#LearnAndDiscusss May 22, 2010: Two Papa John’s pizzas were purchased for 10,000 BTC, marking the first real-world transaction using Bitcoin. Today, that historic deal is worth over $700 million at current prices. Every year, the crypto community celebrates Bitcoin Pizza Day, but let’s flip the toppings and ask: What if those 10,000 BTC were HODLed instead?

1. From $41 to $700M: The Most Expensive Pizzas Ever?

In 2010, 10,000 BTC was roughly worth $41. Fast forward to today, and those same coins could buy a private island, fund a space mission, or bankroll multiple unicorn startups.

The "HODL" philosophy—born from a drunken forum post—has since become gospel for many crypto investors. If Laszlo Hanyecz had HODLed, he'd be among the richest early adopters. But then again, would Bitcoin have gained traction without someone spending it

2. Bitcoin's True Value: Spend or Store?

Bitcoin Pizza Day isn’t just a quirky memory; it’s a reminder of Bitcoin’s evolving identity

Currency vs. Asset: Back then, Bitcoin was seen more as internet money. Today, it's often viewed as digital gold.

Use Case Validation: That pizza proved Bitcoin could be used in real life—a critical moment for adoption.

So while HODLing sounds smarter in hindsight, spending BTC helped create the very ecosystem that made it valuable.

3. Community Reflections: Regret or Pride?

Laszlo himself says he has no regrets. In fact, he continued to spend BTC on pizza multiple times afterward. “I don’t regret it. I think that it’s great that I got to be part of the early history of Bitcoin,” he once said.

Bitcoin Pizza Day has become a symbolic milestone for:

Newbies learning Bitcoin history

Veterans remembering humble beginnings

Communities bonding over how far crypto has come

4. TL;DR: It’s Not About the Pizza

Bitcoin Pizza Day is less about regret and more about recognition: of innovation, adoption, and the long game. Whether you HODL, trade, or spend—every action contributes to the crypto narrative.

So this May 22nd, maybe skip the calculator and grab a slice. Because in the crypto world, every pizza bought, every coin HODLed, and every lesson learned brings us one step closer to global adoption.