BITCOIN PIZZA DAY · MAY 22, 2010 · 16TH ANNIVERSARY

 

The $1 Billion Pizza: How Laszlo Changed History

By CryptoInsight Staff · May 22, 2026 · 5 min read

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Today marks 16 years since one of the most legendary moments in financial history. On May 22, 2010, a Florida programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 Bitcoin for two Papa John's pizzas worth just $41. What seemed like a fair trade at the time is now worth over $1 billion — making it the most expensive meal ever recorded.

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The Day That Changed Crypto Forever

Bitcoin Pizza Day, celebrated on May 22, marks the first recognized time Bitcoin was used in a real-world transaction. Before this moment, Bitcoin was just theoretical — digital monopoly money with no proven real-world value. 

What Really Happened

Laszlo didn't hand over Bitcoin directly to the pizza joint. Instead, he posted an offer on a Bitcoin forum, promising 10,000 BTC to anyone who could get him two pizzas. A fellow Bitcoin enthusiast named Jeremy Sturdivant, also known as "jercos," took up the offer. Jeremy ordered the pizzas for Laszlo with his own money and received the 10,000 BTC in return. The pizza delivery guy got a standard tip in fiat currency — none the wiser.

The Players

• Laszlo Hanyecz — The Buyer: Florida programmer and early Bitcoin developer. Happy to have his pizzas, unknowingly gave away a fortune.
• Jeremy Sturdivant ("jercos") — The Seller: Received 10,000 BTC and later spent most of it traveling across the US. No regrets — just a great story.
• The Delivery Guy — Completely oblivious, went home with a normal tip.

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The Numbers That Will Blow Your Mind

Year	Value of 10,000 BTC
2010	$41
2013	~$1.2 Million
2017	~$200 Million
2021	~$650 Million
2026	>$1 Billion

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Laszlo: More Than Just "The Pizza Guy"

Laszlo pioneered Bitcoin's early technical development, creating the first MacOS client and discovering GPU mining. He spent nearly 100,000 BTC on other items — a sum worth over $8.6 billion today. 

Laszlo wasn't only the first person to make physical purchases with Bitcoin — he also became the first person to buy a pizza via the Lightning Network. On February 25, 2018, he purchased two Papa John's pizzas for 0.00649 BTC.

Timeline

• May 17, 2010 — Laszlo posts pizza offer on Bitcointalk for 10,000 BTC.
• May 22, 2010 — Jeremy "jercos" orders the pizzas. 10,000 BTC changes hands. History is made.
• 2013 — Bitcoin hits $100. The pizza is now worth over $1 million.
• Feb 25, 2018 — Laszlo buys pizza again via the Bitcoin Lightning Network.
• May 22, 2026 — Bitcoin Pizza Day turns 16. The 10,000 BTC is worth over $1 billion.

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Why Bitcoin Pizza Day Matters

Pizza Day isn't just about an extravagant meal. It marks the first time Bitcoin was used in a real-world transaction, giving the cryptocurrency tangible value. Before this, Bitcoin was merely digital monopoly money. Laszlo's transaction anchored Bitcoin in reality, proving it could be used to buy real goods.

Every year on May 22, the crypto community celebrates Bitcoin Pizza Day — not just as a cautionary tale about selling too early, but as a tribute to the moment Bitcoin became real. Laszlo Hanyecz may have given away a billion dollars in pizza, but he helped give the world a financial revolution in return.

Happy Bitcoin Pizza Day! 🍕