Technology
A man spent 10,000 BTC on pizzas in 2010 and would now be a billionaire: The first crypto transaction in history
For the price he paid for the pizzas, he would now have $1 billion.
On May 22, 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz wrote a pivotal chapter in the history of cryptocurrencies. Back then, he made the first commercial transaction with Bitcoin by paying 10,000 BTC for two pizzas. At the time, this sum was equivalent to just $41, a figure that seemed reasonable for a couple of pizzas.
However, with the evolution and exponential growth of the value of Bitcoin in recent years, the price of that purchase has reached astronomical figures. Today, with Bitcoin fluctuating between $96,000 and $100,000 per unit, those 10,000 BTC would be worth approximately $1 billion. This makes those two pizzas the most expensive in history.
To commemorate this iconic event in the world of cryptocurrencies, the crypto community celebrates “Bitcoin Pizza Day” every May 22, a day that remembers the first transaction made with this digital currency and its importance in the adoption of Bitcoin as a means of payment.
Does he still have Bitcoin?
Since then, Hanyecz has kept a low profile when it comes to his cryptocurrency investments. He has not revealed whether he kept any of his Bitcoin, which is causing a lot of debate in the community. Some believe he could have become a billionaire if he kept some of his assets, while others speculate that he could have sold his Bitcoin when its price reached $100 or $1,000, believing it had reached its peak.
There is also the possibility that, like many other pioneers in the crypto world, he has lost access to his digital wallet and, with it, to a fortune that would be unattainable today. Laszlo’s story reflects one of the biggest challenges of the digital age: the security and custody of digital assets.
A milestone in the history of cryptocurrencies
Beyond the huge difference in value between 2010 and today, Hanyecz’s transaction demonstrated that Bitcoin could be used as a real means of payment, setting a key precedent for its adoption in commerce and finance. His pizza purchase symbolizes the first steps of a market that is now worth trillions of dollars and continues to revolutionize the global economy.
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