Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Stolen in Switzerland, 0.1 BTC Reward Offered for Recovery

A Satoshi Nakamoto statue was stolen from Parco Ciani in Lugano, Switzerland, with vandals forcibly removing the bronze sculpture from its welded base and dumping it into nearby Lake Lugano.

Satoshigallery, the art collective behind the installation, offered a 0.1 Bitcoin reward worth approximately $12,000 for information leading to the statue’s recovery.

The theft occurred following Swiss National Day celebrations on August 1, with witnesses reporting the statue was still in place that evening.

Local investigators suspect intoxicated revelers from nearby outdoor cafes vandalized the monument before discarding it in the lake rather than attempting profitable theft.

Evidence at the scene included cutting marks on the plinth suggesting tungsten carbide cutting disks and petrol-powered angle grinders were used to sever the statue’s welded connections.

Only the feet remained attached to the mounting points, while the rest of the “Disappearing Satoshi” sculpture vanished.

The Lugano statue was part of Satoshigallery’s global campaign to install 21 Satoshi Nakamoto monuments worldwide, representing Bitcoin’s 21 million coin supply cap.

Other installations include statues in Budapest, Hungary (2021), Bitcoin Beach in El Salvador, and Tokyo, Japan, with plans for additional locations in development.

Satoshigallery condemned the vandalism while vowing to continue their mission, stating, “You can steal our symbol but you will never be able to steal our souls.”

The collective remains committed to replacing damaged monuments and expanding its global network of Bitcoin tributes.

The Satoshi statue movement began in Budapest on September 16, 2021, when Hungarian crypto journalist András Györfi unveiled the world’s first Nakamoto monument in Graphisoft Park.

The bronze bust was created by sculptors Tamás Gilly and Reka Gergely, and features a faceless, hooded figure with a mirrored surface allowing viewers to see themselves.

The Budapest design established the “we are all Satoshi” symbolism that became central to subsequent installations.

The reflective face represents Bitcoin’s decentralized nature and Nakamoto’s anonymity, while the hoodie became an iconic element replicated across multiple monuments.

Satoshigallery expanded the concept globally with their “Disappearing Satoshi” design unveiled in Lugano on October 25, 2024, during the city’s Plan ₿ Forum.

Artist Valentina Picozzi created the stainless steel and corten block sculpture depicting a seated figure at a laptop that appears to vanish when viewed from different angles.

The Tokyo installation followed in April 2025, continuing the campaign’s mission to spread Bitcoin culture through public art.

Each statue incorporates unique design elements while maintaining core themes of anonymity, decentralization, and community ownership of Bitcoin’s legacy.

The Lugano theft marks the first major vandalism incident affecting official Satoshi monuments, despite previous installations remaining untouched for years.

Municipal authorities are investigating the incident while crypto communities worldwide have rallied support for replacement efforts.

Satoshi Nakamoto’s estimated 1.096 million Bitcoin holdings reached a theoretical value of $132.8 billion as Bitcoin surged past $120,000 in July 2025.

Blockchain analytics firm Arkham estimates the fortune places Nakamoto 11th on global wealth rankings, surpassing tech magnate Michael Dell’s $125.1 billion net worth.

The dormant wallets have remained untouched since Nakamoto’s 2011 disappearance, with any movement potentially triggering massive market volatility.

Despite the enormous wealth, unknown parties continue sending tribute donations to Nakamoto’s Genesis Block address, including a recent $20,000 transfer in June.

Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas predicted Nakamoto could reach second place on billionaire rankings by 2026 if Bitcoin maintains typical 50% annual growth rates.

If bitcoin does its normal 50%/ann then Satoshi will pass Buffett this year and Zuck sometime next year-ish to be #2 richest in world (Elon has huge lead). It's fascinating to ponder that the founder of something so successful never cashed in. It echoes Jack Bogle in that regard https://t.co/tu9MRzUD5h

The fortune would need Bitcoin prices around $370,000 to surpass current wealth leaders like Elon Musk’s $404 billion net worth.

Identity speculation intensified in 2025 with researchers pointing to various candidates, including Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey.

Legal battles concluded with Craig Wright’s conviction for fraudulent claims to be Bitcoin’s creator, while HBO documentary filmmaker Cullen Hoback named Canadian developer Peter Todd as a potential candidate.

The statue vandalism coincides with renewed interest in Nakamoto’s identity and growing institutional Bitcoin adoption worldwide.

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