Bitcoin Pizza Day Marks 15 Years Since 10,000 BTC Pizza Purchase

May 22, 2025, marked the 15th anniversary of a significant milestone in Bitcoin's history: the first purchase made with the cryptocurrency. On that day in 2010, early Bitcoin developer Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 BTC to buy two pizzas. This event, now known as Bitcoin Pizza Day, has become a legendary moment in the cryptocurrency community, symbolizing the transition of Bitcoin from a theoretical concept to a practical medium of exchange.

Laszlo Hanyecz, an early adopter, developer, and miner from Florida, is credited with pioneering GPU mining. On May 18, 2010, he posted on BitcoinTalk, a forum created by Satoshi Nakamoto, offering 10,000 bitcoins in exchange for two large pizzas. Hanyecz specified his preferences, including toppings like onions, peppers, sausage, and mushrooms, and requested no unusual toppings. The discussion in the comment section took several days, with some users questioning the value of 10,000 BTC, which at the time was equivalent to only $41. Others found it challenging to order a pizza from outside the U.S. Hanyecz's response highlighted the original purpose of Bitcoin as an electronic cash system, as outlined in the Bitcoin white paper by Satoshi Nakamoto.

On May 22, 2010, Hanyecz successfully bought two pizzas for 10,000 BTC and posted a photo of the pizzas and himself with his kids. The person who accepted the bitcoins was identified as Jeromy Sturdivant, a 19-year-old student from California. In August 2010, the BTC price spiked, and new comments appeared, mockingly asking Hanyecz if he was still willing to pay 10,000 BTC for two pizzas. Hanyecz replied that he could not do this anymore and thanked everyone who had bought him pizzas. As the Bitcoin price continued to grow, more people flocked to the thread, wondering if Hanyecz regretted eating pizzas that cost so much. As of May 22, 2025, 10,000 BTC equals $1.1 billion.

Sturdivant, who received 10,000 BTC, gave several interviews, stating that he realized he was setting a historical precedent. He mentioned that if he hadn’t done that, someone else would eventually buy pizza for Hanyecz. Sturdivant spent his bitcoins when they cost around $400, ten times bigger than at the time of purchase. Hanyecz, on the other hand, did not perceive spending 10,000 BTC for pizza as an expensive flex. He saw it as a rare fortune to get rewarded with free food for his hobby of being a network contributor. In 2018, Hanyecz appeared in Bitcoin history again when he was one of the first testers of the Lightning Network and ordered two pizzas via his friend, who agreed to take payment in Lightning Network BTC. The transaction went smoothly, and Hanyecz and his family ate two more pizzas that were bought for Bitcoin.

Fifteen years later, the community continues to celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day on social media. Educational posts and celebrations mark the occasion, with some individuals, like Isabella Santos, founder of BTC Isla, celebrating by eating a pizza paid for in Bitcoin. Santos is actively turning the Mexican island of Isla Mujeres into a Bitcoin hub and has helped over 17 local businesses start accepting Bitcoin. Pierre Rochard, CEO of a Bitcoin Bond company and an avid Bitcoin advocate, wished a happy Bitcoin Pizza Day while playfully questioning the need for two pizzas when one could be sliced in half. The narrative around Hanyecz has shifted from one of regret to one of legend, with people increasingly supportive of his role in making Bitcoin valuable in the real-world economy.

The significance of Bitcoin Pizza Day lies in its demonstration of Bitcoin's potential as a medium of exchange. Before this event, Bitcoin existed only within the code lines. On May 22, 2010, it entered the physical world, making its first impact on the real-life economy. Hanyecz's action set a precedent that, 15 years later, still makes Bitcoin valuable. While he may have missed out on long-term returns, he accelerated the adoption and use of Bitcoin, proving that it could work as money and setting a standard that continues to influence the cryptocurrency community today.