Iconic Crypto Artwork Vanishes from Swiss Park

The controversial "Disappearing Satoshi" statue commemorating Bitcoin's anonymous creator has been stolen from Lugano's Parco Ciani. Satoshigallery, the organization behind the global art project, confirmed the theft on August 3 and is offering 【0.1 BTC】 (worth approximately $11,000) for information leading to its recovery.

Digital Whodunit Captivates Crypto Community

Designed by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, the stainless steel sculpture featured a faceless figure working on a laptop—engineered to vanish when viewed head-on. ——This visual trick embodied Bitcoin's core philosophy of decentralized identity——, with organizers stating "you can steal our symbol but never our souls" in a social media post.

Swiss City's Tech Ambitions Disrupted

Unveiled during October's Plan B Forum, the artwork had become a landmark in Lugano's push to position itself as a European blockchain hub. Mayor Michele Foletti previously praised the installation as symbolizing the city's "forward-thinking digital innovation spirit." The theft occurred just months before the statue's planned relocation as part of a 21-city global tour.

Not the First Nakamoto Tribute Targeted

This incident follows a pattern of high-profile crypto art disappearances. In 2021, Budapest's mirrored-face Satoshi statue faced multiple vandalism attempts. Interestingly, the Lugano theft coincides with Nakamoto's theoretical net worth surpassing 【$131 billion】 as Bitcoin recently hit $120,000—making the anonymous creator history's 11th richest person.

Cryptic Clues and Community Response

Authorities remain tight-lipped about investigation details, but blockchain analysts note the 0.1 BTC reward mirrors amounts in Nakamoto's early Bitcoin transactions. As the search continues, the art world watches whether this theft will elevate the statue's cultural significance—or simply become another unsolved crypto mystery.