03.08.2025 17:09

The iconic bronze statue of Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, has been recovered from Lake Lugano in Switzerland following an act of vandalism. Initially tossed into the lake, the statue, a significant symbol of the global cryptocurrency movement, was retrieved in fragmented pieces by municipal workers. This confirmed that the incident was indeed an act of malicious destruction, not a theft.

The recovery was particularly noteworthy given the statue's relatively fragile construction. Welded only at two points on its base, the statue's lower legs remained attached, suggesting a deliberate attempt to damage, rather than steal, the artwork. Its location in Lugano's Parco Ciani, a prominent lakeside park, made the vandalism even more conspicuous.

Adding to the intrigue, the Satoshigallery art collective had offered a 0.1 Bitcoin reward for the statue's safe return. This initiative underscores the significance the Bitcoin community places on the statue as a representation of its history and creator. The community reacted swiftly and strongly to the vandalism, expressing widespread condemnation and demonstrating a powerful collective sense of solidarity. The successful recovery, therefore, signifies not just the restoration of a physical artwork, but also a reaffirmation of community spirit. The statue’s eventual restoration and reinstallation remain to be seen. News of the incident spread widely through internet sources.