On May 18, 2010, a programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz posted on the Bitcointalk forum, offering 10,000 bitcoins for “a couple of pizzas.” This seemingly ordinary request is now recognized as the first documented commercial transaction using Bitcoin. What most people don't know is that the deal took four days to complete. At today's Bitcoin prices, those 10,000 bitcoins are worth approximately $670 million.
The Pizza Offer
Hanyecz wrote: “I’ll pay 10,000 bitcoins for a couple of pizzas.. like maybe 2 large ones so I have some leftover for the next day.” He wanted the pizzas delivered to his home in Jacksonville, Florida, without having to order or prepare them himself. At the time, Bitcoin had almost no market value, and enthusiasts were mining coins for fun. Some commenters pointed out that 10,000 BTC could be sold for $41 USD on Bitcoin Market, suggesting he might get a better deal buying pizzas with cash. But Hanyecz insisted on using Bitcoin as a means of payment.
Four Days of Waiting
For three days after the initial post, no one accepted the offer. On May 21, Hanyecz asked: “So nobody wants to buy me pizza? Is the bitcoin amount I’m offering too low?” Community members joked that they were not in the U.S. or asked if he was getting hungry. Finally, on May 22, 2010—the fourth day—Hanyecz announced success: “I just want to report that I successfully traded 10,000 bitcoins for pizza.” The pizzas came from Papa John's. Fellow community member Martti Malmi (known as Sirius) replied: “Congratulations Laszlo, a great milestone reached.”
Legacy and Bitcoin Pizza Day
The transaction was recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain, becoming the first proof that Bitcoin could be used for real-world purchases. Over a decade later, in 2021, Papa John's itself commemorated the event on social media: “11 years ago today, a very hungry programmer, Laszlo Hanyecz, paid 10,000 bitcoin for two Papa John’s pies, marking the very first bitcoin pizza transaction, ever.” Hanyecz kept the offer open for weeks afterward, stating he would trade 10,000 BTC for pizzas anytime while he had funds. Today, May 22 is celebrated globally as Bitcoin Pizza Day, a reminder of how far the cryptocurrency has come.