Ever bought a pizza, a car, or even real estate with Bitcoin? Depending on when you did it, you might be sitting on a goldmine – or kicking yourself over a financial facepalm.
MILESTONE | Bitcoin is the Second Best Performing Asset in 2023, Reveals Latest Study
As of November 30 2023, the overall gain for bitcoin stands at an impressive 160%. Notably, only the stock of semiconductor giant, Nvidia, has outpaced bitcoin’s performance, boasting a gain… pic.twitter.com/BnzH6hHExB
— BitKE (@BitcoinKE) December 29, 2023
A recent study has dug deep into some of the most legendary Bitcoin purchases of all time – ranking them not by what they cost back then, but by what those Bitcoins would be worth now in 2024.
And let’s just say, the results are mind-blowing.
1.) A Trump SoHo Condo – Now Worth $2.08 Billion
Topping the list is a one-bedroom condo in the Trump SoHo (now The Dominick) in New York. Back in 2013, it sold for 25,500 BTC – worth about $2 million at the time.
Fast forward to 2024? That same stash of Bitcoin would now clock in at a jaw-dropping $2,076,885,240.
Yep, that’s over $2 billion for a single apartment. Easily the most expensive Bitcoin purchase in history.
2.) The Bitcoin Pizza – Now Worth $814 Million
It wouldn’t be a crypto history lesson without the infamous pizza story.
In May 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz made history by spending 10,000 BTC on two Papa John’s pizzas—marking the first documented purchase made with Bitcoin. At the time, that was about $40. Today? Those two large pies would set you back a cool $814,464,800. No regrets though—Hanyecz says he’s just proud to be part of crypto’s origin story.
Why the World Marks #Bitcoin Pizza Day on May 22 Every Year https://t.co/CArRBPqbmz #BitcoinPizzaDay #May22
— BitKE (@BitcoinKE) May 21, 2022
3.) Lake Tahoe Property – Worth $223 Million Today
In 2014, a buyer scooped up a scenic 1.4-acre plot near Lake Tahoe for 2,739 BTC (~$1.6M then). That real estate deal would now be worth $223,081,909. And yes, the buyer later admitted some regret.
4.) A Toyota Prius – Worth $81 Million?
In what might be crypto’s most painful car purchase, investor Michael Tozoni bought a second-hand Prius in 2013 for 1,000 BTC (then worth ~$22,000). In today’s market, those coins would be worth $81,446,480. Tozoni now calls it a lesson in crypto patience.
Top 10 Most Expensive Bitcoin Buys (in 2024 value):
| Rank | Purchase | Value in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trump SoHo Condo | $2,076,885,240 |
| 2 | Two Papa John’s Pizzas | $814,464,800 |
| 3 | Lake Tahoe Property | $223,081,909 |
| 4 | Toyota Prius | $81,446,480 |
| 5 | Two SpaceShipTwo Tickets | $73,301,832 |
| 6 | Luxury Villa in Bali | $65,157,184 |
| 7 | 4-Bedroom Penthouse in Miami | $49,953,640 |
| 8 | 7-Bedroom Miami House | $37,058,148 |
| 9 | Lakefront Mansion in Austin | $33,970,739 |
| 10 | 40m Motor Yacht | $23,623,561 |
Other Wild Bitcoin Purchases:
- Virgin Galactic Tickets: The Winklevoss twins dropped 900 BTC (~$510K back then) on SpaceShipTwo tickets. Those BTC are now worth $73 million – and they still haven’t gone to space.
- Bali Villa: Sold for 800 BTC in 2014 (~$500K), now worth $65 million.
- Surfside Miami Penthouse: Purchased for 613 BTC in 2021, now valued at $49.9 million.
- Austin Lakefront Mansion: Bought in 2022 for 417 BTC, now worth $33.9 million.
- Benetti Motor Yacht: Sold in 2022 for 290 BTC—once $11.2M, now nearly $23.6 million.
And let’s not forget crypto’s love affair with luxury rides – other big-ticket Bitcoin buys include a Lamborghini Gallardo and a Tesla Model S.
What This Means for Bitcoin Investors
This study is a powerful reminder that Bitcoin isn’t just a speculative asset – it’s also been used to buy real-world goods for over a decade.
But with Bitcoin’s price volatility, timing is everything.
While crypto can be a game-changer for financial freedom, it’s crucial to approach big purchases with long-term thinking.
Avoid decisions based on short-term hype. View major purchases as long-term investments, and always understand the risks before you hit ‘send.
TL;DR?
If you’re going to buy a Prius with Bitcoin, make sure you won’t lose sleep when that same BTC could buy you a superyacht a few years later.
Would you still spend Bitcoin on real-world goods – or are you strictly HODLing?
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