Shock in Lugano! The statue of Bitcoin’s creator, designed to vanish into code, is now physically gone. A 0.1 BTC bounty has been announced for those who can help retrieve it. Bitcoin’s message of decentralization echoes louder amidst the theft.

The mysterious creator of Bitcoin, known only as Satoshi Nakamoto, was recently honored with a unique statue in Lugano, Switzerland. Created by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, this innovative artwork used disappearing stripes to form an optical illusion of Satoshi fading into code. The statue was unveiled on October 25, 2024, during Plan B’s Bitcoin forum, symbolizing Lugano's ambition to become a global Bitcoin hub. 🌍

However, the statue has gone missing. Residents woke up to find the artwork vanished, with suspicions that it was thrown into a nearby lake. The theft was first reported on social media by user @Grittoshi. In response, Satoshigallery—the project behind the statue—has offered a reward of 0.1 BTC to anyone who can provide information leading to its recovery. 💰

Despite the loss, the creators remain undeterred. “You can steal our symbol but you will never be able to steal our souls,” they stated, committing to place the statue in 21 locations worldwide. This incident highlights the passionate spirit of the crypto community and the symbolic importance of Satoshi Nakamoto’s legacy. 🔗

Will Lugano’s dream of becoming a Bitcoin hub withstand this setback? The search is on, and the world watches closely. 👀