The New York Stock Exchange has unveiled a new “disappearing” statue of Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto.
The artwork, installed this week by Bitcoin firm Twenty One Capital, reflects the growing overlap between traditional finance and crypto. The NYSE described the piece as a shared space between old financial systems and emerging technologies.
Artist’s Vision Comes to a Major Financial Landmark
This installation also marks an important milestone for artist Valentina Picozzi, known online as Satoshigallery.
In a post on X, she said the placement of her work at the NYSE surpassed her expectations and represented a major moment in her ongoing project.
The statue is the sixth in a planned series of 21, a number that mirrors Bitcoin’s capped supply of 21 million coins. By reaching such a high-profile venue, the project continues to gain global visibility.
This is such an achievement, even in our wildest dream we wouldn’t think about placing the statue of Satoshi Nakamoto in this location!
The 6th/21 statues of Satoshi Nakamoto found its home in the NYSE.
Thank you 🤩 https://t.co/iIEvZawAte
— Satoshigallery (@satoshigallery) December 10, 2025
The statue’s arrival aligns with the anniversary of the Bitcoin mailing list, which Satoshi Nakamoto launched on December 10, 2008. This event represented one of the earliest milestones in Bitcoin’s development. Additionally, it served as a forum for initial discussions regarding the protocol’s design.
Bitcoin’s Timeline From Genesis to Adoption
Bitcoin’s evolution since then highlights the transformations that brought it to Wall Street’s doorstep. The network’s first block, known as the genesis block, was mined on January 3, 2009, producing the initial 50 Bitcoins.
A year later, Bitcoin entered real-world commerce when programmer Laszlo Hanyecz used 10,000 Bitcoins to buy two Papa John’s pizzas on May 22, 2010.
These moments helped establish the currency’s viability but were followed by years of resistance from banks and policymakers. Some government actions were even described as attempts to restrict the industry through efforts labeled “Operation Chokepoint 2.0.”
Growing Institutional Interest in Crypto
Despite that backdrop, attitudes began to shift as major financial leaders reassessed the technology’s potential. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, once skeptical, has become one of several institutional figures embracing Bitcoin-focused products.
As interest grew, large institutions launched exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and began holding Bitcoin directly in their corporate treasuries.
According to data referenced from Bitbo, public and private entities, as well as ETFs, collectively hold over 3.7 million Bitcoins. The total value of these holdings exceeds $336 billion. This institutional participation adds context to the NYSE’s decision to host the new statue.
A Global Network of Satoshi Sculptures
The NYSE installation also expands Picozzi’s international footprint. She has already placed Satoshi sculptures in El Salvador, Switzerland, Vietnam, Japan, and Miami, each contributing to a global tribute to Bitcoin’s anonymous creator.
Last year, Picozzi said the design evokes a sense of presence through absence, reflecting how Satoshi exists today only in lines of Bitcoin code.
The statue depicts a hooded hacker with a laptop, honoring developers who have helped in building the Bitcoin ecosystem. Picozzi cites transparency and freedom as core values behind the sculpture’s design.