Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Stolen; 0.1 BTC Reward Offered
Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Vanishes in Lugano; Reward Announced
A statue commemorating Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, has been stolen from Parco Ciani in Lugano, Switzerland. Satoshigallery, the organization behind the global Satoshi statue project, confirmed the theft and is offering a 0.1 Bitcoin (BTC) reward, currently valued at over $11,000, for information leading to the statue's return.
"Where is Satoshi?" Satoshigallery posted on X, adding, "You can steal our symbol but you will never be able to steal our souls," while reaffirming their plans to install the statue in 21 cities worldwide.
The stolen artwork, designed by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, was unveiled in October of last year. It was constructed using 304 stainless steel and corten blocks.
The Statue's Significance
The Lugano statue was designed to represent both the anonymity and the collective spirit behind Bitcoin. The faceless figure at a laptop was engineered to "disappear" from certain angles, symbolizing that "we are all Satoshi."
The statue's concept took 18 months to develop and three months to build. Its placement in front of Villa Ciani coincided with the Plan B Forum, an annual blockchain event co-hosted by Lugano and Tether.
Lugano Mayor Michele Foletti previously described the statue as a symbol of the city’s commitment to digital innovation, stating that Lugano is rapidly becoming a leading hub.
Other Tributes to Satoshi
This is not the only public art tribute to Nakamoto. In 2021, a bronze statue with a mirrored face was unveiled in Budapest's Graphisoft Park, allowing viewers to see themselves as Satoshi, referencing the idea that anyone could be the creator.
Satoshi's Wealth
It's estimated that Satoshi Nakamoto controls 1.096 million BTC. At Bitcoin's recent high of $120,000, this would have made Nakamoto the world's 11th richest individual, with holdings worth over $131 billion. Despite this vast wealth, Nakamoto's wallets remain untouched, adding to the mystique surrounding Bitcoin's elusive founder.