04.08.2025 12:06

News sources report the unfortunate destruction of a Satoshi Nakamoto statue in Lugano, Switzerland. Initially reported stolen, the artwork was later discovered fragmented in Lake Lugano, near its original location in a popular park.

The vandalism occurred sometime after Switzerland's National Day celebrations on August 1st, a period when the lakeside park was bustling with activity. The statue, forcefully removed from its base, was found broken into numerous pieces, its only remaining connection to its pedestal being its feet.

While the incident remains under investigation, authorities and local residents suspect impulsive vandalism rather than a calculated theft. The presence of nearby surveillance cameras and the extensive damage to the statue suggest a spontaneous act, potentially committed by intoxicated individuals celebrating the national holiday. Speculation within the community points towards this explanation.

The statue, a creation of Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, a prominent Bitcoin advocate, was unveiled in October 2024. It served as a key component of Lugano's initiative to solidify its position as a leading Bitcoin hub. Its distinctive design, featuring fading stripes representing Satoshi Nakamoto's transition into the digital realm, had quickly become a recognized symbol of the city's crypto ambitions and a point of pride for the global Bitcoin community. The Lugano Plan B community is actively investigating the incident.