Recovery of Iconic Artwork Marks New Chapter in Cryptocurrency Hub’s Vandalism Incident

Satoshi Nakamoto Statue Recovered After Vandalism in Swiss Bitcoin Hub

In a shocking turn of events, the iconic Satoshi Nakamoto statue in Lugano, Switzerland has been recovered after being reported stolen on Saturday. The artwork, created by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi and unveiled in October 2024 as part of Lugano’s efforts to establish itself as a global Bitcoin destination, was found broken into several pieces in Lake Lugano on Sunday.

The statue, which quickly became a flagship symbol for both local Bitcoin adoption efforts and the global cryptocurrency community, was discovered by municipal workers. The damage pattern suggests that the incident was vandalism rather than theft for monetary gain. According to eyewitnesses, unknown individuals had removed the statue from its base in Parco Ciani park, leaving only the feet attached.

This unprecedented act of vandalism sparked a strong reaction within the Bitcoin community, with many supporters expressing disgust and defiance at the attack on what has become an iconic representation of the digital currency movement. Pseudonymous advocate Gritto theorized that drunk partygoers celebrating Swiss National Day may have been responsible for the vandalism.

In response to the incident, Satoshigallery, the art collective behind the installation, quickly offered a reward of 0.1 BTC (over $11,000) for any information leading to the recovery of their work. Their commitment to their original vision remains unwavering despite this setback. The group will continue to install similar Satoshi Nakamoto statues in 21 locations worldwide.

The sudden recovery of the damaged artwork comes just over a week after Satoshigallery unveiled their third Satoshi Nakamoto statue in Tokyo, Japan.

Source: coincentral.com