HTX, a cryptocurrency alternate, has kicked off a particular 14-day marketing campaign to have a good time Bitcoin Pizza Day, one of the iconic anniversaries in crypto historical past. From Could 13 to Could 26, HTX customers can take part in a “Surprise Gifts” giveaway value over $200,000. The rewards will probably be distributed day by day by way of the HTX app, beginning at 02:00 UTC every day.

The $300 Million Pizza That Began It All

HTX goals to make use of this marketing campaign to honor Bitcoin’s most historic buy. To grasp why this occasion issues, one should revisit the second that gave beginning to Bitcoin Pizza Day—a easy pizza buy that grew to become the primary real-world Bitcoin transaction. It occurred on Could 22, 2010. A programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz, an early Bitcoin developer, posted on the BitcoinTalk discussion board providing 10,000 BTC in alternate for 2 pizzas. On the time, Bitcoin was an obscure digital forex, largely confined to area of interest on-line communities, and 10,000 BTC was value solely about $41.

Laszlo didn’t wish to mine Bitcoin endlessly with out utilizing it for one thing tangible. His request wasn’t directed at a restaurant—it was to the neighborhood. He logged onto the BitcoinTalk discussion board and made an uncommon provide:

“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.”

Quickly, a 19-year-old consumer named Jeremy Sturdivant (often known as “Jercos”) responded. Jeremy ordered two massive Papa John’s pizzas for Laszlo and delivered them straight to his door. In return, Laszlo transferred 10,000 BTC to him.

No apps, No QR codes, No KYC, Simply two nerds making a deal over the web, fueled by curiosity and carbs. And identical to that, the primary real-world Bitcoin transaction was born. At the moment, these 10,000 bitcoins could be value greater than $1.037 billion.

The Developer, the Teen, and the Billion-Greenback Deal

Laszlo Hanyecz wasn’t simply the man who purchased the world’s costliest pizza—he was additionally a key contributor to Bitcoin’s early codebase. He developed one of many first GPU miners and helped port Bitcoin’s code to Mac OS. On the time, although, he merely wished to make use of Bitcoin in a real-world situation. His aim was to show it might perform like cash. Actually, after that first transaction, he reportedly spent one other 100,000 BTC on pizzas that very same summer season.

On the opposite facet of the deal, Jeremy Sturdivant didn’t change into a millionaire. Like many within the early crypto scene, he didn’t anticipate Bitcoin’s astronomical rise. He later revealed that he spent the ten,000 BTC on journey bills for a enterprise journey. In a 2013 interview, he famous that it felt like a easy alternate, no completely different than buying and selling some other forex for items. At the moment, Bitcoin was simply starting to point out its potential.

You Could Additionally Like: Crypto Comedy! Bitcoin Pizza Bought for $40 Are Now Price $700M

Why Could 22 Grew to become Bitcoin Pizza Day

Annually on Could 22, crypto customers world wide mark the anniversary of this landmark occasion. Bitcoin Pizza Day has change into a day of reflection and celebration. It’s a reminder of how far Bitcoin has come—from a little-known software program challenge to a worldwide monetary instrument. It additionally stands as a humorous and humble lesson about worth, hindsight, and innovation.

Many have a good time the day by shopping for pizza with Bitcoin, organizing native meetups, or becoming a member of world occasions. In 2021, the CryptoBootcampCommunity hosted Pizza Day occasions throughout African cities like Abuja and Kampala. In 2023, CryptoBillis organized what was billed as “Probably, The Largest Bitcoin Pizza Party in the World” in collaboration with Polygon Guild Malaysia and different companions.

HTX’s marketing campaign is simply part of this ongoing custom. By providing crypto rewards and collaborating with key initiatives, HTX brings collectively the neighborhood in a enjoyable and significant method.

Bitcoin Pizza Day isn’t nearly wanting again at a $$1.037 billion meal. It’s a reminder of what Bitcoin represents. When Laszlo made that buy in 2010, the world was nonetheless recovering from the 2008 monetary disaster. Belief in conventional finance had been shaken. Bitcoin, with its decentralized design and glued provide, provided a brand new mannequin—an alternative choice to inflation-prone currencies and opaque monetary techniques.

At the moment, Bitcoin has change into a widely known asset. Furthermore, with advances just like the Lightning Community, individuals can now purchase pizza and numerous different items utilizing BTC with minimal charges and instantaneous settlement. 1000’s of retailers settle for Bitcoin globally, and new infrastructure ensures that what started as a distinct segment experiment is now a viable fee technique.