Fourteen years ago, on May 22, 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz made history by purchasing two pizzas for 10,000 Bitcoin, marking the first-ever commercial transaction with cryptocurrency. This event, immortalized as Bitcoin Pizza Day, ignited a cultural phenomenon within the crypto community.
Hanyecz, a programmer from Florida, posted a request for pizza delivery on a Bitcoin Talk Forum, offering 10,000 BTC in exchange. Jeremy Sturdivant, then a 19-year-old student from California, fulfilled the order by delivering two large pizzas from Papa John's.
At the time, the 10,000 BTC was valued at a modest $41. However, with Bitcoin's meteoric rise, those same coins are now worth a staggering $700 million, underscoring the remarkable evolution of cryptocurrency.
More importantly, Pizza Day marked the first time Bitcoin, first mined by its pseudonymous founder Satoshi Nakamoto on January 3, 2009, was ever used in a commercial transaction. The transaction spawned an industry that is now valued at $2.7 trillion.
Today, on the 14th anniversary of Bitcoin Pizza Day, the crypto community worldwide celebrates this pivotal moment. Social media platforms buzz with hashtags like #BitcoinPizzaDay and #PizzaForBitcoin as enthusiasts host pizza parties, contests, and educational events.
Cryptocurrency exchanges seize the occasion for educational initiatives. Bitget collaborates with NounsDAO, Unlock Protocol, and others to organize a Global Pizza Party in 150 cities. Binance hosts events across 16 countries, engaging people in the history and significance of Bitcoin Pizza Day.
Grace Chen, CEO of Bitget, emphasizes the symbolic importance of the pizza transaction. It demonstrated Bitcoin's real-world utility, fueling interest and excitement within and beyond the crypto community. Bitcoin Pizza Day embodies the journey from a novel concept to a revolutionary financial technology, fostering community spirit and innovation.
Despite the hindsight of missed investment opportunities, both Hanyecz and Sturdivant embrace the significance of their roles in Bitcoin's early history. Hanyecz, who spent his Bitcoin without regrets, appreciates being part of cryptocurrency mythology. Sturdivant reflects on the transaction as an act of using currency rather than solely seeking investment gains.
People attending Bitcoin Pizza Day in Bahrain, 2023. Image credits: Binance/X
Bitcoin Pizza Day transcends a mere anecdote; it symbolizes the transformative power of cryptocurrency and the pioneering spirit of its early adopters. As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, the legacy of Bitcoin Pizza Day serves as a testament to the resilience and innovation driving the industry forward.
France’s far-right Rassemblement National (RN) has proposed using surplus nuclear energy to mine Bitcoin-a move that is dramatically contradictory to Marine Le Pen's 2016 promise to ban virtual currencies.
XingChiThe Satoshi Nakamoto statue in Lugano was taken from its spot in the park and later found broken in Lake Lugano, showing it was vandalised rather than simply stolen. Despite the damage, the local community and supporters remain committed to celebrating Bitcoin’s creator and the ideas the statue represents.
AnaisA false rumour on social media claimed China had banned crypto again, causing brief market panic. Officials and experts confirmed no new rules were issued, and the 2021 restrictions still apply.
WeatherlyFigma’s share price jumped 250% on its NYSE debut, closing at $115 and rising further after hours. The company also revealed it had put nearly $100 million into Bitcoin and stablecoins as part of its treasury plan.
Weatherly
Jason RiggsStrategy reported a $10 billion profit in Q2, driven by Bitcoin gains and new fair value accounting rules. It raised over $10.5 billion through stock sales and used most of it to buy more Bitcoin, pushing its holdings above 628,000 BTC.
AnaisBitmain, the world’s leading Bitcoin mining ASIC manufacturer, is preparing to open its first manufacturing facility in the United States—a strategic move set to accelerate production and support for American clients.
XingChiMarti, a Turkish ride-hailing company, has put 20% of its cash into Bitcoin and plans to increase that to 50%. The move is part of a long-term plan to use crypto as a store of value while keeping its main business growing.
AnaisThe US SEC has approved in-kind trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, letting firms trade crypto directly instead of using cash. This change is expected to cut costs, improve trading, and make it easier for big investors to enter the crypto market.
WeatherlyA rare 100 BTC Casascius bar bought in 2012 for $500 was finally redeemed in 2025, now worth over $10 million. The owner kept it sealed for 13 years before transferring the Bitcoin to a digital wallet, making a huge profit while preserving its historical value.
AnaisIn the future, it will take time to verify whether Rune Protocol can continue to lead the market. And a war between dogs and pizza seems to be about to begin.
JinseFinanceMay 22 is "Bitcoin Pizza Day," commemorating the historic event in 2010 when 10,000 bitcoins were used to purchase two Papa John's pizzas. From $41 worth of pizza to $700 million in wealth, Bitcoin's price surge over the past 15 years has proven it to be the best-performing financial asset in history.
MiyukiThe festival is not only a look back at Bitcoin’s history, but also a celebration of its community spirit.
JinseFinanceIt’s the annual Pizza Festival again. Please follow me to take a look at the story of Laszlo Hanyecz.
JinseFinanceThe event is expected to be the world’s largest Bitcoin pizza party, celebrating a tradition that has been going on since May 22, 2010.
JinseFinanceMeme coin traders poured capital into several pizza-related tokens on Monday as rug pulls put a dampener on the anniversary of the first purchase made with bitcoin.
CoindeskCelebrating the first real word Bitcoin transaction, Cointelegraph launched a brand new, limited-time "Bitcoin Pizza Collection." Join in on the tradition and grab some of the coolest crypto merch. Free shipping worldwide on orders over $100.
CointelegraphWhat a peculiar combination: bitcoin and pizza. Nonetheless, an entire day has been designated for each of these occasions. All ...
BitcoinistCointelegraph Store brings you Pizza Day merch, and luckily you don’t have to spend 10k BTC to get your hands on a piece.
CointelegraphTwelve years to the day of the world's first Bitcoin pizza purchase, the celebrations still continue for what has become a slice of crypto culture.
Cointelegraph