Emre Yumlu 
The iconic statue dedicated to Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, and recognized globally as a symbol of the crypto community, has resurfaced after a recent incident in Lugano, Switzerland. The statue, which was reported stolen over the weekend, was found by municipal workers submerged in Lake Lugano. According to a statement from the art collective Satoshigallery, the statue had been removed from its place in Parco Ciani, a park near the lake, and thrown into the water after being dismantled.
Statue Found in Pieces
The statue was retrieved from the lake in several broken parts by Lugano city workers, indicating the event may have been an act of vandalism rather than theft. It was noted that the statue had only been welded to the base at two points on its feet, making it relatively easy to detach. Following its disappearance, Satoshigallery offered a reward of 0.1 BTC (approximately $11,000) to anyone who could help recover it.
“You Can Steal Our Symbol, But Never Our Soul”
Created by Italian artist and Bitcoin advocate Valentina Picozzi, the statue was unveiled in October 2024 and had since become a strong emblem of the Bitcoin community. According to the artist, the planning and construction of the statue took a total of 21 months. The attack drew strong reactions from the community. Pointsville CEO Gabor Gurbacs expressed his frustration on X, stating, “Such a tasteless and foolish act… I hope the perpetrators are caught.”
Some users speculated that intoxicated individuals during the August 1st Swiss National Day celebrations might be responsible for the vandalism. Bitcoin advocate Gritto shared a similar opinion. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino responded to the statue’s recovery with just a heart emoji. Satoshigallery, on the other hand, released a resilient message saying, “You can steal our symbol, but never our soul.” The collective also reaffirmed its commitment to placing similar statues in 21 locations around the world.
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