Latest news with #PizzaDay
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Blockchain's Transformation from Niche Novelty to Everyday Utility
"Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System,' Satoshi Nakamoto's 2009 white paper outlining the concept of a decentralized, peer-to-peer payment system alternative to the traditional financial system, was hardly an overnight success. Yes, while the document gave way to Bitcoin's launch later that year, it wasn't until 2010 that Bitcoin was first used for a real life transaction. However, in the years that followed, Bitcoin's usage as a payment method, as well as use cases for crypto and blockchain technology, grew exponentially. In a recent interview, Binance CEO Richard Teng reflected on how much crypto has evolved, noting that 'Fifteen years ago, crypto was about buying a pizza. Today, it's about building robust payment systems, stablecoins, and real-life use cases that change lives.' The evolution of crypto is far from over, as developers and other innovators continue to expand and enhance the blockchain infrastructure. Adoption and usage of cryptocurrencies also continues to grow as well. Initially, Bitcoin's user base skewed toward the tech savvy, particularly among the tech savvy whose political philosophy matched up well with the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies and the blockchain. However, as the 2010s progressed, crypto's user base began to steadily widen. The reasons for this are many fold. For one, access, availability, and education about cryptocurrencies increased significantly during this time frame. The rise of user-friendly crypto exchanges like Binance played a major role with this factor. The community of active cryptocurrency users also expanded demographically during this time. Largely, due to crypto's strengths as an alternative to traditional banking services, particularly in countries where access to traditional banking remains limited. Yet even as blockchain economy participants grew from just a handful at the onset, to hundreds of millions of users worldwide by 2020, by-and-large mainstream financial institutions and institutional investors stayed on the sidelines, due to the space's underdeveloped regulatory framework. It wasn't until starting last year, when regulatory clarity in markets like the U.S. and Europe, started to emerge. Once this happened, crypto made a full leap into the financial mainstream. Crypto usage has come a long way from the famed pizza order that first demonstrated its real-world utility. Today, scores of large and small businesses worldwide accept cryptocurrencies as a payment method. Some countries, most notably El Salvador, have even officially made Bitcoin legal tender. As usability increases so has the value of Bitcoin at each Pizza Day. Demand for the availability of crypto-based payment options among consumers continues to rise as well. With this, the number of retailers accepting crypto as a payment method is expected to increase dramatically going forward. According to a recent survey from a major U.S.-based bank, while just under 15% of retailers accept crypto as a payment method, 75% of retailers noted that they plan to begin accepting either stablecoin and cryptocurrency payments within the next two years. As individuals continue to adopt crypto- based payment methods for the first time, more and more people are discovering their everyday utility. Based on a recent survey of Binance users, it's clear that using crypto for payments is far from a complex and cumbersome process. Take, for example, the experience of Sergio, a Mexican Binance user who detailed his experience using crypto for the first time to pay a restaurant bill. As Sergio noted, his usage of BNB as a payment method allowed him to see how 'simple and practical' crypto can be as a payment method. Dubai-based Codi reported a similar experience, when he used crypto to pay for a restaurant order while on vacation in Turkey. According to Codi, not only was his payment via stablecoin USDT 'incredibly convenient;' the exchange rate using this method was more favorable than what his local bank offered. In the case of Vietnamese crypto user Andy, we can see that not only are crypto-based payments anything but complicated, they can be a useful solution in a jam. If not for his crypto account, Andy wouldn't have been able to make an urgent cross-border payment. As awareness of this 'simple and practical' alternative continues to grow, the transformation from niche novelty to everyday utility will continue. Note To Readers: Hindustan Times/HTDS shall not, in any manner, be responsible or liable for the content of the article, advertisement, including the views, opinions, announcements, declarations, or affirmations expressed therein and is absolved from any legal action or enforceable claims. This content is for informational and awareness purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bitcoin Pizza Day Turns 15: How 10,000 BTC Could Have Bought Private Islands, Manhattan Penthouses And Some Of The World's Most Extravagant Luxuries Today
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) Pizza Day is here again, reminding us of the first commercial use of the prized digital currency. The event, celebrated each year on May 22, has become immortalized and serves as an important reminder of the cryptocurrency's humble beginnings. What happened: In 2010, Florida-based software developer Laszlo Hanyecz accidentally gave the cryptocurrency world a date to remember when he paid 10,000 BTC (yes, you heard that right) for two Papa John's pizzas. Hanyecz said on a Bitcoin forum that he 'successfully traded' 10,000 Bitcoins for two pizzas. Trending: — no wallets, just price speculation and free paper trading to practice different strategies. According to the conversation on the forum, 1 Bitcoin was worth $0.0041 on the historical day, taking the total purchase amount to $41. Fast forward to 2025, and the same stash is worth $1.10 billion, based on a per-unit price of $110,982.80, making the pizzas the most expensive ever. What if Hanyecz had held onto his coins and instead used fiat currency to satisfy his pizza craving? Well, he could have purchased a private island. And not just one, but several. For context, the Big Darby Island in the Bahamas was recently sold for $40 million. But he'd still have plenty left. So he might as well consider buying a penthouse in the Manhattan neighborhood of New penthouses are exceptionally expensive. Prices range from around $2 million to over $48 million, with some reaching upwards of $135 million. Hanyecz could have also chosen to fund a space tourism trip for dozens of people (including me). SpaceX reportedly charged around $55 million per seat for flights to the International Space Station, according to a New York Times report. While we don't know if Hanyecz is an art aficionado, he might have used some of his fortune to outbid at some of the world's most prestigious art auctions. The most expensive artwork ever sold at auction was Leonardo da Vinci's 'Salvator Mundi,' which fetched $450 million at Christie's in New York in 2017. Well, demands are boundless and luxuries plentiful. So, even a billion dollars might not be enough. But one thing is certain—the legend of those two pizzas will keep reminding the cryptocurrency community about the importance of small beginnings. Did you order your pies? Read Next: New to crypto? Get up to $400 in rewards for successfully completing short educational courses and making your first qualifying trade on Coinbase. A must-have for all crypto enthusiasts: Sign up for the Gemini Credit Card today and earn rewards on Bitcoin Ether, or 60+ other tokens, with every purchase. Image Via Shutterstock Send To MSN: Send to MSN This article Bitcoin Pizza Day Turns 15: How 10,000 BTC Could Have Bought Private Islands, Manhattan Penthouses And Some Of The World's Most Extravagant Luxuries Today originally appeared on
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michael Saylor has a pizza offer as Bitcoin hits new record high
Bitcoin Pizza Day, celebrated every year on May 22, marked a watershed moment for the cryptocurrency this time as it reached a new record high of $111,970.17 on the day. Strategy founder and executive chairman Michael Saylor, who is a well-known Bitcoin evangelist, had quite an advice on the landmark day: pay for pizza with the dollar and keep Bitcoin. May 22 marks a global celebration in the crypto world. It was on the same day in 2010 that a Florida-based programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 BTC to purchase two large Papa John's pizzas worth about $41 at the time. That transaction would be worth over an astonishing $1.1 billion today. BTC, which reached its previous high of $109,241 on Jan. 20 ahead of Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, struggled to stay above the $100,000 level from February to early May. Bitcoin's bull run over the last two years can be attributed to its increasing institutional adoption through steps such as the launch of spot BTC exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in January 2024 during the Biden era, Trump ordering the establishment of a strategic BTC reserve in March 2025, and several companies such as Strategy (Nasdaq: MSTR) adopting BTC as their primary treasury reserve asset. Under Saylor's leadership, Strategy began acquiring Bitcoin as early as 2020. In fact, the firm today announced its plan to raise $2.1 billion via the sale of its preferred shares to acquire additional Bitcoin. As of now, Strategy is the world's largest corporate holder of Bitcoin with 576,230 BTC worth $64.4 billion on its balance sheet. Over the years, it has inspired a wave of other companies, such as Metaplanet, to follow its Bitcoin acquisition playbook, leading to further mainstreaming of the asset. Michael Saylor has a pizza offer as Bitcoin hits new record high first appeared on TheStreet on May 22, 2025
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Bitcoin Pizza Day Celebrates Crypto's Historic Moment
Bitcoin Pizza Day! Two pizzas for a price of 10000 Bitcoins. Pizza Index It's not every day that ordering pizza makes history. Yet, one seemingly ordinary purchase in May 2010 became legendary, sparking an annual celebration known globally as Bitcoin Pizza Day. So, grab a slice and let's dive into this deliciously quirky tale. On May 22, 2010, a programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz posted a casual request on an internet forum: he offered to pay 10,000 bitcoins to anyone willing to deliver two large pizzas to his Florida home. At the time, Bitcoin was barely a year old, and these digital coins were more a geeky curiosity than a financial instrument. Laszlo's offer was intriguing but seemed harmless enough. Little did anyone realize, this simple transaction would later be recognized as the very first documented purchase using Bitcoin, marking a critical milestone in cryptocurrency history. Today, those 10,000 bitcoins would be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. In fact, the Bitcoin Pizza Index is now at $1,115,411,643! Customers await in line at a Pizza hut where people can pay with Bitcoin (Photo by Roque ... More Alvarenga/APHOTOGRAFIA/Getty Images) But back then, they were worth about $41. A man named Jeremy Sturdivant accepted Laszlo's proposal, ordered two pizzas from Papa John's, and delivered them to Laszlo's door. The pizzas themselves were nothing extraordinary—just pepperoni and olives—but their symbolic significance was groundbreaking. Bitcoin Pizza Day highlights a key moment in cryptocurrency's journey from digital curiosity to mainstream financial powerhouse. But beyond the monetary perspective, why exactly is this quirky holiday important? First, it reminds us of Bitcoin's foundational purpose: creating a decentralized digital currency that could facilitate everyday transactions without banks or intermediaries. Laszlo's pizza purchase validated Bitcoin as a usable currency, not merely speculative or theoretical, paving the way for broader adoption. Second, Bitcoin Pizza Day is a powerful symbol of the astonishing rise of cryptocurrency values and technology adoption. Early adopters—like Laszlo—are often visionaries who see potential where others see nothing. His pizza order, which seemed trivial at the time, underscores a central lesson in innovation: early-stage technologies might appear insignificant or quirky initially, but can eventually reshape entire industries. One day we might be celebrating AI Agents using wallets as we see more AI even using cryptocurrency!!! Celebrate Bitcoin. (Photo illustration by) Finally, the day serves as a fun, approachable way to educate the public about cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Bitcoin Pizza Day isn't just about nostalgia—it's become a vehicle to engage people in conversations about digital currencies, financial literacy, and the future of money. Educational events, pizza parties, and special promotions are common, providing accessible entry points for newcomers curious about Bitcoin and crypto's complex world. Educating the world about Bitcoin is essential to get the number of people using Bitcoin to increase. Triple A estimated global cryptocurrency ownership is at an average of 6.8%, The answer lies in both nostalgia and anticipation. For the crypto community, it's a sentimental reminder of Bitcoin's humble beginnings. Many view Laszlo's transaction with a whimsical admiration—here was someone bold enough to experiment, playful enough to take risks, and visionary enough to trust a digital currency few understood at the time. Moreover, Bitcoin Pizza Day offers a moment to reflect on the staggering growth and volatility of cryptocurrency. Each year, we recalculate just how expensive those pizzas have become, which serves as a dramatic visualization of Bitcoin's meteoric rise. It's a collective moment of astonishment, humility, and sometimes gentle humor about the unpredictable nature of innovation and investment. Yet, beyond financial figures and crypto trivia, the ongoing celebration speaks to the vibrant, passionate community surrounding blockchain technology. Pizza Day festivities foster a sense of camaraderie and community spirit, uniting seasoned crypto enthusiasts with curious newcomers. It's a global event bridging diverse backgrounds, all gathered around a shared history—and, of course, great pizza. Ultimately, Bitcoin Pizza Day remains significant because it encapsulates the adventurous spirit and unpredictable nature of technological progress. It reminds us that groundbreaking ideas often start as seemingly trivial actions. Whether you're a seasoned blockchain investor, a tech enthusiast, or someone just discovering cryptocurrency, today is an invitation to enjoy some pizza, appreciate the audacity of innovation, and reflect on how a single, simple action can ripple through history. So, as you savor your slice today, think of Laszlo Hanyecz—whose playful experiment shaped the narrative of digital money. Celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day with pride and curiosity, remembering that sometimes the most revolutionary acts are those disguised as everyday pleasures. Did you enjoy this story about Bitcoin Pizza? Don't miss my next one: Use the blue follow button at the top of the article near my byline to follow more of my work.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Breaking: Bitcoin Pizza Day Celebrates Crypto's Historic Moment
Bitcoin Pizza Day! Two pizzas for a price of 10000 Bitcoins. Pizza Index It's not every day that ordering pizza makes history. Yet, one seemingly ordinary purchase in May 2010 became legendary, sparking an annual celebration known globally as Bitcoin Pizza Day. So, grab a slice and let's dive into this deliciously quirky tale. On May 22, 2010, a programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz posted a casual request on an internet forum: he offered to pay 10,000 bitcoins to anyone willing to deliver two large pizzas to his Florida home. At the time, Bitcoin was barely a year old, and these digital coins were more a geeky curiosity than a financial instrument. Laszlo's offer was intriguing but seemed harmless enough. Little did anyone realize, this simple transaction would later be recognized as the very first documented purchase using Bitcoin, marking a critical milestone in cryptocurrency history. Today, those 10,000 bitcoins would be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. In fact, the Bitcoin Pizza Index is now at $1,115,411,643! Customers await in line at a Pizza hut where people can pay with Bitcoin (Photo by Roque ... More Alvarenga/APHOTOGRAFIA/Getty Images) But back then, they were worth about $41. A man named Jeremy Sturdivant accepted Laszlo's proposal, ordered two pizzas from Papa John's, and delivered them to Laszlo's door. The pizzas themselves were nothing extraordinary—just pepperoni and olives—but their symbolic significance was groundbreaking. Bitcoin Pizza Day highlights a key moment in cryptocurrency's journey from digital curiosity to mainstream financial powerhouse. But beyond the monetary perspective, why exactly is this quirky holiday important? First, it reminds us of Bitcoin's foundational purpose: creating a decentralized digital currency that could facilitate everyday transactions without banks or intermediaries. Laszlo's pizza purchase validated Bitcoin as a usable currency, not merely speculative or theoretical, paving the way for broader adoption. Second, Bitcoin Pizza Day is a powerful symbol of the astonishing rise of cryptocurrency values and technology adoption. Early adopters—like Laszlo—are often visionaries who see potential where others see nothing. His pizza order, which seemed trivial at the time, underscores a central lesson in innovation: early-stage technologies might appear insignificant or quirky initially, but can eventually reshape entire industries. One day we might be celebrating AI Agents using wallets as we see more AI even using cryptocurrency!!! Celebrate Bitcoin. (Photo illustration by) Finally, the day serves as a fun, approachable way to educate the public about cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Bitcoin Pizza Day isn't just about nostalgia—it's become a vehicle to engage people in conversations about digital currencies, financial literacy, and the future of money. Educational events, pizza parties, and special promotions are common, providing accessible entry points for newcomers curious about Bitcoin and crypto's complex world. Educating the world about Bitcoin is essential to get the number of people using Bitcoin to increase. Triple A estimated global cryptocurrency ownership is at an average of 6.8%, The answer lies in both nostalgia and anticipation. For the crypto community, it's a sentimental reminder of Bitcoin's humble beginnings. Many view Laszlo's transaction with a whimsical admiration—here was someone bold enough to experiment, playful enough to take risks, and visionary enough to trust a digital currency few understood at the time. Moreover, Bitcoin Pizza Day offers a moment to reflect on the staggering growth and volatility of cryptocurrency. Each year, we recalculate just how expensive those pizzas have become, which serves as a dramatic visualization of Bitcoin's meteoric rise. It's a collective moment of astonishment, humility, and sometimes gentle humor about the unpredictable nature of innovation and investment. Yet, beyond financial figures and crypto trivia, the ongoing celebration speaks to the vibrant, passionate community surrounding blockchain technology. Pizza Day festivities foster a sense of camaraderie and community spirit, uniting seasoned crypto enthusiasts with curious newcomers. It's a global event bridging diverse backgrounds, all gathered around a shared history—and, of course, great pizza. Ultimately, Bitcoin Pizza Day remains significant because it encapsulates the adventurous spirit and unpredictable nature of technological progress. It reminds us that groundbreaking ideas often start as seemingly trivial actions. Whether you're a seasoned blockchain investor, a tech enthusiast, or someone just discovering cryptocurrency, today is an invitation to enjoy some pizza, appreciate the audacity of innovation, and reflect on how a single, simple action can ripple through history. So, as you savor your slice today, think of Laszlo Hanyecz—whose playful experiment shaped the narrative of digital money. Celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day with pride and curiosity, remembering that sometimes the most revolutionary acts are those disguised as everyday pleasures. Did you enjoy this story about Bitcoin Pizza? Don't miss my next one: Use the blue follow button at the top of the article near my byline to follow more of my work.
