Bitcoin Pizza Day: The $600 Million Slice That Changed Financial History
Every year on May 22nd, Bitcoiners around the world celebrate one of the most iconic moments in Bitcoin history: Bitcoin Pizza Day. It commemorates the first time Bitcoin was used in a real-world transaction — a simple purchase of two pizzas that marked the beginning of Bitcoin’s journey as a functioning currency.
The Story Behind Bitcoin Pizza Day
On May 22, 2010, a Florida-based programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz posted a message on an online forum offering 10,000 bitcoins (BTC) to anyone who would deliver two large pizzas to his home. At the time, those coins were worth about $41.
Another forum user took him up on the offer and ordered two Papa John's pizzas. The deal was completed: Hanyecz got his pizzas, and 10,000 BTC changed hands — becoming the first recorded purchase of goods using Bitcoin.
No one could have predicted that those 10,000 bitcoins would one day be worth over $600 million. But in that moment, something far more important happened: Bitcoin proved it could be used as money.
Why It Mattered
Until that day, Bitcoin had existed mostly as a technical experiment. It was being mined, traded, and studied by early adopters, but had no real-world value. By using it to buy pizza — a universally relatable item — Hanyecz demonstrated that Bitcoin could serve as a medium of exchange, not just a digital curiosity.
That simple pizza order showed the world that Bitcoin wasn’t just theoretical. It was practical. It could be spent. It had value.
A Humble Beginning, A Powerful Legacy
Bitcoin Pizza Day is not just about pizza. It's a celebration of one of the most important milestones in Bitcoin’s history — its first use in the real economy.
Here’s why the day continues to matter:
Utility over theory: Bitcoin moved from code to commerce.
Grassroots adoption: This wasn’t a government or institution testing Bitcoin — it was an individual, voluntarily transacting in a new form of money.
Perspective on growth: The 10,000 BTC used in 2010 are now worth hundreds of millions of dollars, a reminder of how early adoption and belief in an idea can lead to astonishing outcomes.
How Bitcoiners Celebrate
Every year on May 22, Bitcoiners honor the day by sharing stories, hosting pizza parties, and reflecting on how far Bitcoin has come. Some buy pizza with Bitcoin (where accepted), others donate sats to causes they believe in, and many just take a moment to appreciate the long arc of monetary innovation.
For many, it’s also a day to onboard new people — to tell the story of how one pizza order changed everything.
Lessons From the Pizza
There’s something beautifully simple about using Bitcoin to buy pizza. It reminds us that money only has value because people agree it does — and Bitcoin’s value has grown because people have chosen to believe in it, use it, and build around it.
Laszlo Hanyecz has no regrets. In interviews, he’s said he’s proud to have played a role in Bitcoin’s development. That pizza wasn’t a loss — it was a proof of concept that helped move Bitcoin from an idea to a global monetary revolution.
Final Slice
Bitcoin Pizza Day isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about recognizing the moment when a decentralized form of money first touched the real world. It’s about celebrating progress — from a $41 pizza order to a global monetary movement.
So on May 22, grab a slice, raise your glass (or your Lightning wallet), and remember: sometimes the biggest revolutions start with the smallest transactions.