Who Stole the Satoshi Statue? The Bitcoin Community Rallies After a Symbol Is Vandalized

On August 2, Bitcoiner @Grittoshi posted images revealing the Satoshi Nakamoto statue's disappearance from Lugano, Switzerland. Following the news, Satoshigallery – the project behind the artwork – offered a 0.1 BTC reward (about $11,000) for its return. On August 3, municipal workers from Lugano found the statue in pieces in a nearby lake.

Artist Valentina Picozzi created the statue, installed at Lugano's Ciani Park in October 2024 as part of the Plan ₿ initiative by Tether and Lugano's city government.

Theories Behind the Statue’s Disappearance

@Grittoshi initially theorized the statue had been thrown into the lake—a prediction that proved accurate. In a post on X, he noted that the incident occurred on August 1, Switzerland’s National Day. Grittoshi speculated that intoxicated individuals dismantled the statue. Unable to transport it discreetly through the city, they likely disposed of it in the lake.

X user, @AkaBull_, suggested the vandalism might stem from Bitcoin-related financial losses and subsequent frustration. With no ransom demanded, the incident likely resulted from either deliberate vandalism or intoxicated misconduct.

Lugano Petition Seeks Support to Restore Vandalized Satoshi Statue

A Change.org petition urges Lugano to support restoring the vandalized Satoshi Nakamoto statue. The proposal outlines plans for artist Valentina Picozzi and Satoshigallery to recreate the statue at their own expense. Luca Esposito, spokesperson for the group behind the petition, said:

No financial contribution is being asked of the City, but only the commitment to logistically support the restoration and to identify, together with the artist, an appropriate and safe permanent location.

Esposito emphasized that the statue represents much more than a piece of art; it stands as a symbol of individual freedom, financial independence, and the right to privacy.

The metal Satoshi statue in Lugano is one of the most iconic crypto-related monuments, reflecting the mystery and creativity of Bitcoin’s anonymous creator. Its shifting perspective design—where parts disappear as viewers move – symbolizes how Satoshi vanished after revolutionizing finance. In addition to Lugano, Satoshigallery has also installed the statue in El Salvador and Tokyo, Japan.