Iconic Monuments Dedicated to Crypto Legends

The Satoshi Nakamoto Statue (Budapest, Hungary)

Hungary’s capital is home to the world’s first monument dedicated to Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious mastermind behind Bitcoin. The bronze bust, polished to a mirror finish, reflects a powerful idea: “Satoshi lives in all of us.”

Artists Róbert Gergely and Tamás Gilly designed this faceless sculpture, which was unveiled in Budapest’s Graphisoft Park on September 22, 2021. Its featureless face symbolizes Nakamoto’s enduring anonymity—a puzzle that many have tried to solve but none have succeeded (with many attempting to claim the name).

Want to uncover more about Bitcoin’s shadowy origin? Read our article, “Who is Satoshi Nakamoto – the mysterious Bitcoin creator?”

Budapest boasts another statue that resonates with crypto lovers: the Anonymous monument at Vajdahunyad Castle. This bronze figure, cloaked and hooded, hides its face in shadow.

But don’t be fooled—it has no relation to Satoshi Nakamoto or cryptocurrencies.

Sculpted by Miklós Ligeti and placed in the castle grounds in 1903, the statue pays tribute to an unknown chronicler from the court of King Béla III. This mysterious figure is credited with writing Gesta Hungarorum, a medieval chronicle tracing the origins of the Hungarian people.

While the statue was erected long before Bitcoin’s invention, it gained newfound fame following the installation of Satoshi Nakamoto’s bust. Some opportunistic guides now entertain unsuspecting crypto tourists with claims that the Anonymous figure represents Bitcoin’s elusive founder. Others go further, suggesting it symbolizes the collective spirit of anonymous crypto developers.

These days, crypto fans gather on benches by Anonymous, honoring the philosophical roots of decentralization and privacy. It’s not uncommon to see Bitcoin trinkets and trading tokens left as offerings at the statue’s feet.

The Satoshi Nakamoto Statue (Lugano, Switzerland)

On October 25, 2024, Lugano, Switzerland, became home to a new statue dedicated to Bitcoin’s enigmatic founder, Satoshi Nakamoto. The piece, created by artist Valentina Picozzi, was funded through Plan ₿, a joint initiative by Lugano’s government and Tether to advance Bitcoin adoption and blockchain integration.

The statue’s brilliance lies in its concept: viewed head-on, it almost disappears, but shift your perspective, and it becomes clear. According to Tether, this represents Nakamoto’s legacy—he pioneered decentralized finance yet chose to remain anonymous. The visual trick also encourages a fresh perspective to truly understand Bitcoin’s essence.

For more on this unique sculpture, read our article: “Switzerland Unveils Statue of Satoshi Nakamoto.”

Kyiv’s Digital Satoshi Monument (Ukraine)

In the heart of Kyiv, a virtual monument to Satoshi Nakamoto, the elusive creator of Bitcoin, was installed in September 2018. It stands at a historically charged site—where Lenin’s statue once loomed—at the intersection of Taras Shevchenko Boulevard and Khreshchatyk Street, near Bessarabska Square.

This isn’t your typical monument. It’s a 3D virtual figure, viewable only via augmented reality through a smartphone. The installation represents the principles of freedom, decentralization, and anonymity. The three-headed figure with robotic legs hints at the involvement of a robotics company that helped sponsor the project. 

The creation of the monument was driven by the Satoshi Nakamoto Republic community, who chose this site to signify the transition from a historical epoch to the modern digital era.

Kyiv’s Satoshi monument exemplifies how contemporary technologies can be employed to enshrine figures who have shaped our history.

Monument to Bitcoin (Ljubljana, Slovenia)

In 2018, Kranj—a small town 30 kilometers from Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana—became the site of the first monument dedicated to blockchain technology, the backbone of cryptocurrencies. It stands in front of the headquarters of Bitstamp, one of the oldest crypto exchanges, which was founded in Slovenia.

The monument itself is an imposing metal structure, weighing three tons and measuring seven meters across. It features the classic “B” symbol with two vertical lines, evoking both Bitcoin and blockchain.

This unique project emerged from a public initiative when local authorities encouraged citizens to submit ideas via Facebook. The Bitcoin monument quickly became one of the most popular proposals. Kranj’s mayor, Boštjan Trilar, highlighted the town’s strong connection to the tech industry, making the monument’s design especially relevant.

This project was made possible through the backing of two local blockchain companies: 3fs, specializing in software development, and Bitstamp, a renowned crypto exchange. Their funding helped create more than an architectural feature—it became a symbol of Slovenia’s progressive stance on the digital economy.

DOGE Statue (Sakuragawa, Japan)

A bronze Shiba Inu rests atop a stone pedestal, with engraved phrases like “Such Wow” and “Much Honor,” capturing the spirit of the Doge meme.

Unveiled on November 2, 2023, in Ibaraki Prefecture—where Kabosu’s former owner resides—the monument brought together the crypto community and Dogecoin fans to honor the iconic pup. Kabosu was seriously ill at the time, and her owners feared she wouldn’t live to see the tribute completed.

Funded by the Dogecoin community through a crowdfunding campaign, the monument saw donations from anonymous backers and well-known crypto influencers. The Dogecoin Foundation, Twitter and Reddit communities, and various crypto enthusiasts were key contributors. Elon Musk’s name is frequently mentioned among the donors, though no official confirmation of his involvement has been provided.

Explore the life of Kabosu, the legendary dog who lived over 18 years and inspired countless charitable acts in our article, “Doge’s Canine Icon, Kabosu, is Still Going Strong!”