Michaela
Summary: What happened to the Satoshi statue in Lugano?
The Satoshi Nakamoto statue was stolen from Parco Ciani and thrown into Lake Lugano by unknown individuals. It was later recovered in multiple pieces, with only the welded feet left on the pedestal. The incident sparked public outrage and renewed discussion about Bitcoin’s cultural significance.
The missing “disappearing” statue of Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, has been recovered. Satoshigallery, the art collective behind the installation founded by Italian artist and Bitcoin advocate Valentina Picozzi, confirmed the artwork’s return days after it was reported stolen.
In an X post, the Satoshigallery thanked the Municipality of Lugano for aiding in the recovery of its Satoshi statue, which was reported missing over the weekend. The statue was later discovered to have been thrown into Lake Lugano after being removed from its base in Parco Ciani by unidentified individuals.
Authorities suspect vandalism in the case of the Satoshi statue, which was recovered in multiple pieces following its removal from its original site. The statue had been secured to its base at just two welded points on the feet, which remained attached to the pedestal after the rest of the structure was removed.
Satoshigallery announced a reward of 0.1 BTC, valued at over $11,000 according to current market rates, for information leading to the recovery of the Satoshi statue.
X user Gritto suggested that intoxicated youths celebrating Swiss National Day on August 1 may have been involved in the disappearance of the Satoshi statue. Present at the location that night, Gritto noted the statue was still in place during their visit and speculated the individuals might have been engaging with the statue in a playful manner. Additionally, Gritto proposed that the statue could have been thrown into the lake, an assertion made prior to the official confirmation of its recovery from the water.
The online community strongly condemned the vandalism of the Bitcoin creator’s statue, with X user Bitcoin Morfeo calling it a “disgrace.” Gabor Gurbacs, founder and CEO of PointsVille and former Director of Digital Asset Strategy at VanEck, also voiced his condemnation of the act. “Such a tasteless and stupid thing to do. Hope they find who did it,” Gurbacs wrote.
The recovery of the statue not only restores a cherished symbol for the Bitcoin community but also spotlights how deeply intertwined digital assets have become with public expression and cultural identity.
What began as an artistic tribute to a pseudonymous creator has evolved into a focal point for dialogue about the values of decentralization, privacy, and freedom that Bitcoin represents. The incident has sparked conversations not just about vandalism, but about the vulnerability and power of symbols in the digital age.
As this artwork returns to its rightful place, the global crypto community is reminded that while code may be immutable, the ideas it represents must also be protected, celebrated, and passed on.
Read More
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- Craig Wright Penalized for False Satoshi Claims and Contempt of Court in UK Ruling
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
