Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Stolen and Vandalized in Lugano, Switzerland

A life-sized statue honoring Bitcoin’s enigmatic creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, was stolen from Lugano’s Parco Ciani on August 2, 2025, and later found vandalized in Lake Lugano, sparking outrage in the crypto community. Unveiled in October 2024 by Tether and Lugano’s Plan B initiative, the stainless steel and corten block sculpture, designed by Valentina Picozzi, featured a fading figure symbolizing Nakamoto’s anonymity. Satoshigallery, the organizing collective, offered a 0.1 BTC ($12,000) reward for recovery information, stating, “You can steal our symbol, but you will never steal our souls.”

The theft, reported on August 3, followed Swiss National Day celebrations, with witness Gritto suggesting intoxicated revelers used industrial tools to pry the statue loose, dumping it in the lake to avoid detection. Municipal workers recovered the broken pieces, and Lugano officials pledged to restore it while enhancing security at Parco Ciani. The incident, investigated as vandalism, has fueled speculation on X, with theories ranging from anti-crypto protests to pranks by short sellers.

Lugano, a Bitcoin hub accepting BTC for taxes, saw a dip in tourism post-theft, per local reports. Satoshigallery remains committed to its global mission, with statues in Tokyo and El Salvador, and plans for 18 more to celebrate Bitcoin’s 21 million coin cap. Despite this setback, the community’s resolve strengthens, viewing the vandalism as a testament to Bitcoin’s disruptive legacy.