Satoshi vanishes for a second time as Swiss gallery offers 0.1 BTC to recover stolen statue

A mysterious theft at a Swiss gallery has seen the statue of Satoshi Nakamoto vanish, prompting Satoshigallery to offer a 0.1 BTC reward.

Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.

The Bitcoin art world has suffered a blow as the enigmatic statue of Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, has vanished from its current home in Lugano, Switzerland. The Satoshigallery, which curated and displayed the piece, has announced a reward of 0.1 BTC to anyone who can help recover the stolen statue, further deepening the mystery that shrouds both Satoshi Nakamoto and this distinctive work of art.

The Satoshigallery team took to X following the theft to offer a reward for its recovery and to reinforce its determination to place 21 Satoshi statues around the world. This mission is meant to echo Bitcoin’s 21 million coin limit, reinforcing the principles of scarcity, decentralization, and indestructibility. The gallery wrote:

“You can steal our symbol but you will never be able to steal our souls.”

Embodying the spirit of Satoshi Nakamoto

The statue was celebrated not just as a physical memorial, but for its conceptual brilliance. Designed to embody the spirit of Bitcoin’s elusive creator, the piece plays with perception and meaning, appearing invisible from the front, a clever nod to Nakamoto’s anonymity.

When viewed from the side, the form emerges, reminding viewers that Satoshi may be hidden, but always present within Bitcoin’s ethos, capturing how Nakamoto’s indelible impact remains at the very core of the crypto movement.

Support from the Bitcoin community

Messages of support have poured in from around the world, with members of the Bitcoin community expressing solidarity. For many, the statue is more than just art; it is a symbol of resilience, innovation, and the ongoing quest for financial sovereignty.

Tuur Demeester, Blockstream advisor and Bitcoin OG, commented:

“Very sad… Next one should maybe be in a few cubics of granite”

Founder of TIP Preston Pysh simply said:

“Even his statue disappears…”

As the search continues, the story of Satoshi (the person and the statue) reaffirms that some mysteries, in the digital age, only grow stronger with every attempt to erase them.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the statue of Satoshi Nakamoto is encouraged to contact the Satoshigallery team.

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