Laszlo Hanyecz created history on May 22, 2010, when he paid 10,000 BTC for two pizzas, the first known Bitcoin transaction in the real world. Those coins were valued roughly $41 at the time. Depending on the state of the market, their current value could be in the hundreds of millions. What started out as an odd transaction between cryptography aficionados has grown into a historic occasion that is commemorated every year as Bitcoin Pizza Day.
Beyond the million-dollar regrets and memes, though, is a more profound query: What will happen to cryptocurrency and daily spending in the next ten years?
From Novelty to Norm
More than just a ridiculously costly meal, Bitcoin Pizza Day signifies the start of cryptocurrency's ascent to legitimacy. Since then, cryptocurrencies have changed from being speculative assets to instruments that have the ability to fundamentally alter the way we save, transact, and hold money.
Stablecoins as Everyday Currency
The weakness of cryptocurrency has always been its volatility. However, the emergence of stablecoins such as USDC and USDT provides a solid link between cryptocurrency and fiat money. Stablecoins have the potential to become the preferred method for international remittances and payroll in the upcoming decade, particularly in areas where local currencies are erratic.
Tokenized Real-World Assests
Real estate, cars, music royalties, and more could be tokenized and traded like crypto — lowering the entry barrier for investment and enabling fractional ownership. This would radically democratize access to wealth-building opportunities.
A Universe Apart From Pizza
The next Bitcoin Pizza Day might entail using a stablecoin wallet that links through a decentralized identity to pay for dinner. A DeFi protocol would provide a cashback yield, and everything would be handled in a matter of seconds with almost no fees.
What began with two pizzas could lead to a rethinking of what money is.
