The renowned Satoshi Nakamoto statue, a striking piece by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, has made an unexpected splash—literally. After vanishing from its spot in Lugano, Switzerland, the enigmatic artwork has been fished out of a nearby lake, according to an announcement from Satoshigallery on the social platform X. Missing since August 3, this illusionary masterpiece, which cleverly merges physical form with digital code, found itself in watery repose—a twist almost befitting the crypto world’s own mysterious origins. For more on the statue’s initial disappearance, see our article on Where Is Satoshi Nakamoto? Statue Honoring the Bitcoin Creator Gets Stolen in Lugano.
The Mystery of the Missing Monument
Unveiled on October 25, 2024, at Plan B’s Bitcoin Forum, the statue quickly became a symbol of the city’s ambition to establish itself as a global bitcoin hub. Just days ago, its sudden disappearance prompted a flurry of speculation and concern. The first whispers of its absence came from X user @Grittoshi, who theorized that the theft might have been a reckless act tied to the festivities of Swiss National Day, observed on August 1. “There are cameras everywhere,” Grittoshi noted, suggesting the statue was likely tossed into the lake in the midst of celebratory chaos.
In response to the statue’s disappearance, Satoshigallery offered a reward of 0.1 BTC for its recovery, boldly declaring, “You can steal our symbol but you will never be able to steal our souls.” As it turns out, the reward was not claimed, as the statue was soon retrieved from its aquatic hideaway. This incident was also covered in our article on Disappearing Satoshi statue in Lugano stolen, 0.1 BTC offered for its return.
Artistic Restoration and Community Response
What now lies ahead for the statue—and its devoted fans—remains a tale in progress. Valentina Picozzi has already hinted at the possibility of employing Kintsugi, a revered Japanese technique that highlights the beauty in brokenness by mending fractures with precious metals like gold and silver. This method not only restores functionality but also enriches the piece’s narrative, adding a layer of history to its already profound symbolism.
In light of the incident, a petition has emerged, urging the city of Lugano to provide logistical and security support to prevent future mishaps. Though the statue’s current condition is still being assessed, Picozzi has expressed her willingness to undertake restoration efforts independently—a gesture underscoring her commitment to the artwork and its message.
Implications for Lugano and the Crypto Community
The statue’s brief disappearance—now a quirky footnote in its history—underscores a larger dialogue about the intersection of art, identity, and digital finance. As Lugano continues its quest to become a beacon for bitcoin enthusiasts, the incident raises questions about the security of public crypto art installations. Moreover, it highlights the passionate community that rallies around such symbols, ready to defend and restore them, even when they face unexpected challenges.
Despite the hiccup, Satoshigallery remains undeterred in its mission to place Satoshi statues in 21 locations around the globe, a nod to Bitcoin’s 21 million coin cap. This episode, while disruptive, has only reinforced the community’s resolve to promote and protect the ideals embodied by Satoshi Nakamoto.
As the dust settles—or perhaps, as the water dries—one thing is clear: the spirit of innovation and resilience that defines the crypto world continues to thrive. The saga of the Satoshi statue is far from over, promising future chapters that will undoubtedly captivate both art aficionados and crypto enthusiasts alike.
Source
This article is based on: Missing Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Is Recovered in Lugano
Further Reading
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Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.
