Bitcoin Pizza Day: He Just Wanted Pizza—Now It’s Worth $1 Billion

Fifteen years ago, a hungry programmer made a trade that would become legend: 10,000 Bitcoins for two large pizzas. It sounds absurd today – that amount of BTC is worth $1 billion now – but on May 22, 2010, Bitcoin was so new it was almost worthless. Back then, Laszlo Hanyecz wasn’t looking to make history or money; he just wanted pizza. Little did he know, his late-night craving would give birth to an annual crypto holiday and one of the most talked-about stories in the Bitcoin community.

The Legendary Bitcoin Pizza Purchase

Let’s set the scene: It’s spring 2010 in Florida. Bitcoin is barely a year old, trading for mere fractions of a penny. Laszlo Hanyecz, a Bitcoin enthusiast and programmer, decides to post an offer on an online forum (Bitcointalk.org) for a bit of fun. “I’ll pay 10,000 bitcoins for a couple of pizzas… maybe 2 large ones so I have some left over for the next day,” he wrote, emphasizing how he liked having leftover pizza to nibble on. At the time, 10,000 BTC was worth only around $41 – basically play money in the eyes of the few people who even knew what Bitcoin was. Hanyecz wasn’t concerned about the price; he wanted to prove that this magical internet money could buy real stuff.

The post of Laszlo Hanyecz on BitcoinTalk

For a few days, there were no takers – people thought the idea was either a joke or just too crazy. Finally, on May 22, 2010, a 19-year-old named Jeremy Sturdivant (username “jercos”) accepted the deal. Using his credit card, Jeremy ordered two Papa John’s pizzas – one classic cheese and one loaded with toppings – and had them delivered to Hanyecz’s house. In return, Hanyecz transferred 10,000 BTC to Jeremy’s wallet. The transaction was done completely peer-to-peer over the internet, no banks or middlemen involved, marking the first real-world purchase made with Bitcoin. Hanyecz even posted photos of himself and his kids enjoying the pizzas, proudly documenting Bitcoin’s first entry into everyday life. Little could they imagine that those two piping-hot pizzas would eventually be dubbed the “world’s most expensive pizzas.”

Laszlo Hanyecz with the now-famous pizzas he traded 10,000 BTC for

From $41 to $1 Billion – Value Then vs Now

At the time of the famous pizza purchase, Bitcoin’s value was so low that 10,000 BTC ≈ $41 USD. In other words, each bitcoin was worth far less than a penny – practically monopoly money. Fast forward to today (May 2025) and prepare to have your mind blown: those same 10,000 BTC are worth over $1 billion dollars at current prices. Yes, $1,000,000,000 for two pizzas! To put it in perspective, with that money you could buy a pizza every day for life – for thousands of people. No wonder this story has become crypto lore.

Over the years, the price of Bitcoin went on a wild ride upward. By 2015 (five years after the purchase), those pizzas effectively “cost” Laszlo $2.4 million on paper, as Bitcoin’s price rose. By 2021, they’d have been worth hundreds of millions. And by late 2024, when Bitcoin crossed into six-figure territory, the value of Hanyecz’s 10,000 BTC briefly exceeded $1 billion. Talk about inflation! The dramatic change from $41 to $1 billion makes this a favorite anecdote whenever people talk about how crazy and unpredictable crypto can be.

Of course, hindsight is 20/20. It’s easy to say “Wow, he should’ve held onto those coins!” But remember: in 2010 nobody knew Bitcoin would explode in value. Laszlo himself has no regrets. “It wasn’t like bitcoins had any value back then, so the idea of trading them for a pizza was incredibly cool,” he said in an interview, explaining that at the time it felt worth it for him. If he hadn’t made that trade, who knows if Bitcoin would have proven itself as quickly as it did?

Bitcoin Pizza Day – From a Snack to a Crypto Holiday

What started as a quirky pizza purchase is now an official holiday in the crypto community. Every year, May 22 is celebrated as “Bitcoin Pizza Day,” marking the anniversary of Hanyecz’s famous transaction. It’s a day of camaraderie and remembrance. Crypto enthusiasts around the world commemorate the occasion by sharing the story, memes, and yes, by eating lots of pizza in honor of Laszlo’s legendary meal.

Over time, Bitcoin Pizza Day has taken on a life of its own. It’s not just a meme or a bit of trivia – it’s a celebration of how far the crypto world has come. On this day, many companies and crypto exchanges join the fun with special promotions and events. For instance, some crypto firms have given out free pizza or discounts to customers, hosted meet-ups and pizza parties, or launched pizza-themed NFTs and games. Cities like New York, Miami, Rome, and others have hosted gatherings where crypto fans come together to share slices and stories about the early days of Bitcoin. It’s a rare moment where an industry often obsessed with price charts takes a step back to appreciate its culture and history. The spirit is light-hearted: even as Bitcoin’s price might be making headlines, Bitcoin Pizza Day is about remembering that iconic first purchase and the community’s journey from there.

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Conclusion

From two large pizzas to a billion-dollar headline, the story of Bitcoin Pizza Day is more than just a quirky moment in crypto history—it’s a symbol of how far we’ve come and how fast things can change. It reminds us that every movement starts with someone bold enough to try something new, even if it’s just trading digital coins for dinner.

Today, we celebrate not just that iconic meal, but the innovation, risk, and community that define the crypto world. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just dipping your toes in, Bitcoin Pizza Day is your invitation to be part of something bigger.

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are for informational purposes only. This article does not constitute an endorsement of any of the products and services discussed or investment, financial, or trading advice. Qualified professionals should be consulted prior to making financial decisions.