Disappearing Satoshi statue in Lugano stolen, 0.1 BTC supplied for its return

A statue honoring the mysterious Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto has been stolen from Parco Ciani in Lugano, Switzerland.

The theft was confirmed by Satoshigallery, the group behind the worldwide Satoshi statue initiative, which is now providing a 0.1 Bitcoin (BTC) reward (price over $11,000) for info resulting in its restoration.

“The place is Satoshi?” the group posted on X on Sunday. “You may steal our image however you’ll by no means be capable of steal our souls,” the assertion learn, reaffirming their dedication to put in the statue in 21 cities around the globe regardless of the setback.

The art work, designed by Italian artist and Bitcoin advocate Valentina Picozzi, was crafted from 304 stainless-steel and corten blocks. It was unveiled in October final yr.

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Bitcoin’s anonymity and collective id

The Lugano statue incorporates a faceless determine at a laptop computer and is engineered to vanish when considered from the entrance or again, symbolizing the anonymity of Bitcoin’s creator and the concept that “we’re all Satoshi.”

The idea reportedly took 18 months of examine and three months to construct. The statue was positioned in entrance of Villa Ciani through the Plan B Discussion board, a yearly blockchain occasion co-hosted by the town of Lugano and stablecoin issuer Tether.

Mayor Michele Foletti referred to as the statue a mirrored image of Lugano’s dedication to digital innovation. “Lugano is quickly changing into a number one hub for digital innovation, and this statue honors Satoshi Nakamoto, but additionally embodies the forward-thinking spirit that drives our metropolis,” he stated on the time.

Notably, this isn’t the primary tribute to Nakamoto in public artwork. In 2021, a bronze statue was unveiled in Budapest’s Graphisoft Park, designed with a mirrored face so viewers see themselves within the determine, referencing the concept that Satoshi might be anybody.

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Nakamoto turns into eleventh richest particular person

Nakamoto grew to become the world’s eleventh richest particular person, at the very least in concept, after Bitcoin reached $120,000 final month. Nakamoto is believed to regulate 1.096 million BTC, price over $131 billion.