Bitcoin Pizza Day takes place every year on May 22nd and commemorates the first recorded real-world transaction using Bitcoin. On this day in 2010, a programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz gave someone 10,000 BTC for two pizzas from Papa John’s.
May 22nd is not just another day in the crypto community; it is Bitcoin Pizza Day, the most scrumptious and exciting day on the blockchain. This strange yet historical day celebrates the first real-world transaction made with Bitcoin, when Florida-based programmer Laszlo Hanyecz shocked the world by buying two large pizzas from Papa John’s for 10,000 BTC.
That’s correct. 10,000 BTC.
At that time? About $41 USD.
Today? 7 Well over $600 million.
For two extra cheesy pizzas.
Origin of Bitcoin Pizza Day
On May 22, 2010, which is now celebrated as “Bitcoin Pizza Day,” Laszlo Hanyecz from Florida arranged to exchange 10,000 bitcoins for two pizzas from Papa John’s. Hanyecz sought assistance on the Bitcoin Talk forum. “I’ll pay 10,000 bitcoins for a couple of pizzas … like maybe 2 large ones so I have some left over for the next day,” Hanyecz mentioned.
“I like having leftover pizza to nibble on later. You can make the pizza yourself and bring it to my house or order it for me from a delivery place, but what I’m aiming for is getting food delivered in exchange for bitcoins where I don’t have to order or prepare it myself, kind of like ordering a ‘breakfast platter’ at a hotel or something, they just bring you something to eat and you’re happy!”
A British man accepted Hanyecz’s offer and purchased two pizzas for him in exchange for 10,000 bitcoins. In fact, the recipient of the bitcoins still got a deal, spending about $25 for the pizzas while 10,000 bitcoins were worth around $41.
Most Expensive Pizza on This Planet
Hanyeczs’ pizzas are now infinitely more expensive than what he purchased. Nine months later, Bitcoin hit parity with the U.S. dollar, making the two pizzas worth $10,000. And then in 2015, on the fifth anniversary of Bitcoin Pizza Day, they had risen to $2.4 million. Finally, on May 19, 2025, Bitcoin was just over $103,000, making the pizzas worth… you get the point.
Why Do We Celebrate This Day and Why Does It Matter?
It may seem ridiculous at first glance—celebrating an overpriced pizza order—but this was really a monumental moment. Here are the reasons why it is memorable:
Proof of Concept:
This was the first instance of Bitcoin being used for something real. It validated that BTC could be used in real life and had the potential to be more than just code on a screen.
Birth of the Bitcoin Economy:
This transaction, which started at a value of 10,000 BTC, could be closed on with a handshake, meaning BTC could be considered money and not just a speculative tech toy.
Foundation for DeFi & Web3:
Without this first leap into pizza, the progression of crypto payments, NFTs, smart contracts, and decentralized finance may have evolved very differently.
A Culture-Building Moment:
Bitcoin Pizza Day is now part of crypto’s origin story and has resulted in community-building experiences (and often memes) that we can all participate in.
How Do People Celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day
Bitcoin Pizza Day has, over the years, blossomed from a niche holiday into an international event. At an international level, people are celebrating with:
- Pizza parties organized by various crypto companies and Web3 projects.
- Bitcoin giveaways, pizza-themed airdrops and NFT drops.
- Memes and threads on Twitter/X, Reddit, and Discord.
- Charity events that purchase pizza with BTC to fund good causes.
- And, orders of pizza paid for in crypto, using the original transaction’s spirit!
Some developers have even re-created Laszlo’s original post on newer apps like Nostr or on Web3 platforms. Others are trying to figure out how many pizzas 10,000 sats could buy you now (not many!).
More Than Just a Silly Story: A Representation of Decentralization
Bitcoin Pizza Day is more than an amusing story; it is a reminder of why we exist. It symbolizes the idea that value doesn’t come from institutions, but from people. When Lazlo exchanged 10,000 BTC for pizza, he wasn’t just feeding himself; he was establishing that Bitcoin was demonstrably useful.
No banks.
No credit cards.
No payment processors.
Just peer-to-peer value exchange over the internet.
That is the dream that Bitcoin was built upon. That is the power that we celebrate every May 22nd.
The Final Slice: Honoring the Memory
For this Bitcoin Pizza Day, whether you are a seasoned HODLer or someone fresh to crypto:
- Order your pizza with friends
- Pay with Bitcoin if you can
- Laugh at the absurdity of it all
- And remember that every revolution starts with a small act.
In this case, it started with a cheesy slice of pepperoni and 10,000 BTC.
Since Bitcoin first began its incredible rise in value after the first Bitcoin Pizza Day, the growth of Bitcoin is clear. In those early days, Bitcoin was hardly fungible for more than a couple of pizzas. The meaning and value of Bitcoin has dramatically changed since then. The rise in value also signifies the increased usability and acceptance of Bitcoin in digital transactions throughout the world.
While the value of Bitcoin has risen, it is also volatile. The price of Bitcoin can change so quickly, which can lead to tremendous gains or tremendous losses. Therefore, if Bitcoin appeals to an investor because of the growth trajectory, it is important to understand the risks associated with a volatile currency, or digital currency, because of its extreme risk.
