Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Recovered After Lake Vandalism

- Municipality recovers vandalized Bitcoin statue from Lake Lugano. - Incident sparks outrage and renewed dedication to Bitcoin symbolism. On August 3, 2025, the Lugano municipality recovered the iconic statue of Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto after vandals damaged the artwork and threw it into Lake Lugano. The statue, a significant symbol for the cryptocurrency community, was found in pieces, confirming the act was deliberate vandalism rather than theft for monetary gain. Satoshigallery, the art collective behind the statue, confirmed its recovery. Created by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, the statue was unveiled by the collective in October 2024 to represent Bitcoin’s influence and the philosophy of decentralization. The statue's destruction caused widespread outrage, leading to speculation that possible perpetrators included “drunk” partygoers during Swiss National Day celebrations. To help locate the statue, Satoshigallery offered a 0.1 BTC reward, valued at over $11,000 at the time. Despite the damage, the collective reaffirmed its commitment to Bitcoin’s principles by announcing plans to install similar statues in 21 locations worldwide as a testament to Bitcoin’s resilience and global impact. The incident garnered significant attention on social media, with notable figures in the cryptocurrency industry, such as Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, reacting to the event.