Two Pizzas Purchased with Bitcoin in 2010 Now Valued at $815 Million

The priciest pizza purchase in history took place on a regular day in May 2010 by a man from Jacksonville, Florida.

Today, a mere slice of that pizza is valued in the millions, while both pizzas were just $41 back then.

This transaction was part of a publicity stunt designed by Laszlo Hanyecz, who opted to order the pizza using a freshly minted digital currency called bitcoin.

At the time, Hanyecz casually shared his concept in an online forum frequented by fellow bitcoin enthusiasts.

He mentioned in various news articles: “If anyone is interested, I’m offering 10,000 bitcoins for some pizza.”

Shortly after, an individual named Jeremy Sturdivant from England decided to take Hanyecz up on his offer.

Upon receiving the bitcoins, Sturdivant ordered and paid for the pizzas from a Papa John’s in Jacksonville using a standard credit card, delivering them right to Hanyecz’s doorstep.

Hanyecz, eager to promote bitcoin, distributed press releases about the event to various media outlets nationwide, including a small news desk in Park Hills, Missouri, where this journalist worked at the time.

Unfortunately, the press release went mostly unnoticed. It involved a Florida occurrence without a clear local connection in Missouri, related to an unfamiliar concept. It quickly sank into obscurity.

However, three years later, that modest pizza purchase skyrocketed in value, now estimated at around $750 million by 2013.

Even during the bear market of 2023, the pizza purchase held a value of approximately $268 million.

The value has continued to soar, leading to Hanyecz often being asked to reflect on his pizza endeavor from May 22, now celebrated as Bitcoin Pizza Day.

Current estimates place the pizza purchase at a staggering $814,464,800, according to CoinLedger, which provides cryptocurrency accounting services.

The Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria is a beloved local spot known for its outstanding pizza in Laramie, Wyoming. (The Alibi via Facebook)