On May 22, 2010, programmer Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 Bitcoin for two Papa John's pizzas — the first real-world Bitcoin purchase. At the time, those coins were worth about $41. At Bitcoin's peak, they would have been worth over $700 million.
He Paid 10,000 Bitcoin for Two Pizzas.
On May 22, 2010, a Florida programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz posted on a Bitcoin forum. He wanted to buy two large pizzas and was offering 10,000 Bitcoin in exchange. At the time, Bitcoin was worth fractions of a cent, and no one had ever used it to buy anything in the real world.
He did it again a few months later, too. Same deal. More pizza.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much were 10,000 Bitcoin worth when used to buy pizza?
What is Bitcoin Pizza Day?
How much would the Bitcoin pizza be worth today?
Does Laszlo Hanyecz regret the Bitcoin pizza purchase?
Verified Fact
Well-documented event. Original BitcoinTalk forum post archived. Confirmed by CNN, BBC, Anderson Cooper interview (2019). May 22 is officially "Bitcoin Pizza Day." Hanyecz has spoken about it extensively. The $41 valuation and 10,000 BTC amount are undisputed.
BBC News