The Satoshi Nakamoto statue, symbolizing the founder of Bitcoin, was stolen and vandalized in Switzerland. The incident has sparked significant reaction in the crypto community.
Statue of Satoshi Disappears
On August 3, 2025, Satoshigallery announced that the Satoshi Nakamoto statue was stolen from its location in Lugano, Switzerland. The statue, unveiled last year, depicted a life-sized black steel figure in a hoodie designed to reflect the anonymity of its creator. After the theft, only the two feet that were bolted to the base remained.
The team offered a 0.1 BTC reward for any information regarding the statue's whereabouts.
Investigation of the Incident
Hours after the statue's theft, reports indicated that it had been found dumped in a nearby lake, but it was damaged. The Satoshigallery thanked the city of Lugano for their assistance in recovering the statue; however, details about the event remained undisclosed. A user on platform X, Gritto, suggested that a group of drunken youths celebrating nearby might be responsible for the incident.
Reaction from the Bitcoin Community
The incident drew widespread attention within the Bitcoin community. One member described the act as 'an absolute disgrace,' while a former VanEck executive condemned the theft and vandalism as 'tasteless.' Tether's CEO, Paolo Ardoino, celebrated the recovery of the statue, though the details regarding the perpetrators of the vandalism are still unknown.
The incident involving the Satoshi Nakamoto statue captures the attention of both the crypto industry and the public. It raises questions about the culture of respect surrounding symbols linked to significant advancements in technology.
