In partnership with Tether, Lugano has unveiled a commemorative statue honoring Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin. The figure in the city’s picturesque Parco Ciani was uncovered during the annual Plan ₿ Forum, an event that attracts the Bitcoin community from around the world.
Satoshi Statue Unveiled in Lugano
At the unveiling, the city’s mayor, Michele Foletti, reaffirmed Lugano’s commitment to becoming a global hub for crypto and blockchain. He said:
“This statue is a tribute to the revolutionary vision of Satoshi Nakamoto and the transformative power of Bitcoin. Lugano is proud to honor the legacy of a figure who has changed the financial landscape forever.”
Footage posted by WatcherGuru, a media outlet, reveals the statue’s unveiling at the event. The figure depicts a glowy man sitting cross-legged, clad in a hood, intensely focused on a laptop while backing the waters of Lake Lugano.
The statue, designed by Valentina Picozzi, plays with perception, erasing from the eyes as the observer’s gaze shifts. This mirrors Nakamoto’s voluntary retreat from the public eye after inventing Bitcoin.
Reflecting Nakamoto’s pseudonymity, the statue symbolizes the shared identity of the Bitcoin community rather than a single individual. The inscription on the figure, “We are all Satoshi,” serves as a reminder that Bitcoin’s ownership and legacy belong to all.
Crypto Community Reacts
The recent unveiling of the Satoshi statue in Lugano, Switzerland, has garnered enthusiasm from the crypto community. An X user reacting to the update said, “It’s more than just a statue, it’s a symbol. Putting up a statue of Satoshi Nakamoto is a nod to the entire idea of decentralization, freedom, and financial innovation.”
“Lugano honoring Satoshi Nakamoto with a statue? This is more than just a tribute—it’s a bold statement embracing the future of decentralized finance. While some governments are still resisting, Switzerland’s already immortalizing the person (or people) who changed the game. Crypto isn’t just a trend—it’s becoming history!” another X user stated.
Lugano Keeps Supporting Crypto
Lugano has been actively promoting Bitcoin and blockchain technology through its Plan ₿ initiative, which aims to make the city a hub for blockchain technology. The city has partnered with Stablecoin firm Tether to create a 100M+ Swiss Franc investment pool for crypto startups and to promote the relocation of existing businesses.
The city’s ongoing Plan ₿ Forum event brought together technologists and entrepreneurs to discuss Bitcoin adoption and financial freedom. The event already featured prominent crypto figures as speakers, including Nick Szabo and Adam Back, co-founder of Blockstream — a blockchain technology company.
Meanwhile, the Lugano-based statue is not the first one in honor of the pseudonymous blockchain developer. Budapest, Hungary, is home to the world’s first Satoshi statue, unveiled by local crypto enthusiasts.
