Statue of Mysterious Bitcoin Creator Stolen in Switzerland
A statue dedicated to the enigmatic creator of Bitcoin has been taken from Parcociani in Lugano, Switzerland. The theft has been confirmed by Satoshigarely, the organization leading the global Sato Statue Initiative. They are currently offering a reward of 0.1 Bitcoin, valued at over $11,000, for any information that leads to its recovery.
On Sunday, the group behind the “Where is Satoshi?” campaign posted on a social media platform, stating, “You can steal our symbols, but you can never steal our souls.” They reiterated their aim to install statues in 21 cities worldwide despite this setback.
This particular artwork was created by Italian artist and Bitcoin supporter Valentina Picozzi, constructed from 304 stainless steel and corten blocks, and was first announced last October.
The statue portrays a faceless figure working on a laptop, symbolizing the anonymity of Bitcoin’s creator and the idea that “we are all Sato.” Reportedly, it took 18 months to conceptualize and three months to build. The statue was unveiled in front of Villaciani during the Plan B Forum, an annual blockchain event co-hosted by the city of Lugano and Tether, the issuer of the stablecoin.
Mayor Michele Foretti described the statue as a reflection of Lugano’s dedication to digital innovation, stating, “Lugano is rapidly becoming a major hub for digital innovation. While this statue respects Nakamoto, it also embodies the progressive spirit that drives our city.”
This isn’t the first public art tribute to Nakamoto; in 2021, a bronze statue was unveiled at Graphisoft Park in Budapest. That design allows viewers to see themselves in the figure, reinforcing the notion that Sato could represent anyone.
Nakamoto’s Wealth Rise
Nakamoto theoretically became the 11th wealthiest person in the world after Bitcoin surged to $120,000 last month. It is estimated that Nakamoto holds around 1.096 million BTC, equating to more than $131 billion.
For Nakamoto to overtake Elon Musk as the world’s richest individual, Bitcoin would need to triple in value. Musk currently has a net worth exceeding $440 billion. The wallet linked to Nakamoto remains untouched, adding to the mystery surrounding the anonymous creator of Bitcoin.
