On May 22, 2025, the global cryptocurrency community once again welcomed the annual "Bitcoin Pizza Day." Fifteen years ago, programmer Laszlo Hanyecz exchanged 10,000 bitcoins for two pizzas from Papa John's, completing the first real-world transaction using Bitcoin. Today, the legend of this transaction continues to ferment; the pizza day not only carries the early history of Bitcoin but has also become a window for discussing the value and future of cryptocurrencies.
Origin: The Birth of a "Priceless" Transaction
On May 18, 2010, Florida programmer Laszlo Hanyecz posted on the BitcoinTalk forum, proposing to exchange 10,000 bitcoins for two pizzas. Four days later, 19-year-old Bitcoin enthusiast Jeremy Sturdivant responded by ordering the pizzas for about $25, completing the transaction. At that time, Bitcoin was virtually worthless, with 10,000 BTC valued at approximately $41, or about $0.0041 per BTC. This transaction was recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain on May 22 (block height 57043), becoming the first public case of Bitcoin used to purchase a physical item.
X user @Qinian0018 wrote: "On May 22, 2010, Laszlo exchanged 10,000 bitcoins for two pizzas, now worth hundreds of millions! An ordinary transaction has become a milestone in cryptocurrency history." As of May 2025, the price of Bitcoin has surpassed $110,000 (data from January 2025), making 10,000 BTC worth about $1.1 billion. These two pizzas have been humorously dubbed "the most expensive pizzas in history" in the crypto community, vividly illustrating the soaring value of Bitcoin.
Impact: From Marginal Experiment to Global Financial Wave
The significance of Pizza Day goes far beyond the transaction itself; it laid the foundation for the practical application of Bitcoin. In 2025, the crypto community emphasized its multiple impacts when reflecting on this event:
Before Pizza Day, Bitcoin was merely an experimental tool for cryptography geeks, lacking real-world pricing references. Hanyecz's transaction assigned an initial value of $0.0025 per bitcoin, breaking the skepticism of "uselessness." X user @hodl_rich888 pointed out: "This was the first commercial transaction using Bitcoin as a payment method, marking its move towards broader application." This step paved the way for subsequent merchants to accept Bitcoin. Today, globally, payment platforms like BitPay support BTC for retail, travel, and even real estate transactions.
Pizza Day is not only a technological milestone but also the starting point of crypto culture. In May 2025, platforms like Binance continued to host "Pizza Day" events, launching airdrops and lotteries to attract new users. X user @Dadaxiong10 expressed: "I hope to buy coffee, movie tickets, and even travel the world with Bitcoin in the future! Looking forward to Binance promoting crypto adoption."
Hanyecz is not only the protagonist of Pizza Day but also a pioneer of GPU mining, as the mining software he developed significantly increased the computing power of the Bitcoin network. In 2025, community discussions mentioned that Hanyecz purchased pizza again in 2018 through the Lightning Network, using only 0.00649 BTC, showcasing the leap in Bitcoin transaction efficiency. Pizza Day inspired the exploration of Layer 2 solutions, reducing transaction costs and promoting the application of micropayment scenarios.
The celebrations of Pizza Day in May 2025 highlighted the vitality and innovation of the crypto community. Exchanges like Binance and HTX hosted online and offline events, including pizza parties, NFT lotteries, and educational lectures, attracting a large number of novice investors. Additionally, some projects launched "pizza-themed" tokens or commemorative NFTs, further integrating Pizza Day into the Web3 ecosystem.
Significance: The Eternal Inspiration of Pizza Day
Fifteen years later, Pizza Day is not only Bitcoin's "birthday party" but also a tribute to the concept of decentralization. Hanyecz stated in an interview that he does not regret "missing out" on billions of wealth because his transaction made Bitcoin "come alive." In 2025, the community reaffirmed this spirit: the value of cryptocurrency lies in its use, not merely in holding it.
Pizza Day also reveals the iterative logic of blockchain technology. From the high transaction fees in 2010 (0.99 BTC) to the micropayments of the Lightning Network in 2025, Bitcoin's scalability has continuously improved. The story of Pizza Day inspires developers to explore more efficient and inclusive solutions, injecting momentum into Web3 and decentralized finance (DeFi).
On a deeper level, Pizza Day represents an opportunity for ordinary people to participate in history. Hanyecz was not a financial giant, yet he changed the trajectory of cryptocurrency with a simple transaction.
"Pizza Day tells us that anyone can be the piece of the puzzle that changes the future." This grassroots spirit is at the core of Bitcoin's decentralized philosophy.
Conclusion: From Pizza to the Future
The Bitcoin Pizza Day of 2025 is not just a reminiscence of the "priceless pizza" anecdote but also a node for examining the past and future of cryptocurrency. From two pizzas to a transaction worth $1.1 billion, Pizza Day has witnessed Bitcoin's transformation from the margins to the mainstream. It reminds us that the greatness of technology often begins with ordinary attempts, and future breakthroughs may be hidden in the next "pizza transaction." Whether you are a veteran in the crypto space or a newcomer, on May 22, order a pizza and join this celebration that spans fifteen years; perhaps you too can become a part of crypto history.
This article represents the author's personal views and does not reflect the stance or views of this platform. This article is for informational sharing only and does not constitute any investment advice to anyone.
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