A new “disappearing” Satoshi Nakamoto statue by Valentina Picozzi has been installed at the NYSE, marking Bitcoin’s cultural rise as institutions accumulate millions of BTC.
Summary
- A new Satoshi Nakamoto statue by artist Valentina Picozzi has been installed at the New York Stock Exchange, brought by Bitcoin firm Twenty One Capital.
- The work is part of a 21-piece global “disappearing Satoshi” series, echoing Bitcoin’s 21 million supply cap and following earlier installations in Switzerland, El Salvador, Japan, Vietnam, and Miami.
- The NYSE placement coincides with rising institutional adoption, as public firms, private companies, countries, and ETFs collectively hold over 3.7 million BTC worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
A statue depicting Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto has been installed at the New York Stock Exchange, according to an announcement posted on social media platform X on Wednesday.
The artwork, created by artist Valentina Picozzi, was brought to the NYSE by Bitcoin (BTC) company Twenty One Capital, which began trading this week. The installation represents the sixth piece in a global series planned to reach 21 locations worldwide, matching Bitcoin’s capped supply of 21 million tokens.
Satoshi sculptures going viral
The statue’s arrival at the NYSE occurred near the anniversary of the Bitcoin mailing list, which Nakamoto launched on Dec. 10, 2008. Nakamoto mined the genesis block on Jan. 3, 2009, creating the first 50 Bitcoins. On May 22, 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz made the first documented Bitcoin purchase, spending 10,000 Bitcoin to buy two Papa John’s pizzas.
Picozzi has developed the “disappearing” Satoshi series under her Satoshigallery handle. The design features Nakamoto as a figure in a seated pose with a laptop, positioned as if fading into the surroundings. Five other statues in the series have been placed in Switzerland, El Salvador, Japan, Vietnam, and Miami, Florida.
Public companies, private companies, countries, and exchange-traded funds now hold more than 3.7 million bitcoins collectively, according to data provider Bitbo. The total value exceeds $336 billion.
Bitcoin has gained increased acceptance among Wall Street institutions in recent years. Major financial firms have expanded participation through exchange-traded funds and direct Bitcoin purchases for corporate treasuries. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink is among financial executives who have expressed interest in the asset class after previously expressing skepticism.
The installation at the NYSE marks a shift from earlier periods when cryptocurrency faced resistance from traditional financial institutions and regulatory scrutiny.
