Tribute to Bitcoin’s Elusive Creator Disappears from Swiss Crypto Hub

Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Disappears in Lugano, Artist Offers Bitcoin Reward for Return

A striking tribute to Bitcoin’s anonymous creator has vanished from its home in Lugano, Switzerland.

The optical illusion statue of Satoshi Nakamoto — designed by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi — was reported stolen on August 4, 2025, leaving behind an empty patch of ground where the figure once stood. The installation, composed of metal slats arranged to reveal Nakamoto’s silhouette fading into binary code, had become a landmark since its unveiling in October 2024 during the Plan B Bitcoin Forum.

Commissioned as part of Lugano’s ambitious effort to position itself as a global crypto hub — backed by Swiss-Tether — the piece symbolized both the emergence of Bitcoin and the mystery of its inventor.

The first report of the theft came from social media user @Grittoshi, who speculated that the statue might have been thrown into the nearby lake. That theory remains unconfirmed.

In response, the artist collective Satoshigallery, led by Picozzi, offered a 0.1 BTC reward (currently worth over $11,000) for any information leading to the statue’s recovery. Their statement, posted on X, read:

“We are offering 0.1 BTC to whoever will help us recover the Statue of Satoshi Nakamoto that was stolen yesterday in Lugano.
You can steal our symbol, but you will never be able to steal our souls.
We are all in this together and committed to placing the statue in 21 places around the world.”

The statue’s removal has drawn attention not only because of its artistic and cultural significance, but also because of what it represents — a visual metaphor for Bitcoin’s origins, decentralization, and the enduring enigma of Satoshi Nakamoto.

As of now, there have been no official updates on the investigation or the statue’s whereabouts.