Where is Satoshi Nakamoto? Statue Honouring the Bitcoin Creator Gets Stolen in Lugano

The Satoshi Nakamoto statue, a unique sight-line illusion created by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, has been stolen from its location in Lugano, Switzerland. The artwork, which depicted the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin seemingly fading into code, was installed in late 2024 and unveiled on October 25th at Plan B’s Bitcoin forum. Its disappearance marks a significant event for Lugano, a city actively promoting itself as a global Bitcoin hub alongside SwissTether.

The theft was first reported on X (formerly Twitter) by user @Grittoshi, who speculated that the statue had been thrown into a nearby lake. This theory remains unconfirmed, and the statue’s current location is unknown. The incident occurred just over a week after the unveiling of a third Satoshi Nakamoto statue in Tokyo, Japan, as part of Picozzi’s larger Satoshigallery project.

Satoshigallery, responding to the theft, has publicly offered a reward of 0.1 BTC (approximately $2,700 at the time of writing, though the value of Bitcoin fluctuates) for information leading to the statue’s recovery. The statement released on X conveyed a defiant message, emphasizing the project’s resilience in the face of this setback. The theft, they asserted, cannot diminish the core principles of the project or the broader Bitcoin community.

The loss of the Lugano statue serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of public art, particularly when it is situated in an open environment. The statue’s unique design, relying on visual illusion rather than physical solidity, might have made it a more enticing target. Whether this was a random act of vandalism or a premeditated theft remains to be seen. The Lugano authorities have not yet commented publicly on the incident or indicated whether any investigation is underway.

Despite the theft, Satoshigallery plans to continue its project, aiming to install the statue in 21 locations worldwide. This ambitious goal demonstrates the group’s commitment to promote Bitcoin and its symbolic representation in the form of the Satoshi Nakamoto statue. The ongoing investigation into the theft adds another layer of intrigue to this already captivating story.