A bronze statue of Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, was stolen from its welded base in Parco Ciani shortly after Swiss National Day celebrations.
Vandals cut the sculpture free using what appears to be tungsten carbide discs and petrol-powered angle grinders, then dumped the “Disappearing Satoshi” installation into nearby Lake Lugano. Witnesses say the monument stood intact on the evening of August 1, only to vanish by dawn.
Reward and Investigation
Art collective Satoshigallery immediately offered a 0.1 BTC reward, about $12,000, for information leading to the statue’s recovery. Local police are probing the crime scene, where only the statue’s feet remain bolted to the plinth.
Investigators believe intoxicated revellers from nearby outdoor cafes carried out the vandalism, noting no signs of an attempt to profit from the theft.
Global Monument Campaign
The Lugano piece belongs to a series of 21 Satoshi monuments planned worldwide, symbolising Bitcoin’s 21 million coin supply cap.
The campaign began in Budapest on September 16, 2021, with a mirrored-face bust by Tamás Gilly and Reka Gergely at Graphisoft Park. That first statue introduced the “we are all Satoshi” theme, using reflection to emphasise the network’s decentralisation and community ownership.
Design and Expansion
In October 2024, Satoshigallery unveiled the “Disappearing Satoshi” design in Lugano during the Plan ₿ Forum. Crafted by Valentina Picozzi, the sculpture features a seated hooded figure at a laptop made from stainless steel and corten block.
Its form appears to vanish from certain angles, reinforcing the mystery around Nakamoto’s identity. A Tokyo installation followed in April 2025, and future sites are under development.
Also Read: Peter Todd Denies HBO’s Assertion Of Being Bitcoin Creator Satoshi Nakamoto
Artistic Message and Response
After news of the theft, Satoshigallery condemned the act but vowed to continue the project. “You can steal our symbol, but you will never be able to steal our souls,” the collective said in a statement.
They plan to replace damaged monuments and press on with installations that celebrate Bitcoin’s culture and principles.
Satoshi’s Legacy and Wealth
Now, Nakamoto’s legacy looms large in finance. Estimates put holdings in dormant wallets at about 1.096 million BTC, valued at roughly $132.8 billion after Bitcoin passed $120,000 in July 2025.
That fortune would rank Nakamoto 11th on global wealth lists, edging out Michael Dell’s $125.1 billion net worth according to Arkham analytics. Despite this, the coins have not moved since Nakamoto’s 2011 disappearance.
Ongoing Speculation
The identity of Satoshi Nakamoto remains a hot topic. This year saw renewed claims and counterclaims, with some researchers pointing to figures like Jack Dorsey.
Craig Wright was legally ruled to have falsified his claim to be Nakamoto, while an HBO documentary suggested Canadian developer Peter Todd as a candidate. Meanwhile, tribute donations continue to arrive at the Genesis Block address, including a recent $20,000 transfer in June.
This Lugano incident marks the first major vandalism of an official Satoshi monument. Previous statues stood untouched for years, highlighting a shift in how public art and crypto culture intersect.
Also Read: Coinbase Director Suggests Kraken May Hold Clues To Satoshi Nakamoto’s Identity