On May 22, 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz made one of the first commercial transactions in bitcoin in history: 10,000 BTC for two Papa John's pizzas. Sixteen years later, the crypto community is still celebrating this founding moment. Some even go so far as to say that it is humanity's most expensive meal.
In brief
- On May 22, 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz bought two pizzas for 10,000 BTC with an initial value of $41.
- In 2026, this historic transaction represents a record amount of more than $770 million.
- The event remains a major symbol of the evolution of the crypto market.
A historic transaction for the crypto market
It all started on the Bitcointalk forum. Laszlo Hanyecz, a young programmer from Florida, poses a surprising challenge: offer 10,000 BTC to anyone who would deliver two large pizzas. At the time, the first crypto in history had no real value. The proof: the price of bitcoin barely stood at $41.
Another user, Jeremy Sturdivant, takes up the challenge. The pizzas arrive and the transaction is validated in block 57043 of the blockchain. Many considered this move to be the worst financial mistake of all time. But in reality, it was a founding act for theBitcoin ecosystem (and crypto).
This event saved bitcoin: here’s why
Before this delivery, BTC was just an abstract technical toy shared by a few enthusiasts. By linking this string of code to a physical product, Laszlo Hanyecz therefore proved that this digital currency could work in the real world.
More concretely, the price discovery process really started that day. Result: a simple internet curiosity transformed into a essential financial asset class.
With a price currently hovering firmly above $77,000, the theoretical value of these 10,000 bitcoins exceeds $770 million. A gigantic sum that would allow you to acquire a professional sports franchise or a fleet of private jets!
16 years later: a global symbol
Every year, the crypto community commemorates this legendary event which sparked a true financial revolution. In 2026, the Bitcoin Pizza Day resonates even louder:
- BTC has reached all-time highs.
- Bitcoin ETFs have transformed the market.
That being said, it is always the image of two pizzas which best embodies theessence of the crypto queen : the freedom to carry out transactions between humans, without an intermediary.
In any case, Bitcoin Pizza Day alone sums up the entire history of bitcoin: an experiment that became a global financial phenomenon. And sixteen years later, this transaction continues to fascinate investors, developers and curious people from around the world.
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