On May 22, 2010, a quiet but revolutionary moment in financial history unfolded — not on Wall Street, not in a boardroom, but in a suburban kitchen after a simple online transaction. Laszlo Hanyecz, a Florida-based programmer and early Bitcoin contributor, made what is now recognized as the first real-world purchase using Bitcoin: two large Papa John’s pizzas, paid for with 10,000 BTC.
At the time, the transaction was worth about $30. Today, that same amount exceeds **$1.1 billion**, making it the most expensive meal in modern history. Yet despite the staggering opportunity cost, Laszlo has never expressed regret. In fact, he calls it one of his proudest moments.
The Birth of Bitcoin Pizza Day
It all started four days earlier, on May 18, when Laszlo posted on the Bitcoin Talk forum:
“I’ll pay 10,000 BTC for a couple of pizzas… like maybe 2 large ones so I have some left over for the next day. You can make them yourself and bring them to my house or order to my address… I like onions, peppers, sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, pepperoni…”
What seemed like a quirky experiment was actually a bold test of Bitcoin’s utility as a peer-to-peer digital currency. Back then, Bitcoin was barely a year old. Few understood it. Even fewer trusted it. Most early adopters treated it as a tech curiosity — not money.
Laszlo’s post initially received little attention. Some users were intrigued but couldn’t deliver pizza to Florida. Then, on May 22, a 19-year-old from California named Jeremy Sturdivant accepted the challenge. He ordered the pizzas using his credit card and received 10,000 BTC in return.
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The deal was done. A milestone was set.
Now celebrated annually as Bitcoin Pizza Day, May 22 marks the moment Bitcoin stepped out of code and into culture — proving it could be used not just for speculation or mining, but for everyday purchases.
Why He Did It: Passion Over Profit
In a 2019 interview with Bitcoin Magazine, Laszlo explained his mindset:
“I wanted to buy pizza with Bitcoin because it felt like getting a free dinner. I mined those coins by writing code and contributing to open-source projects. When the pizzas arrived, I really felt like I’d won the internet. Usually, hobbies cost time and money — this time, my hobby bought me dinner.”
This sentiment captures the spirit of early crypto adopters: idealism over investment. For Laszlo, Bitcoin wasn’t a get-rich-quick scheme — it was a fascinating project he supported out of passion.
He was also one of the first to develop GPU-based mining software, dramatically increasing mining efficiency at a time when anyone with a decent graphics card could mine thousands of BTC. Blockchain data shows his wallet balance peaked at over 43,854 BTC in June 2010, suggesting he quickly replenished the 10,000 he spent.
The Ripple Effect of a Single Transaction
That single pizza purchase did more than satisfy hunger — it sparked a cultural phenomenon.
- It became the first documented real-world use of Bitcoin as currency.
- It inspired countless memes, debates, and retrospectives across crypto communities.
- It humanized a technology often seen as cold and complex.
Even today, fans revisit Laszlo’s original forum post, updating comments with the current USD value of those two pizzas — a running tally that now exceeds $1.1 billion.
But here’s the twist: Laszlo didn’t stop there.
A Lifetime of Spending: Over 100,000 BTC Gone
Estimates suggest that over the years, Laszlo spent around 100,000 BTC on日常 purchases — coffee, electronics, services — long before Bitcoin gained mainstream value. At current prices, that amounts to over $11 billion in today’s market.
Yet he remains unfazed.
“I never lost sleep over it,” he said. “Back then, we were just trying to see if this thing could work. If I could trade my hobby for a pizza, that felt like winning.”
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His attitude reflects a core principle of decentralized technology: value is created through use, not hoarding.
Where Did the Pizza Bitcoins Go?
The 10,000 BTC Jeremy received didn’t sit idle. He used them to fund trips with his girlfriend and other personal expenses. By 2018, he admitted he never imagined Bitcoin would soar in value — but he still considered the trade fair.
“I made $400 from selling those pizzas,” Jeremy recalled. “That’s a 10x return on what they cost me. I don’t regret it — it was a good deal.”
Both men share a rare perspective: they valued experience and experimentation over speculative gain.
A Legacy Beyond Wealth
Unlike many early adopters who became overnight billionaires (or infamously disappeared), Laszlo has stayed remarkably low-key. No social media profiles. No public appearances. No attempts to monetize his fame.
“I try to stay out of the spotlight,” he admitted. “There’s too much attention. I don’t want people thinking I’m Satoshi… I just enjoy working on this stuff as a hobby.”
He continues contributing to Bitcoin’s open-source development, including improvements to Bitcoin Core for macOS — technical contributions far more impactful than the pizza meme, yet less celebrated.
Why This Story Still Matters
Laszlo’s story resonates because it reminds us of Bitcoin’s original purpose: to be spent.
While today’s investors treat BTC as digital gold or an inflation hedge, its founders envisioned it as electronic cash — something you could use at a store, café, or pizzeria.
His transaction proved that vision was possible.
And every year on May 22, crypto enthusiasts celebrate not just the meal, but the spirit of innovation, community, and playful experimentation that defined Bitcoin’s early days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who is Laszlo Hanyecz?
A: Laszlo Hanyecz is a software developer and early Bitcoin contributor known for making the first documented real-world purchase using Bitcoin — two pizzas for 10,000 BTC in 2010.
Q: What is Bitcoin Pizza Day?
A: Celebrated annually on May 22, it commemorates Laszlo’s historic pizza purchase and symbolizes Bitcoin’s evolution from digital experiment to usable currency.
Q: Is Laszlo Hanyecz rich?
A: While he once held tens of thousands of BTC, much was spent early on. His current wealth is unknown, but he has stated he values contribution over accumulation.
Q: Did Laszlo regret spending 10,000 BTC on pizza?
A: No. He has consistently said he doesn’t regret it, emphasizing that the joy came from proving Bitcoin could work in real life.
Q: How much is 10,000 Bitcoin worth today?
A: As of 2025, 10,000 BTC is worth over $1.1 billion — making it one of the most expensive meals ever purchased.
Q: What did Laszlo contribute to Bitcoin beyond the pizza?
A: He developed GPU mining software and contributed to Bitcoin Core for macOS — foundational work that helped expand early network participation.
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Final Thoughts
Laszlo Hanyecz didn’t set out to make history — he just wanted dinner. But in doing so, he gave the crypto world something priceless: a story with heart.
In an ecosystem often dominated by price charts and profit motives, his journey is a reminder that technology thrives when driven by curiosity, community, and fun.
So next time you send crypto for coffee or split rent with stablecoins, remember: you’re following in the footsteps of the man who proved that yes — you really can buy pizza with Bitcoin.
And sometimes, the most valuable returns aren’t measured in dollars… but in satisfaction.
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