Bitcoin (BTC) marked a relatively quiet day in trading Wednesday as the global crypto community celebrated the milestone event known as “Bitcoin Pizza Day.” Following a massive surge in value on Monday that saw it tap $71,360, Bitcoin exhibited a brief period of recoil, reflecting typical price fluctuations in the volatile cryptocurrency market.
Bitcoin Pizza Day, observed annually on May 22nd, commemorates the first documented real-world Bitcoin transaction. Notably, about fourteen years ago, on May 22nd, 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz, a programmer, made history by offering 10,000 Bitcoins (worth just over $703 million today) for the delivery of two Papa John’s pizzas to his doorstep. This transaction, while seemingly trivial at the time, symbolizes a pivotal moment in Bitcoin’s journey toward mainstream adoption.
To honor this significant event, cryptocurrency enthusiasts worldwide have been convening on the said date for various celebrations, from in-person meetups to virtual gatherings and social media campaigns. Businesses such as restaurants, cafes, and online retailers have also joined the celebration by offering special deals and discounts to patrons using Bitcoin wallets.
On Wednesday, crypto personalities also took to social media to express their sentiments on Bitcoin Pizza Day. Binance CEO Richard Teng highlighted the industry’s growth and evolution over the past decade, noting the increasing utility of cryptocurrencies beyond pizza purchases.
“A very happy Bitcoin Pizza Day, everyone! Today offers a heartwarming reminder of how young our industry is, but also how much we’ve grown and evolved in the past 14 years. You can now buy a lot more than just pizzas with crypto!” wrote Teng.
Bitcoin maximalist Michael Saylor thanked Laszlo Hanyecz for his pioneering transaction and wished the community a happy Bitcoin Pizza Day.
Crypto exchanges also joined the festivities, with some like Gemini, Bybit, and Coinbase offering giveaways and promotions to engage users and celebrate the occasion.
That said, as Bitcoin Pizza Day festivities unfolded, it served as a poignant reminder of the transformative potential of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Bitcoin’s acceptance as a means of payment by millions of businesses worldwide, coupled with recent developments such as El Salvador adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, underscores its growing significance in global finance.
Moreover, Bitcoin’s rising popularity has attracted attention from political and regulatory spheres. Candidates in the upcoming US presidential election are vying for support from the crypto community by pledging improved crypto incentives and accepting Bitcoin donations for what is now widely referred to as the “First Bitcoin Election.”
Bitcoin was trading at $70,024 at press time, reflecting a 1.88% drop over the past 24 hours.
