Who bought pizza for bitcoin? The forgotten hero of the most famous crypto transaction 🍕₿

When it comes to the deal that defined the history of digital currencies, everyone remembers Laszlo Hanyecz. In May 2010, he bought pizza with bitcoins — 10,000 BTC for two Papa John’s pizzas. At the time, it was about $41, but today those coins would be worth over $730 million. However, there’s another hero in this legendary story that few remember. When Laszlo bought pizza with bitcoin, someone had to sell him that pizza.

Jeremy Sturdivant: The man who received 10,000 BTC

The person who agreed to receive 10,000 bitcoins in exchange for two pizzas is Jeremy Sturdivant, known in online communities by the nickname “jercos.” He was only 19 years old when he actively participated in early Bitcoin forums. It was there on May 22, 2010, that he saw an unusual offer from Laszlo: to exchange cryptocurrency for a real product. For a young programmer, it was an exciting opportunity — to take part in an experiment that few understood at the time.

Jeremy didn’t hesitate long. He ordered the pizzas and sent them to Laszlo, receiving digital coins in return. It seemed like just a simple deal between two enthusiasts, but in reality, it was a moment that forever changed how the world views cryptocurrency.

What happened to the 10,000 bitcoins?

Unlike Laszlo, whose story became a cautionary tale about a “lost fortune,” Jeremy did something entirely different with his bitcoins. He didn’t hoard the coins waiting for their value to rise. Instead, he gradually spent or exchanged them as Bitcoin gained popularity in niche online communities.

This was common practice in the early 2010s. Bitcoin was not seen as a store of value but as an experimental digital currency meant for real transactions. “HODL” — the famous strategy of holding onto coins — was not yet part of crypto culture. Later, in interviews, Jeremy explained that he never regretted receiving or spending his bitcoins. Back then, these coins had minimal value, and it made sense for him to use them as a medium of exchange rather than digital gold.

Why has Jeremy’s story remained in the shadows?

Despite being a key figure in this historic moment, Jeremy stayed out of the spotlight. Laszlo became a celebrity in the crypto world — his name appears in every article about Bitcoin Pizza Day, his interviews are analyzed, and his decision to spend 10,000 BTC is discussed as a classic missed opportunity.

But Jeremy chose a different path. He didn’t give countless interviews or put himself at the center of the story. Instead, he preferred to remain an unnoticed participant in the crypto revolution. However, his absence from the stage and the spotlight doesn’t make his role any less significant.

Two sides of the same coin: Laszlo and Jeremy

Criticism culture often focuses on “losses” — on what was missed. The Bitcoin Pizza Day story has become a moral tale about the importance of believing in potential and not spending valuable assets. Every year on May 22, the crypto community remembers how Laszlo could have become a billionaire if he had simply held onto his bitcoins.

But this focus on losses hides a deeper truth. Laszlo bought pizza with bitcoin because Jeremy agreed to accept payment in cryptocurrency. Without Jeremy, this transaction would have been impossible. He didn’t just participate in an experiment — he proved that Bitcoin can work as a medium of exchange in the real world.

This difference between the stories of two people reflects two different approaches to innovation: one focuses on what was spent, the other on what was created. Jeremy created a moment when cryptocurrency stopped being just a theoretical concept and became a tool for real people for real transactions.

Why does this matter?

Without people willing to accept bitcoins in exchange for goods and services, cryptocurrency would remain an underground hobby of programmers. Jeremy Sturdivant was one of the first to understand a simple truth: for a currency to work, it must be used. His willingness to order a pizza and receive a new, untested digital currency was an act of faith in the potential of new technology.

The story of Bitcoin Pizza Day is often told as a story of regret and missed opportunities. But it can also be a story about two people doing what pioneers do: experimenting, taking risks, and shaping the future. Both Laszlo and Jeremy played key roles in demonstrating that a decentralized currency can function in real economic relationships.

Next time you hear about Bitcoin Pizza Day, remember not only Laszlo and his 10,000 bitcoins that he spent. Remember also Jeremy Sturdivant, the young programmer who bought pizza with bitcoin and made history. He deserves to be remembered not as someone who missed a fortune, but as someone who helped make the crypto revolution possible. 🍕₿