When Was Bitcoin Pizza Day?

Kia ora, CryptoForKiwis whānau! Imagine buying two pizzas for $1.1 billion—sounds like a yarn spun at the local pub, right? But that's the wild story of Bitcoin Pizza Day, a legendary moment in crypto history that Kiwis and crypto fans worldwide celebrate every year on May 22.

Bitcoin Pizza Day marks the first real-world Bitcoin transaction on May 22, 2010. On that day, Florida programmer and early Bitcoin miner Laszlo Hanyecz made history by trading 10,000 BTC for two Papa John's pizzas. Back then, 10,000 BTC was worth about $41 NZD—barely enough for a couple of large pizzas with extra pepperoni. Fast forward to 2025, with Bitcoin hitting $111,800 USD ($187,000 NZD), those pizzas are now worth a staggering $1.1 billion USD ($1.87 billion NZD).

What Was It All About?

In 2010, Bitcoin was a geeky experiment, barely a year old, created by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto. It had no real-world use—until Laszlo decided he fancied some pizza. On May 18, he posted on the BitcoinTalk forum: "I'll pay 10,000 bitcoins for a couple of pizzas… like maybe 2 large ones so I have some left over for the next day." He wasn't fussy—classic toppings like onions, peppers, or cheese were fine, no "weird fish" stuff. After four days, 19-year-old Jeremy Sturdivant (username "jercos") took the deal, ordered two Papa John's pizzas for $25 USD, and got 10,000 BTC. That's the moment Bitcoin went from digital code to real-world money.

This wasn't a one-off—Laszlo spent over 79,000 BTC on pizzas that summer, now worth $8.7 billion USD ($14.5 billion NZD). He later told CBS in 2019, "It made [Bitcoin] real for some people. It certainly did for me." His transaction proved Bitcoin could be used like cash, sparking curiosity and paving the way for crypto's rise.

Why Is It Celebrated Every Year?

Bitcoin Pizza Day is more than a pricey pizza story—it's a cultural milestone for crypto fans, especially in NZ, where 60% of crypto users are exploring Bitcoin, per CryptoLabs Research. Here's why Kiwis and the global community celebrate it annually:

• First Real Transaction: It showed Bitcoin wasn't just "internet money" but could buy real stuff, like a flat white or a pie. It was the first step toward mainstream use.
• Symbol of Growth: Those 10,000 BTC went from $41 to $1.1 billion, highlighting Bitcoin's wild value surge and potential as a store of value.
• Community Spirit: It unites crypto fans with pizza parties, meetups, and online banter, fostering a sense of whānau in the blockchain world.
• Innovation Reminder: It celebrates early adopters like Laszlo, who took risks to test new tech, inspiring Kiwis to explore crypto's future, from DeFi to NFTs.

Every May 22, crypto exchanges like Binance and Gate.io host events, giveaways, and pizza-themed promotions. For example, Binance ran #BinancePizza events in 2023 with merch and prizes, while Gate.io offered 1 BTC giveaways in 2025. On X, fans like @kriptoloki shared the transaction's blockchain link, joking about its $1 billion+ value, and @unisat_wallet launched a "Pizza Lovers" site with a $PIZA airdrop.

Latest Buzz and Comments

The crypto community loves Bitcoin Pizza Day for its mix of humor and history. Here's what's being said in 2025:

• X Posts: @chrisleao tweeted, "If you time travel to 2010, slip a 'HODL' note into Laszlo's pizza receipt 😂," poking fun at Laszlo's spend while thanking him for showing Bitcoin's potential. @MEXC_Official asked fans to share their "crypto IQ" with options like "Sold BTC for pizza" or "HODL through 80% dips."
• Web Insights: Cointelegraph called it a "cheesy celebration" that turned a "seemingly unremarkable transaction" into a legend, sparking crypto adoption. Cointribune noted Bitcoin hitting $111,800 on the 15th anniversary, making those pizzas worth $1.1 billion.
• Community Vibes: CryptoGiggle on X described it as "half celebration, half roast session," with memes joking about Laszlo's "billion-dollar lunch." Binance's 2025 events included pizza NFT projects, showing how the day inspires new trends.

Laszlo himself has no regrets. In 2023, he used the Bitcoin Lightning Network to buy more pizzas for 0.00649 BTC ($157), proving Bitcoin's scalability. His vibe? Experiment, don't speculate.

How Kiwis Can Join the Party

Wanna celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day like a true Kiwi? Here's how:

• Buy Bitcoin: Get started with Easy Crypto, NZ's go-to platform. Buy BTC with NZD via POLi Pay or bank transfer, then store it in Easy Crypto Wallet.
• Order Pizza with BTC: Some NZ spots like Hell Pizza accept crypto via Bitrefill gift cards. Try paying with Bitcoin on May 22!
• Join Events: Check Cryptocurrency NZ's Discord for local meetups in Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch. Host a pizza party with mates!
• Explore Crypto: Use Easy Crypto to buy BTC or ETH, then dive into NFTs or DeFi on platforms like OpenSea or Uniswap.

Kiwi Hack: Start small with $50 BTC on Easy Crypto and practice sending a micro-transaction (like 0.0001 BTC) to a mate to feel the Bitcoin magic.

Tax Note

Bitcoin profits (buying, selling, or trading) are taxable in NZ as income, per Inland Revenue rules (10.5-39% based on your bracket). For example, selling 0.1 BTC for $1,000 profit is taxable. Track trades with Koinly or Easy Crypto's tracker. Check Easy Crypto's Crypto Tax Guide and consult an crypto accountant specialist such as Awaken.Tax

Final Thoughts

Bitcoin Pizza Day is a tasty reminder of crypto's humble beginnings and wild potential. Laszlo's two pizzas kicked off a revolution, showing Kiwis and the world that Bitcoin could be real money. Whether you're HODLing or just here for the pizza, join the global party on May 22—order a slice, share a meme, and explore crypto with Easy Crypto. Let's keep the Bitcoin spirit alive, Aotearoa-style! Ka pai!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risks including total loss of capital. Always do your own research before investing. I earn via affiliate links. Crypto's risky; not advice. NZ 18+