Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Stolen in Switzerland: Symbol of Bitcoin Vanishes
A statue honoring the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, has been stolen from Parco Ciani in Lugano, Switzerland. The theft has sparked both outrage and curiosity in the global crypto community, with many wondering—“Where is Satoshi?” now taking on a whole new meaning.
Reward Offered for Return of the Statue
The organization behind the global “Satoshi Statue” project, Satoshigallery, confirmed the theft and is offering a 0.1 BTC reward (worth over $11,000) for any information that leads to the statue’s recovery.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the group stated:
“You can steal our symbol, but you will never be able to steal our souls.”
They also reaffirmed their commitment to install similar statues in 21 cities worldwide, despite this unexpected setback.
A Statue That Symbolized Anonymity
The stolen artwork was created by Italian artist and Bitcoin advocate Valentina Picozzi. Crafted from 304 stainless steel and corten blocks, the statue depicted a faceless figure at a laptop—a design intended to represent the anonymity and decentralized identity of Bitcoin’s creator.
Its most striking feature? The figure appears to vanish when viewed directly from the front or back, a powerful nod to the elusive nature of Nakamoto and the idea that “we are all Satoshi.”
The project took 18 months of planning and 3 months to build, and the statue was officially unveiled in October 2024 during the Plan B Forum—a blockchain-focused event co-hosted by the city of Lugano and Tether.
Lugano’s Embrace of Digital Innovation
At the time of the statue’s unveiling, Lugano’s Mayor Michele Foletti described the piece as a reflection of the city’s vision:
“Lugano is rapidly becoming a leading hub for digital innovation, and this statue honors Satoshi Nakamoto, but also embodies the forward-thinking spirit that drives our city.”
Not the First Tribute to Nakamoto
This isn’t the first public monument dedicated to Bitcoin’s mysterious founder. Back in 2021, a bronze statue was unveiled in Budapest’s Graphisoft Park, featuring a mirrored face that allowed viewers to see themselves in Satoshi’s place—highlighting the collective identity behind the Bitcoin movement.
Nakamoto’s Growing Wealth Adds to the Mystery
As Bitcoin recently hit $120,000, Satoshi Nakamoto’s estimated holdings of 1.096 million BTC are now worth over $131 billion—making them the 11th richest person in the world, at least on paper. However, none of these coins have ever moved, fueling even more speculation and mystique around who Nakamoto really is.
To surpass Elon Musk, the current richest individual with over $404 billion, Bitcoin would need to more than triple in value.
Final Thoughts: A Symbol Stolen, But Not Forgotten
While the physical statue may be missing, its message remains powerful: Bitcoin is not just a currency, it’s a movement. The disappearance of the Satoshi statue in Lugano may be a setback, but it has only strengthened the resolve of those who believe in Bitcoin’s decentralized, anonymous roots.
As the Satoshigallery project moves forward with new installations, one thing is clear—you can steal a statue, but you can’t steal an idea.
CryptoNewsHub 
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