A new statue has recently taken its place in Hanoi, celebrating one of the most intriguing and enigmatic figures in modern history: the elusive creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto. According to Viet Nam News, this monument marks the fifth of its kind globally, contributing to the growing recognition of Nakamoto’s profound impact on technology and finance.
The statue is the artistic creation of Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, who has fashioned a thought-provoking tribute to Nakamoto. Funded and facilitated by the Vietnam Blockchain and Digital Asset Association (VBA), the artwork now resides at the headquarters of 1Matrix in Times City. Art lovers and crypto enthusiasts alike can view this unique installation every Saturday as part of the newly launched Blockchain Gallery, a space dedicated to exploring the intersection of art and technology.
Nakamoto’s contributions to the world are monumental. In 2008, they released a groundbreaking white paper introducing Bitcoin and the underlying blockchain technology, setting off a financial revolution. By early 2009, Nakamoto had not only launched the Bitcoin software but also mined the very first block, known as the “genesis block.” However, after a mere year, Nakamoto inexplicably vanished from public life. Their disappearance adds an aura of mystery that continues to fascinate researchers and the public alike. Nakamoto is believed to possess around 1.1 million Bitcoins, valued at upwards of $120 billion today, suggesting that this anonymous innovator could be among the wealthiest individuals in the world, as noted by Viet Nam News.
One particularly captivating aspect of the Hanoi statue is its design. The sculpture features a distinctive optical illusion: from one angle, Nakamoto’s profile is clearly visible, while from the front, the statue appears almost transparent. This clever design symbolizes the anonymity and obscurity surrounding Nakamoto’s identity, reinforcing the broader themes of privacy and secrecy that are central to Bitcoin’s ethos.
The installation of this statue adds to a global trend of recognizing Nakamoto’s influence. Cities around the world have embraced this phenomenon, with similar statues already unveiled in Hungary, El Salvador, Japan, and Switzerland. For instance, the Budapest sculpture, revealed in 2021, features a reflective bronze surface and bears the inscription “We are all Satoshi,” underscoring the collective ownership of the Bitcoin narrative. Meanwhile, a Swiss statue unveiled in 2024 controversially disappeared just months later, only to be recovered this past August, adding yet another layer to the ongoing saga surrounding Nakamoto.
The fascination surrounding Satoshi Nakamoto extends beyond the world of cryptocurrency; it touches on themes of innovation, anonymity, and the future of finance. The Hanoi statue serves as a beacon, drawing attention to Nakamoto’s mysterious legacy and the ongoing impact of Bitcoin and blockchain technology on everyday life.
