Stolen Satoshi statue recovered in pieces, community still in shock, demands urgent answers

On August 3, 2025, the creators behind Satoshigallery confirmed that one of the three life-sized statues of Bitcoin’s elusive founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, had been stolen and severely damaged in Lugano, Switzerland. The stolen Satoshi statue, once perched at Parco Ciani overlooking Lake Lugano, was discovered missing in the early hours of the morning. By afternoon, it was found submerged and shattered in a nearby lake.

The statue, a black steel figure in a hoodie with a fragmented design symbolizing anonymity, had been installed in 2024 to honor the mysterious creator of Bitcoin. It was previously bolted to its base, but only the statue’s feet remained after the theft.

“We are offering 0.1 BTC to whoever will help us recover the Statue of Satoshi Nakamoto that was stolen yesterday in Lugano,” the Satoshigallery team posted on X (formerly Twitter), shortly after confirming the incident.

Where is Satoshi?

We are offering 0.1 btc to whoever will help us recovering 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.

Thank you all for the nice messages.

We are all in this… https://t.co/cAGCqg4CuP pic.twitter.com/iGrBOdVYhe

— Satoshigallery (@satoshigallery) August 3, 2025

Later that day, local authorities recovered the stolen Satoshi statue, but not intact. Photos released by the gallery showed the monument in disrepair, with multiple broken segments, reinforcing suspicions of deliberate vandalism.

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Swiss National Day may have fueled reckless destruction

While the exact motive behind the attack remains unclear, emerging eyewitness accounts suggest the vandalism of the stolen Satoshi statue may have been a byproduct of intoxicated celebrations during Swiss National Day on August 1.

An X user named Gritto, who claims to have been present at the scene, said he noticed a group of “drunk youngsters” gathered near the statue late into the night. The group reportedly lingered near a bustling open-air café adjacent to the monument.

“I saw them messing around. The statue was still there when I left,” — Gritto, eyewitness account via X.

According to his statement, the group may have removed the statue by exploiting its minimal anchoring points. Unable to carry the heavy structure far without attracting attention, they likely dumped it into the lake.

Authorities have not confirmed this version of events, and as of publication, no official arrests have been made. The stolen Satoshi statue incident has raised concerns about local security, especially during national festivities.

Outrage and condemnation from crypto leaders

The attack has sparked strong reactions from across the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Influential voices within the Bitcoin community condemned the act as senseless and disrespectful to the principles of decentralization and innovation that Satoshi Nakamoto represents.

“This is an absolute disgrace. The statue stood for more than just a figure — it was a symbol of freedom and financial autonomy,” — Morfeo, Bitcoin advocate, via X.

Former VanEck executive Gabor Gurbacs criticized the perpetrators, calling the act “tasteless and criminal,” and urged local authorities to take decisive legal steps.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, a known supporter of crypto public art in Lugano, expressed relief at the statue’s partial recovery but demanded transparency and accountability.

“I’m glad it was found, but this must not be brushed aside. We must protect the symbols that represent our collective mission,” — Paolo Ardoino, CEO, Tether.

The stolen Satoshi statue is one of only three such installations worldwide, with the other two located in Tokyo and El Salvador — both considered major hubs of Bitcoin advocacy.

Calls for restoration and better protection

While Satoshigallery has thanked the city of Lugano for assisting in the recovery, the group has not disclosed plans for legal action or confirmed any suspects. They have, however, launched a petition to restore the stolen Satoshi statue to its former glory.

Supporters across social platforms are urging authorities to investigate thoroughly and improve site surveillance around culturally significant crypto landmarks.

“This kind of destruction sends a terrible message. If crypto is to thrive publicly, we must secure our public symbols,” said Anna Müller, co-founder of CryptoArt Europe, in a statement to Swiss Blockchain Journal.

The Lugano statue, often visited by tourists and crypto enthusiasts, had been a focal point of the city’s efforts to become a European crypto hub. With the incident making headlines globally, it remains to be seen whether this act of vandalism will stall or strengthen Lugano’s crypto initiatives.

For now, the stolen Satoshi statue stands as a bruised but not broken emblem of the ongoing cultural battle over Bitcoin’s legacy — and the physical space it occupies.