-in-shambles-what-really-happened/)

[2] Here's what happened in crypto today (https://cointelegraph.com/news/what-happened-in-crypto-today)

[3] Leap Digital Investments (https://leapdigitalinvestments.com.au/)