The first cryptocurrency transaction: how two pizzas became a symbol of Bitcoin's revolution

The cryptocurrency community annually celebrates May 22 as a special day — the anniversary of a historic transaction that forever changed the perception of digital assets. On this day in 2010, something incredible happened: someone agreed to exchange real goods for virtual coins. This transaction became not just a purchase but a symbol of faith in the future of technology.

From $41 to a Potential Fortune

Laszlo Hanyecz offered 10,000 bitcoins for two pizzas. At the time of the transaction in 2010, this amount seemed ridiculously small — about $41. But years have passed. Today, with Bitcoin trading around $85,000, that same purchase is valued at an unimaginable amount — over $850 million. The difference is astonishing and prompts reflection on the nature of financial assets and their true value.

This contrast between past and present valuation demonstrates not only Bitcoin’s volatility but also its transformation from an experimental project into a serious financial instrument.

The Unsolved Mystery

A big question remains: did Laszlo Hanyecz keep his bitcoins, or did his fate turn out differently? The initiator of that historic transaction has never disclosed full details about his current crypto portfolio.

Considering the exponential growth in Bitcoin’s value, there are several scenarios. The first and most optimistic: Laszlo kept some of his assets and today is the owner of a fairy-tale fortune worth billions. The second scenario is more prosaic — like many early investors, he might have sold his bitcoins much earlier, when the price reached $100 or $1000, mistakenly believing that the coin had already hit its ceiling. The third option is even more tragic: losing access to his wallet, losing private keys, which would make his bitcoins permanently inaccessible.

Why This Story Remains Relevant

Thanks to Laszlo Hanyecz, Bitcoin proved its practical applicability in real life for the first time. Until then, cryptocurrency remained a theoretical concept, interesting only to mathematicians and cryptographers. His bold experiment showed that digital coins could function as a means of exchange, not just as a speculative asset.

This transaction became a foundational event that paved the way for the entire subsequent development of the industry. Today, the cryptocurrency market is valued in trillions of dollars, digital asset payments are becoming more widespread, and Bitcoin is recognized as a legal means of payment in many countries and jurisdictions.

Laszlo’s story and his two pizzas remain a powerful reminder that revolutionary changes often start with simple, even seemingly insignificant actions. Regardless of the current situation with his personal assets, his contribution to the development of the crypto ecosystem is invaluable and will be remembered in history.