Every year on May 22, the crypto world celebrates Bitcoin Pizza Day—a lighthearted yet profound reminder of how far digital currency has come. This day commemorates the now-legendary transaction in which 10,000 BTC was used to buy two simple pizzas. At today’s prices, that meal would be worth over $690 million, making it arguably the most expensive takeaway in human history.
This story isn’t just about pizza—it’s a symbol of Bitcoin’s evolution from an experimental digital token to a globally recognized store of value and investment asset. Let’s dive into the origins, significance, and lasting impact of this iconic moment in financial history.
The Birth of a Digital Legend: How Two Pizzas Made History
On May 22, 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz, a programmer and early Bitcoin enthusiast based in Florida, posted a message on the Bitcointalk forum:
“I’ll pay 10,000 BTC for a couple of pizzas… like maybe 2 large ones so I have some left over for the next day.”
He eventually arranged for someone to order him two Papa John’s pizzas in exchange for 10,000 bitcoins. At the time, Bitcoin had no established market value—this transaction effectively set one, valuing each coin at approximately $0.0041**. The total cost? Just over **$41.
Fast forward to 2025: with Bitcoin trading around $69,000 per coin**, those same 10,000 BTC are now worth **nearly $690 million. While Laszlo didn’t foresee the astronomical rise, his transaction became the first documented use of Bitcoin for a real-world purchase—marking the birth of practical cryptocurrency adoption.
👉 Discover how early decisions shape modern wealth—see what’s possible today.
Bitcoin’s Journey from Novelty to Global Asset
Bitcoin Pizza Day is more than a quirky anecdote—it represents a turning point in financial innovation. From that moment onward, Bitcoin began its transformation into a serious digital asset class. Here's a timeline highlighting key milestones in Bitcoin’s rise:
📅 Key Moments in Bitcoin History
- January 3, 2009: The Bitcoin whitepaper is published by Satoshi Nakamoto, launching the network with the genesis block.
- May 22, 2010: Bitcoin Pizza Day—first known real-world transaction using BTC.
- November 2013: Bitcoin surpasses $1,000 for the first time, drawing mainstream media attention.
- December 2017: Price peaks near $20,000 during a speculative boom, introducing crypto to millions.
- 2021: Major corporations like Tesla and MicroStrategy invest heavily in Bitcoin; payment adoption expands.
- 2023–2025: Nation-states begin exploring or adopting Bitcoin as legal tender or reserve assets.
Today, Bitcoin is widely regarded not only as “digital gold” but also as a hedge against inflation and traditional financial instability. Its decentralized nature and capped supply of 21 million coins make it fundamentally different from fiat currencies.
Why Bitcoin Pizza Day Still Matters in 2025
Bitcoin Pizza Day serves multiple purposes beyond celebration:
✅ A Lesson in Long-Term Thinking
Laszlo’s purchase is often joked about as the “worst financial decision ever.” But it’s also a powerful lesson in valuation uncertainty and long-term vision. Few could have predicted that a peer-to-peer electronic cash system would evolve into a trillion-dollar asset class.
✅ A Symbol of Utility
Before the pizza transaction, Bitcoin was purely theoretical. This event proved it could be used for everyday purchases—laying the foundation for future use cases in payments, remittances, and financial inclusion.
✅ A Cultural Touchstone
Crypto communities worldwide celebrate this day with giveaways, memes, and pizza parties. It humanizes blockchain technology and reminds us that innovation often starts small.
Bitcoin Today: Price, Performance & Market Outlook
As of 2025, Bitcoin trades at approximately $70,030, down 1.49% over the past 24 hours. While volatility remains part of its DNA, institutional interest and regulatory clarity have helped stabilize perceptions.
| Key Metric | Value |
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Bitcoin’s all-time high stands at $73,750**, reached during the 2025 bull run fueled by spot ETF approvals and growing macroeconomic uncertainty. Its lowest recorded price? Just **$0.04865 in July 2010—meaning early investors have seen returns exceeding 143 million percent.
One major driver behind Bitcoin’s cyclical price surges is the halving event, which occurs roughly every four years. In 2024, the block reward dropped from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC, reducing new supply and historically leading to upward price pressure in the following months.
👉 Learn how halving events create scarcity—and opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🤔 What is Bitcoin Pizza Day?
Bitcoin Pizza Day is celebrated annually on May 22 to commemorate the first real-world transaction using Bitcoin—when Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 BTC for two Papa John’s pizzas in 2010.
💬 Is Bitcoin Pizza Day real?
Yes, it’s a real historical event confirmed by forum posts, blockchain records, and firsthand accounts from early community members.
💰 How much are the "pizza bitcoins" worth today?
At a price of $69,000 per BTC, the 10,000 bitcoins spent on pizzas are now worth **$690 million**.
🍕 Do people still celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day?
Absolutely! Exchanges, influencers, and crypto communities host events, offer discounts on pizza-themed NFTs, and reflect on Bitcoin’s journey from novelty to mainstream finance.
🔁 Could something like this happen again?
Unlikely at this scale. Most holders view Bitcoin as a long-term store of value rather than spending currency. However, some still make symbolic small purchases to honor the tradition.
⏳ Will Bitcoin keep increasing in value?
While no one can predict the future with certainty, many analysts believe limited supply, increasing adoption, and macroeconomic trends support long-term appreciation potential.
The Legacy Lives On
Bitcoin Pizza Day isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a milestone that underscores the transformative power of decentralized technology. That single transaction gave tangible meaning to digital scarcity and opened the door to a new era of finance.
From buying lunch to reshaping global markets, Bitcoin has proven that ideas—no matter how small they start—can grow into movements.
Whether you're a seasoned investor or new to crypto, remember: every revolution begins with a single step… or in this case, a slice.
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