András Györfi Speaks on Creating the Iconic Satoshi Statue Following HBO’s Spotlight
In an interview with CCN , András Györfi, the Hungarian journalist and entrepreneur, shares the story behind the creation of the world’s first statue of Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
The statue, unveiled in Budapest in 2021, gained widespread attention, particularly after being featured in HBO’s documentary on Bitcoin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI3xwlo92Ww
Györfi has long been a key figure in Hungary’s crypto community, editor of Kripto Akadémia and advocating for the growing blockchain space. A journalist by profession, Györfi’s fascination with Bitcoin began in 2017, leading him to play a pivotal role in bringing the Satoshi Nakamoto statue to life.
“I’ve always been a journalist and worked as an entrepreneur with online education sites and other web-based ventures,” Györfi shares. “I got interested in Bitcoin around 2017 and have since invested in various altcoins while managing my portfolio.”
Erecting the Satoshi Statue: A Collective Effort
While Györfi conceived the initial idea, the project was very much a collaborative one. “It took us about 9-10 months from the first concept to the unveiling. Building a statue is expensive, so we relied on crowdfunding and donations. Thankfully, the crypto community rallied, and we made it happen,” he explains.
Interestingly, Györfi points out that the statue is situated on private property, so they didn’t need to involve local authorities. “The park is technically private land owned by one of Hungary’s most successful entrepreneurs, though it functions like a public space.”
The Team Behind the Statue
The Satoshi Statue was made possible through the efforts of a dedicated team. Györfi led marketing and PR efforts through his work with Kripto Akadémia, while Gabi Debreczeni-Raskó from MrCoin also contributed on that front.
Kornél Kalocsai from Blockchain Hungary provided financial guidance, while Imre Szilágyi from Blockchain Budapest advised on public relations. The technical side was supported by Barnabás Debreczeni from MrCoin.
Together with the Hungarian crypto community and others, the Satoshi statue team ensured the successful completion of the first monument dedicated to Satoshi Nakamoto.
The Symbolism Behind the Statue
The statue’s location is Graphisoft Park, a privately owned office park in Budapest. The statue’s hooded figure features a reflective face, symbolizing the anonymity of Satoshi Nakamoto while inviting viewers to see themselves in the sculpture, reinforcing the idea that “we are all Satoshi.”
Györfi’s vision for the statue emerged as he contemplated the growing impact of blockchain and Bitcoin during the rise of NFTs. “The idea came to me when NFTs were emerging. I thought, why doesn’t Satoshi have a statue? He represents so much more than just Bitcoin; he symbolizes a movement against corruption and traditional financial systems.”
Why Does Satoshi Deserve a Statue?
Györfi firmly believes that Satoshi Nakamoto’s contributions warrant this global tribute. “Satoshi has achieved something revolutionary—not only in technology but also in establishing a new financial paradigm. He stands against centuries of financial oppression and corruption,” he says.
For Györfi, the statue is not just a tribute to an individual, but to the ideals of decentralization and financial freedom that Bitcoin represents.
Hungary’s Reaction to the Statue
Hungary’s reception of the statue was mixed. While the crypto community embraced it with pride, the general public remained skeptical about Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.
“The Hungarian crypto community was very happy, but the general public, as you might expect, reacted with skepticism’ Is this a scam?’ ‘Is it MLM?’ But that’s something we see everywhere, not just in Hungary,” Györfi explains.
Despite the criticism, the statue has become a landmark for crypto enthusiasts and was even featured as a central graphic element in HBO’s documentary, gaining renewed attention.
Has Satoshi Nakamoto Seen the Statue?
A question that naturally comes to mind is whether Satoshi Nakamoto might have seen the statue in person.
Györfi, like the rest of the world, doesn’t know who Satoshi is or whether he is still alive, but he offers a thoughtful answer.
Györfi explained, “I have no idea if Satoshi has seen it, and I don’t think we’ll ever know. He might have heard of it if he was alive, but I doubt he would visit. This is more important for us, the fans of his work, than for him.”
The Future of Bitcoin and Crypto
Looking ahead, Györfi is optimistic about Bitcoin (BTC)’s future, even predicting a bull run. He explained that “Bitcoin is in a great position for a bull run. From October until March 2025, we’ll probably see Bitcoin touch $100K or $120K. By 2025, the cycle may cool down, but Bitcoin will keep growing. In 5-10 years, I expect it to reach $500K, and possibly even $1 million.”
He also acknowledges the evolving landscape of crypto, noting that while there’s increasing diversity with AI coins, meme coins, and more, Bitcoin remains central to the market. “Bitcoin will always be the core,” Györfi asserts.
Györfis’s vision, combined with the talent of Hungarian sculptors and the support of the crypto community and his team, created the first global landmark for Bitcoin enthusiasts. Whether or not Satoshi Nakamoto has seen the statue, the monument will continue to validate and push Bitcoin toward global acceptance, inspiring a new generation of thinkers, developers, and crypto advocates.
