The Satoshi Nakamoto statue, a 2.5-meter bronze representation symbolizing the Bitcoin revolution and its elusive creator, was recently recovered from Lake Lugano after being deliberately vandalized and discarded during Swiss National Day celebrations. Municipal workers found the statue in multiple broken fragments scattered along the riverbank and submerged in the lake, with only the feet remaining attached to the pedestal. The manner of damage, characterized by intentional fragmentation rather than complete removal, suggests vandalism motivated by symbolic defiance rather than theft for economic gain. The statue’s limited anchoring, welded solely at the feet, exposed it to vulnerability, underscoring security weaknesses inherent in public art installations within the city. The incident has also highlighted ongoing challenges in protecting public art representing crypto icons. This event echoes broader concerns about security risks in decentralized and public crypto representations.
Commissioned by the art collective Satoshigallery and sculpted by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, the statue was uncovered in October 2024 after nearly two years of work. The collective promptly offered a reward of 0.1 BTC, equivalent to over $11,000, for information leading to the statue’s recovery. No response had been received from the collective at the time of publication. In response to the incident, Satoshigallery reaffirmed their commitment to the statue’s symbolism, emphasizing resilience by stating, “You can steal our symbol, but you will never be able to steal our souls.” Plans to install replicas in 21 cities worldwide remain active, aiming to reinforce Satoshi Nakamoto’s legacy and the global impact of decentralized finance. The collective also pledged to finance restoration, contingent upon enhanced security measures for future displays.
The local Bitcoin community responded with notable concern, condemning the vandalism as a tasteless act undermining a symbol of innovation and digital freedom. Prominent figures like Gabor Gurbacs and Paolo Ardoino publicly decried the damage, highlighting the statue’s emotional significance to the crypto ecosystem. Speculation regarding the perpetrators pointed toward intoxicated attendees of the national festivities, reflecting broader challenges in safeguarding outdoor cultural assets during large public events. The swift municipal recovery effort and ensuing media attention have elevated discourse on protecting symbols that embody technological progress and societal change.
