Laszlo Hanyecz: The Unsung Bitcoin Legend Who Spent $2.4 Billion on Pizza đđ
In April 2010, a Florida-based Mac programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz stumbled upon something that would change the worldâBitcoin, which was trading at less than a penny. đ» At the time, Bitcoin was only running on Windows, but Laszlo quickly translated Satoshi Nakamotoâs code to MacOS, expanding the networkâs reach. Within a week, his work was already helping new users dive into this revolutionary technology.
Laszlo didn't just write code; he made history. đ He became one of Satoshiâs most trusted collaborators, deeply involved in shaping Bitcoinâs future. Together, they discussed everything from Bitcoinâs value to how its payments should work.
But Laszloâs contributions didnât stop there. As one of Bitcoinâs first five developers, he was at the forefront of its development, even earning Satoshiâs praise for his work on the third version of Bitcoin's software. đ
Not just a coder, Laszlo was also a pioneering miner. He was the first to harness the power of GPUs for mining, dramatically increasing the network's hashpower. In just two months, he mined over 35,000 BTC, watching his balance soar to over 80,000 Bitcoin. đČ Thatâs over $2.4 billion today!
Yet, Laszlo wasnât in it just for the money. When Satoshi expressed concerns about mining becoming too centralized, Laszlo didnât quit. Instead, he decided to give back. He dusted off an idea from Satoshiâs own playbook and posted an offer that would become legendary: 10,000 BTC for two pizzas. đ At the time, 10,000 BTC was worth a mere $41.
That transaction? Itâs now the most famous pizza delivery in history.
Laszlo Hanyecz may have spent what is now billions on pizza, but his legacy in the crypto world is priceless. đ