A public statue of the enigmatic Bitcoin creator was reported stolen from Lugano’s Parco Ciani, with Satoshigallery offering a 0.1 BTC reward for information leading to its recovery.
Key Takeaways:
- The “Disappearing Satoshi” illusion statue by Valentina Picozzi, installed in Lugano, has been reported missing.
- 0.1 BTC reward (worth over $11,000 at unveiling) is being offered by organizers via an X post.
- Lugano, positioning itself as a major European crypto hub, now faces scrutiny over public crypto-themed art security.
Satoshigallery announced today, August 3, 2025, that its renowned “Disappearing Satoshi” statue in Lugano, Switzerland went missing from its location in Parco Ciano early on August 2. Designed by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, the stainless‑steel and corten sculpture creates an optical illusion: it appears to vanish when viewed head‑on, symbolizing both Bitcoin’s pseudonymous founder and the ethos of privacy and decentralization.
The statue was first unveiled on October 25, 2024, during the Plan B Forum, which is a joint initiative by the city of Lugano and Tether, as part of an effort to solidify Lugano’s reputation as a city embracing Bitcoin.
Upon the confirmation that the statue literally disappeared, Satoshigallery made an X post to let everyone know about what happened, while offering a reward of 0.1 BTC to anyone that could help about the statue’s whereabouts.
Where is Satoshi? We are offering 0.1 BTC to whoever will help us recovering the Statue… You can steal our symbol but you will never be able to steal our souls.
The statue’s disappearance was first reported by X user @Grittoshi, who believed it was discarded in a lake next to where the statue it situated. The disappearance was later confirmed by Bitcoin News through an X post, an hour after @Grittoshi’s statement.
Although local authorities have launched an investigation, no suspects have yet been identified and the statue has not been located. Speculation within the crypto community ranges from vandalism or protest to a high-profile art theft. As of now, the reward remains in place and the public is urged to provide any leads.
Reddit users highlighted the poignancy of the theft, with one writing:
That sucks and that’s why we can't have nice things.
Others quipped:
Not your keys, not your statue.
Price & Market Impact
As of writing (1:00 PM UTC), Bitcoin (BTC) trades around $113,859, up 0.5% from the previous close, according to CoinGecko’s latest market statistics. Intraday volatility remains subdued, with a high of $114,135 and low of $112,107. This incident has had no measurable market impact or deviation in technical indicators such as RSI. Trading volumes appear to remain steady, suggesting the theft has drawn attention more as cultural symbolism rather than a market catalyst.
What’s Next
Despite its disappearance, the statue’s creators and the broader crypto art community are undeterred. Satoshigallery reaffirmed their commitment to installing statues in 21 global cities, emphasizing that the theft will not disrupt their mission to celebrate Bitcoin’s cultural legacy.
The public awaits updates from investigators and hopes the reward incentivizes any witnesses or whistleblowers. For now, the theft serves as a cautionary tale: as Bitcoin-themed art gains cultural capital, the need for safeguarding public installations becomes more pressing.
Summary
On August 2, 2025, the “Disappearing Satoshi” statue honoring Bitcoin’s mysterious creator was stolen from Parco Ciani in Lugano, Switzerland. The artwork, created by Valentina Picozzi, was unveiled during the 2024 Plan B Forum as a symbol of decentralization. Satoshigallery is offering a 0.1 BTC reward for information. The incident sparked widespread reaction in the crypto community, though it has had no impact on Bitcoin’s price, which remains near $113,859. The theft underscores rising attention toward Bitcoin-themed public art and highlights growing concerns over securing crypto cultural installations.
