Switzerland Unveils Statue of Satoshi Nakamoto

posted  25 Oct 2024
Photo - Switzerland Unveils Statue of Satoshi Nakamoto
On October 25, a statue honoring Bitcoin's founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, was inaugurated in Lugano, Switzerland. The statue, crafted by Valentina Picozzi, was commissioned as part of Plan ₿—an initiative founded in partnership between Tether and the Lugano city government to foster BTC and blockchain adoption.
Unveiled at the 3rd annual Plan ₿ forum in front of Lugano’s Villa Ciani, the event was shared on social media by Bitcoin Magazine editor Pete Rizzo. Attendees included government officials, crypto industry leaders, and Bitcoin supporters.

The statue’s design is symbolic: it nearly disappears from a head-on view but becomes visible from the side. Tether notes that this represents Satoshi’s withdrawal from the public sphere after establishing the foundation for a new financial model, inviting a fresh perspective.
Lugano is rapidly becoming a leading hub for digital innovation, and this statue honors Satoshi Nakamoto but also embodies the forward-thinking spirit that drives our city,
said Michele Foletti, Mayor of Lugano.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino added that the statue stands as a testament to the transformative power of cryptocurrency, with Bitcoin's creator’s choice to step away illustrating true decentralization.

In a later post on X, Paolo Ardoino wrote, "We're all Satoshi (apart CW)," likely hinting at Craig Wright, the Australian businessman who has claimed to be Bitcoin’s creator, though this remains speculative.