Despite the price recently crossing $100k and then reaching an all-time high (in dollars), the media have been unusually quiet.
Meanwhile, companies and even entire countries continue signaling support and acquiring bitcoin behind the scenes.
With soaring inflation in countries like Turkey and Argentina, Bitcoin is also hitting all-time highs there, all while educational programs like Trezor Academy are onboarding the next wave of Bitcoiners. More people are looking at Bitcoin as the solution to their problem.
The general consensus? The market feels disconnected from what’s really happening in Bitcoin. Bullish.
Keep reading to learn about how we’re preparing for quantum technology, and what’s been happening in Bitcoin this month.
As crypto adoption grows, choosing the right wallet has become a critical decision for users. You’ve probably heard of custodial and non-custodial wallets. But what exactly is the difference? Which one offers better security?
This article breaks it down in simple terms.
Contents:
What Is a Crypto Wallet
In traditional finance, we store money in bank accounts and make payments with credit cards. In the crypto world, a wallet is a tool used to store, receive, and send digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).
From a technical perspective, crypto wallets don’t actually “store” your coins. The coins themselves exist on the blockchain. What wallets do is generate and manage the keys that control your assets: the private key and the public key.
In simple terms:
Think of it this way:
Whoever holds your private key controls your crypto. There’s no “forgot password” button. If you lose the key, your assets are likely lost forever.
Besides managing access, wallets are also used to sign transactions, proving they’re authorized by you. This cryptographic signature is then verified and recorded on the blockchain.
Types of Crypto Wallets
Crypto wallets can be categorized based on who controls the private key and how the key is stored.
Based on Private Key Ownership:
Custodial Wallet: Your private key is held by a third party (e.g., an exchange).
Non-Custodial Wallet (Decentralized Wallet): You hold your own private key and control your assets.
Based on Storage and Connectivity:
Software Wallet (Hot Wallet): Stores the private key on your device and connects to the internet.
Hardware Wallet (Cold Wallet): Stores the key on a physical device, kept offline for enhanced security.
Other Specialized Wallet Types:
Multi-Signature Wallet: Requires multiple signatures to authorize a transaction. Common in DAOs and enterprise treasury setups.
Smart Contract Wallet: Governed by programmable logic (e.g., spending limits, social recovery) instead of just a private key.
Social Recovery Wallet: Replaces private key management with a group of trusted “guardians” who can help recover access.
In this article, we’ll focus on the core distinction between custodial and non-custodial wallets. This is a decision that shapes how much control (and responsibility) you have over your crypto.
What Is a Custodial Wallet
A custodial wallet is one where a third-party platform holds and manages your private keys on your behalf. The third-party platforms are usually an exchange or financial service provider. In other words, you don’t fully control your funds.
Most centralized exchange accounts (like Binance, Coinbase, or OKX) are custodial by default. They’re easy to use: log in, see your balance, and trade instantly. If you forget your password, you can usually recover access via email or customer support.
Custodial wallets also require KYC (Know Your Customer) identity verification. You’ll need to submit documents like an ID, proof of address, and a selfie. These details are stored by the platform and may be shared with authorities upon request. This helps prevent fraud and enables fiat on- and off-ramps but also means reduced privacy and increased exposure to data breaches or account freezes.
Benefits:
Beginner-friendly: No need to understand key management; easy to set up and use.
Supports fiat integration: Easily buy crypto with credit card or bank transfer.
Advanced trading features: Limit orders, margin, OCO, etc.
Account recovery: Lost your password? You can recover your account.
KYC adds compliance and fraud protection.
Risks & Drawbacks:
No key = no true ownership: If the platform goes down or gets hacked, you could lose access.
Mismanagement risk: As seen with FTX, user funds may be misused.
History of platform failures: From Mt. Gox to FTX, custodial platforms have failed before.
Requires trust: You must trust the provider’s security, solvency, and ethics.
Lower privacy: Personal data is stored and may be disclosed to third parties.
Tips for Custodial Wallet Users:
Check if the provider is regulated in a trusted jurisdiction.
Look for proof-of-reserves audits.
Check if your assets are insured.
Make sure account recovery is available and secure.
For beginners or short-term users, custodial wallets can be a convenient starting point. They also simplify inheritance planning, allowing access sharing and recovery setups. But remember, you’re trading control for convenience, so choose a provider you can trust.
What Is a Non-Custodial Wallet
A non-custodial wallet puts the private key and full asset control directly in your hands. No third party can access or freeze your funds. This is the foundation of self-sovereign finance in the Web3 era.
Popular non-custodial wallets include:
If a custodial wallet is like putting your money in a bank, a non-custodial wallet is like storing your cash in a personal safe. You’re the only one with the key but if you lose it, no one can help you get it back.
Setting up a non-custodial wallet is simple: just download an app or activate a hardware wallet. No KYC or personal information required. You’re anonymous and independent, which is the core values of decentralization.
When using these wallets with DApps, DEXs, or NFT platforms, your wallet address becomes your identity. Not your name, phone number, or ID.
But be aware: although non-custodial wallets don’t require KYC, blockchains are public. All transactions are traceable. If you interact with a KYC’d wallet or exchange, your activity could be de-anonymized. Without privacy tools (e.g., Tornado Cash or zk-rollups), your wallet’s activity may still be exposed.
Benefits:
You hold the keys = you own the funds
No reliance on third parties
Fast, unrestricted transactions
No service or withdrawal fees
KYC-free setup = stronger privacy and pseudonymity
Essential for using Web3 tools: DEXs like Uniswap, DeFi apps, NFT platforms, and more
Risks & Responsibilities:
Lose your key = lose your funds forever
Risk of scams: Phishing sites and malicious DApps can trick users
Public ledger visibility: Activity is traceable unless privacy protocols are used
Because you alone control your assets, you also carry all the responsibility. There’s no password reset or customer support. That’s why seed phrase security and safe signing practices are essential.
Best Practices for Non-Custodial Wallets:
Back up your seed phrase and store it offline
Use strong passwords and enable 2FA where available
Avoid suspicious links or downloads
Keep your wallet software and device updated
Consider wallets with beginner-friendly recovery options (e.g., CoolWallet Go)
Despite the steeper learning curve, modern non-custodial wallets like CoolWallet have made self-custody more accessible with improved UX and simplified recovery features.
Non-custodial wallets mean freedom but also full responsibility. You alone own and control your crypto. If you’re ready to be your own bank, this is where your journey begins.
Which Type of Wallet Should I Use?
Both custodial and non-custodial wallets can store crypto and NFTs. Most users end up using a mix depending on their needs:
Use custodial wallets for trading, fiat access, and short-term storage
Use non-custodial wallets (especially hardware wallets) for long-term, high-value holdings
If you value privacy and control, go non-custodial. If you prioritize ease and fiat onramps, start with custodial.
Just as important: choose a wallet that supports the blockchain and tokens you need. Ethereum (ERC-20), BNB Chain (BEP-20), and Tron (TRC-20) all have different standards. Sending tokens to an incompatible wallet or chain can result in permanent loss.
If you’re active across chains or frequently interact with DApps and NFTs, opt for a multi-chain, Web3-compatible non-custodial wallet.
For example, CoolWallet supports multiple chains, Web3 DApps, and features a Smart Scan tool that analyzes contracts in real time to help you avoid risky interactions.
You might be wondering if this is even a problem for you right now, and honestly, it depends on your situation. The fact is that it does effect everyone, so you need to be aware. Still, if you’ve received a large amount of UTXOs (for example, if you buy a small amount of bitcoin regularly and spend a lot of bitcoin), you should start considering taking steps to manage your UTXOs sooner rather than later. Since the bitcoin you own today may be worth far more in the future, it’s better to be cautious.
Now that we know that managing these UTXOs is essential, wouldn’t it be great if you could organize them? Yes!
Let’s introduce the concept of UTXO consolidation: the process of combining smaller UTXOs into one larger UTXO by sending a transaction to yourself. This will help reduce fees and simplify your future transactions.
You would usually only want to consolidate UTXOs from the same source (for example, keeping business payments separate from personal savings). This way, you can maintain your privacy while managing your UTXOs efficiently and saving on future fees.
*It’s usually recommended to avoid combining all your funds into a single UTXO*
How do you do this?
First, wait until bitcoin fees are quite low. Then, select which UTXOs you want to combine and send them to yourself, creating a new, single UTXO. This is easy to do in Trezor Suite.
So in practice, you can consolidate UTXOs selectively, maintain your privacy, and avoid higher fees.
Important: If you’re not careful, UTXO consolidation comes with a privacy risk. Although it will reduce future fees, if you merge UTXOs linked to different addresses, you could end up revealing your total wallet balance on the blockchain.
Billy buys bitcoin monthly, and each time it’s sent to a different address.
He also receives regular bitcoin payments for freelance work he does to the same wallet.
Billy’s wallet contains UTXOs that aren’t linked, so his overall wallet balance remains private, but all these UTXOs will result in higher transaction fees. So Billy decides to consolidate his bitcoin by sending it all to his wallet, creating a new, single UTXO.
By combining and consolidating all these UTXOs at once, Billy is revealing his entire bitcoin wallet balance to the blockchain. Both the exchange that he was buying bitcoin from and anyone who was paying him in BTC can now see his total wallet balance!
*This is irreversible*
Once you do this, it cannot be reversed. If your holdings become publicly known, this could lead to future security issues.
Buying crypto is easy. Securing it puts you in control.
If you’ve wondered whether exchanges are really safe, or what it means to “hold your own keys,” you’re not alone.
This article is for anyone who wants to take the next step: to understand what self-custody really means, why it matters, and how a hardware wallet helps you protect what’s yours.
Buying crypto is just the beginning. The most important part is you secure it.
Most people start by keeping crypto on an exchange or in an app. It’s easy, but it comes with a cost: you’re trusting someone else to hold your money. And if that platform gets hacked, freezes your account, or shuts down, your assets could disappear overnight.
Self-custody changes that. It means you, and only you, control the private keys that unlock your crypto. No third parties or gatekeepers.
Crypto was built on the idea of independence. Self-custody puts that into practice. It’s a shift in mindset: you’re not just investing, you’re owning your financial future.
A hardware wallet is a tool built for one purpose: keeping your crypto keys safe by keeping them offline.
When you set it up, your private keys are created inside the device, and they never leave it.
Even when plugged into your phone or computer, the wallet doesn’t share those keys. Instead, it signs transactions internally, then sends only the signed data out. Your keys stay isolated from the internet at all times.
This is called cold storage, and it’s the foundation of how hardware wallets protect your crypto.
The reason offline storage matters is simple: most online threats rely on access.
Malware, phishing attacks, and remote exploits all try to steal your private keys. But with a hardware wallet, the keys never touch your computer or phone, so your crypto stays safe even if those are compromised.
Each transaction must be physically confirmed on the device. You see exactly what you’re approving before anything is sent, which prevents invisible tampering.
The wallet runs minimal, purpose-built code. No extra apps. No background processes. That simplicity reduces the ways something can go wrong.
It’s this combination — offline isolation, physical confirmation, and minimal attack surface — that gives hardware wallets their unmatched level of protection.
Crypto wallets fall into two main types: software and hardware.
A software wallet is an app on your phone or computer. It’s great for quick access and small payments, but because it’s connected to the internet, your keys are more exposed.
A hardware wallet stores your keys offline in a separate device. This makes it much harder for hackers or malware to access your funds.
Use a software wallet if you are transacting often, and a hardware wallet for long-term saving.
A good rule of thumb: only keep in a software wallet what you’d carry in cash.
By combining both, you get the best of both worlds: speed and convenience for daily use, security, and peace of mind for long-term storage.
A hardware wallet protects your keys, but you’re still responsible for backing them up.
When you set up your wallet, it gives you a backup: a list of words to write down and store safely, also called a seed phrase or recovery seed.
Never share your backup, store it digitally, or enter it into an internet-connected device. If someone else gets access to it, they can take your funds; no hacking required.
If your wallet goes missing, your backup gets you back on track.
Trezor was the first hardware wallet ever created, launched in 2014. Since then, it’s become one of the most trusted tools for Bitcoin and crypto self-custody.
Its software and firmware are fully open source, meaning anyone can review and test the code. This kind of transparency helps ensure the security behind the device is real, not just claimed.
Trezor is designed to make self-custody simple. Setting up a wallet is beginner-friendly, and advanced features are available when you’re ready to use them.
Your keys never leave the device. No one (not even Trezor) can access your funds, freeze your account, or act on your behalf.
Behind Trezor is a security-first team and a global community that values privacy, personal freedom, and open technology. And if you ever need help, our support team is here to assist — real people ready to guide you.
Getting started with Trezor is simple. The device guides you through setup step by step, and the Trezor Suite app makes it easy to manage your wallet.
Once your wallet is set up, the most important step is to test and secure your recovery backup. Trezor Suite includes a built-in check so you can make sure everything is written down correctly before you need it.
After that, you’re ready to send and receive crypto.
If you want personal guidance, Trezor Expert offers one-on-one onboarding. A team member will walk you through setup, answer your questions, and help you feel fully in control from the start.
Taking control of your crypto comes with responsibility, but it also brings peace of mind.
With a hardware wallet, you know your keys are safe, and your money is truly yours.
As one of the most influential events in the global crypto industry, TOKEN2049serves as a key platform for tracking Web3 trends. Each year, it brings together developers, investors, industry leaders, and policymakers from around the world. TOKEN2049 is not just a stage for showcasing emerging technologies but also a pivotal arena for strategy, innovation, and industry-wide collaboration.
In 2025, TOKEN2049 continues its dual-city format, with events scheduled biannually in Singapore and Dubai. This year’s first stop lands in Dubai, an emerging blockchain hub in the Middle East. With its forward-thinking regulatory framework for virtual assets, Dubai attracts global capital, technology, and entrepreneurial talent, establishing itself as a strategic center for accelerating Web3 adoption worldwide.
Reflecting on TOKEN2049’s Legacy
Since its inaugural event in Hong Kong in 2018, TOKEN2049 has expanded in scale and global influence, evolving alongside the broader crypto industry. As the market matures, TOKEN2049 shifts its main stages to Singapore and Dubai, solidifying its position as a premier international crypto gathering.
Over the years, TOKEN2049 has welcomed some of the most iconic figures in the blockchain world, including Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, the Solana team, and Binance founder CZ. The event has covered a wide range of critical topics: from public chain innovations and Layer 2 scaling to DeFi breakthroughs, NFT evolution, ecosystem governance, and institutional adoption. These heavyweight discussions have not only shaped the industry’s thinking but also fostered countless venture collaborations and new project launches, making TOKEN2049 a vital barometer of global crypto trends.
Dubai 2025｜Five Industry Trends Redefining the Future of Web3
As the crypto industry enters a new phase of integration and practical deployment, TOKEN2049 Dubai 2025 highlights five key trends expected to shape the future. These themes reflect broader shifts in global finance and tech, while offering clear direction for developers, investors, and the broader market.
Stablecoins and the Future of Global Payments
Stablecoins continue to play a pivotal role in this year’s discussions. Industry leaders likeCircle co-founder Jeremy Allaire and TetherCEO Paolo Ardoino explore the growing role of stablecoins in cross-border payments, corporate finance, and inclusive banking. Speakers also address emerging regulations, compliance frameworks, and infrastructure innovation, emphasizing stablecoins’ foundational place in global financial systems.
Asset Tokenization
Tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs) is one of the most closely watched developments in 2025. Thought leaders fromBlackRock, Apollo, and Securitizeexplain how blockchain transforms the ownership and transfer of real estate, bonds, and private equity. Further sessions examine the tokenization of physical assets, signaling that traditional finance is steadily moving toward full-scale digitization and on-chain transparency.
Web3 × AI: From Tools to Native Ecosystem Participants
The convergence of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology gains significant momentum at TOKEN2049 Dubai 2025. Companies such asNEAR Protocol, Eigen Labs, and Intelligent Internetpresent the latest developments in decentralized AI infrastructure and on-chain automation.
Discussions center around autonomous agents (AI-powered wallets) and the demand for open, trust-minimized AI frameworks. Participants also explore decentralized compute networks, privacy-preserving AI training, and smart contract–based inference pipelines. AI is no longer just a tool for Web3. It emerges as a native participant and autonomous decision-maker within blockchain ecosystems.
Blockchain Spotlight: The Rise of a Multi-Chain Landscape
The evolution of blockchain infrastructure and protocol competition remains a key area of focus.
Solana showcases its roadmap for high-speed on-chain capital markets. Aptos emphasizes fast and secure payment systems powered by the Move language, while Sui promotes its modular architecture for developer flexibility. TRON positions itself as a global settlement layer, and TON leverages Telegram’s massive user base to bring Web3 to the mainstream.
The Ethereum community is set to explore critical issues around Layer 2 scaling, developer experience, and ecosystem governance during sessions like “The Future of Consumer Applications” and “Ethereum’s Existential Crisis.” On the Bitcoin side, teams like Stacks L2 and Babylon plan to showcase innovations focused on trustless infrastructure and BitcoinFi applications.
Regulation and Decentralization: Striking a New Balance
As crypto adoption continues to scale, the balance between regulation and decentralization stands as a core theme at TOKEN2049 Dubai. Policymakers increasingly shift from restrictive stances to more proactive, collaborative frameworks. The goal: to protect users and ensure market integrity, while fostering innovation across DeFi and other decentralized models.
Industry leaders explore how evolving legal landscapes, public awareness, and institutional attitudes influence Web3’s role in global economic systems. Stablecoins return to the spotlight, with discussions examining their path to legal tender and what compliant, efficient global payment infrastructure might look like.
Across the board, TOKEN2049 encourages a mindset shift, from confrontation to collaboration, where decentralization and user sovereignty can thrive within legally sustainable frameworks.
CoolWallet Special Offer｜Celebrating with the Global Web3 Community
To celebrate the launch of TOKEN2049 Dubai 2025, CoolWallet is offering a limited-time promotion for the global Web3 community.
From now until May 8, 23:59 (UTC+8), enter the promo code TOKEN2049 at checkout on the CoolWallet official website to enjoy a 21% discount on all products (excluding pre-order items).
Whether you are new to self-custody wallets or a seasoned crypto user looking to upgrade your security, now is the perfect time to get your CoolWallet Pro.
Manage your crypto assets with the highest level of security and convenience. Start your journey into the decentralized future today.
Navigating the Future of Web3 with Insights from TOKEN2049
TOKEN2049 Dubai 2025 doesn’t just revisit industry highlights—it sets the tone for what’s next. From asset tokenization and global stablecoin adoption to AI-native agents and cross-chain infrastructure, the event reveals how Web3 continues to scale, standardize, and evolve toward real-world utility.
Whether you’re a user, builder, or investor, this is the time to rethink your strategy and prepare for the next wave. CoolWallet will continue to innovate and deliver secure wallet technologies, empowering users worldwide to thrive in the decentralized future, side by side with the industry’s evolution.
How Much Was the Most Expensive Pizza in the World
The answer is 10,000 bitcoins (BTC).
This isn’t a crypto joke. It’s a true story that happened on May 22, 2010. On that day, a programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz used 10,000 BTC, which had very little value at the time, to buy two Papa John’s pizzas. This was the first recorded purchase of a physical item using cryptocurrency, and it opened the door to a whole new chapter in global digital finance.
The day later became known as Bitcoin Pizza Day.
It’s more than just a fun fact in crypto history. Every year on May 22, the global Web3 community celebrates it as a symbol of crypto’s real-world adoption.
Today, those 10,000 bitcoins are worth a staggering amount. Calling it “the most expensive pizza in the world” is no exaggeration. From that one slice, Bitcoin has gone through countless ups and downs, growing from a little-known experiment into a globally recognized decentralized asset.
What Happened on May 22, 2010
It all started with a simple forum post.
At the time, Bitcoin was only about a year old, and most people still had no idea what digital currency even was. In Florida, a programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz, one of Bitcoin’s early core developers, made a bold yet simple request in a post on the forum bitcointalk.org.
“I’ll pay 10,000 bitcoins for a couple of pizzas… like maybe 2 large ones so I have some left over for the next day. I like having leftover pizza to nibble on later. You can make the pizza yourself and bring it to my house or order it for me from a delivery place, but what I’m aiming for is getting food delivered in exchange for bitcoins where I don’t have to order or prepare it myself. Kind of like ordering a ‘breakfast platter’ at a hotel or something, they just bring you something to eat and you’re happy!
I like things like onions, peppers, sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, pepperoni, etc. Just standard stuff, no weird fish topping or anything like that. I also like regular cheese pizzas which may be cheaper to prepare or otherwise acquire.
If you’re interested, please let me know and we can work out a deal.
Thanks, Laszlo.”
At first, no one paid much attention to what seemed like a ridiculous offer. After all, 10,000 BTC was only worth about 40 US dollars at the time.
But a few days later, a user named Jeremy Sturdivant (aka jercos) agreed and had two pizzas delivered to Laszlo’s house.
That’s how the first real-world crypto transaction was born.
The original discussion thread is still available online today, serving as a time capsule for the entire crypto community.
How Crazy Was This Trade
In 2010, 10,000 bitcoins were worth about 41 US dollars, and the two pizzas Laszlo received cost around 25 dollars. Even at the time, Laszlo got the short end of the deal.
But that’s not the point. What made this transaction legendary is what happened afterward: Bitcoin’s price exploded over the next 14 years.
Despite this, Laszlo later told CNN in an interview that he had no regrets:
“I don’t regret it. I think that it’s great that I got to be part of the early history of Bitcoin in that way.”
When asked if he loses sleep over how much those BTC would be worth today, he calmly replied:
“I think thinking like that is… not really good for me.”
To the crypto world, Laszlo isn’t a fool. He’s a hero.
The Bitcoin Pizza Guy, who helped turn Bitcoin from an idea into something real.
Why Is Bitcoin Pizza Day So Important to Crypto
There have been many price spikes and protocol upgrades throughout blockchain history. But few moments are as symbolic as Bitcoin Pizza Day. Because this wasn’t just about pizza. It was the moment Bitcoin stepped out of the whitepaper and into the real world.
Before this, Bitcoin was still a concept, an experimental idea shared by forum users and tech enthusiasts. No one knew if it could actually work. But when Laszlo successfully exchanged 10,000 BTC for two pizzas, he proved that crypto had real-world utility. That simple act opened the door for everything that followed. Bitcoin Pizza Day showed that digital assets could serve as a medium of exchange, not just a speculative asset. It marked the first step in a new financial era, laying the groundwork for Web3, DeFi, NFTs, and more. More importantly, it captured the spirit of early crypto: bold, curious, and driven by belief, with a touch of humor.
That’s why, every May 22, the crypto world comes together. Across chains, coins, and countries, we pause the debates, eat some pizza, and pay tribute to the man who started it all.
Exclusive Drop｜CoolWallet Pro Bitcoin Pizza Day Editions
To celebrate the legendary 10,000 BTC pizza transaction, CoolWallet presents a limited-edition Bitcoin Pizza Day Pro Series: three designs, three stories, honoring the evolution of crypto:
Honoring the legendary moment when 10,000 BTC were exchanged for two pizzas. The gleaming gold finish represents the courage and vision of early believers, paying tribute to the pioneers who sparked the crypto revolution.
A bold and nostalgic red design that brings back the moment of Bitcoin’s first real-world use. Classic, unforgettable, and a reminder of the early purity and energy that fueled the crypto movement.
Symbolizing the decentralized spirit of Web3 and the power of community, this design represents the ongoing journey of building trust, collaboration, and boundless possibility in the crypto world.
Limited-Time Offer｜CoolWallet Pizza Day Promotion
Celebrate the tastiest day in crypto — Bitcoin Pizza Day!
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📅 Offer valid from May 20 to May 25, 2025
It’s not just about pizza.
It’s your chance to own one of the most iconic hardware wallets in crypto history.
Pizza Day Reflection: Would You Spend Your BTC on Pizza
If you had 10,000 BTC today, would you use it to buy two pizzas?
With Bitcoin now worth tens of thousands of dollars, that question sounds absurd, even funny. But this is exactly the kind of thought experiment that Bitcoin Pizza Day leaves with the crypto world. Laszlo didn’t HODL. He used Bitcoin. Not for profit, but to unlock a new kind of value exchange.
So we ask:
Is HODLing always the right move?
Is Bitcoin meant to be an investment, or a form of payment?
Do we still have the early spirit of crypto, the courage to actually use it?
Today, the Web3 ecosystem has grown stronger. We have better tools, more robust infrastructure, and widespread adoption potential. But if no one actually uses their crypto, how will the decentralized revolution ever reach the mainstream? Bitcoin Pizza Day isn’t just about remembering a legend.
Bitcoin Pizza Day reminds us: it’s not about how much your BTC is worth. It’s about what you’re willing to do with it.
The Financial Revolution That Started With Pizza Is Still Going
Those two pizzas in 2010 didn’t just feed a hungry developer. They sparked the world’s imagination of what decentralized money could be.
Bitcoin Pizza Day became a symbol. It challenged the definition of traditional finance and broke the boundaries of value exchange. It challenges traditional finance, redefining value exchange, and proving trust can be built peer-to-peer.
From DeFi to GameFi, NFTs to DAOs, the ripple effects continue to shape the Web3 era. From person to person. From chain to chain. This financial revolution continues to grow.
What we celebrate each year on May 22 is not just a single transaction. It’s the spirit of experimentation and belief that started it all.
And it all began with one slice of pizza.
CoolWallet is proud to be part of this history. Let’s move forward together into the next chapter of Web3.
You’d think people would be rushing to take 10,000 BTC for a couple of pizzas, right?
This was Laszlo posting 3 days later:
“So nobody wants to buy me pizza? Is the bitcoin amount I’m offering too low?”
Eventually, Laszlo Hanyecz sends 10,000 BTC to Jeremy Sturdivant, who agrees to the transaction. It’s worth about $41 at the time.
Two Papa John’s pizzas show up at his house. History is made with the first real-world bitcoin transaction.
Image credit: CBS
Now, every year, Bitcoiners and the world look back at the most expensive pizza ever bought. If you want to have some fun, you can browse through the original post thread and see people coming back to comment years later.
“Will this eventually become the world’s first million-dollar pizza?”
As of today, it’s now the world’s first billion-dollar pizza.
Today (May 22nd, 2025), those 10,000 bitcoins could buy you…
1,500 Lamborghinis
1/200th of a Jeff Bezos
Over 50,000,000 pizzas
It took almost 15 years to reach this point. Not long, right?
And as if it wasn’t impressive enough that Bitcoin has reached $1 trillion dollars in value so fast. This event is a good reminder of Bitcoin’s origin story and what makes it so special.
Laszlo buying those two pizzas for 10,000 BTC was the beginning of Bitcoin’s price discovery.
It’s a good reminder that no matter how much institutional and state-level interest Bitcoin draws today, the project started as (and remains) a ground-up movement. No matter how small you may think you are, your contributions to Bitcoin have an impact, just like Laszlo’s did. And no one has to give you permission, either. Trezor Academy is currently working with many local educators in the Global South who are transforming their local communities using Bitcoin.
That’s part of the reason Laszlo doesn’t regret spending those 10,000 bitcoin today…
It’s also why many people still spend their bitcoin today despite the rising price. Actively using Bitcoin will help with adoption and grow the community. At the Trezor office, we have vending machines for staff to buy things like beer using BTC. After all, isn’t using Bitcoin as a replacement for fiat currency sort of the point?!
Using Bitcoin helps grow the network, but securing your coins is just as important. After all, Bitcoin only works if people have true ownership. Self-custody gives you the power to protect your money without relying on anyone else.
Bitcoin Pizza Day isn’t just about price, it’s about how far we’ve come. And part of that journey is learning how to take control of your coins securely…
Trezor emerged from the chaos of online exchanges that just couldn’t keep up. We realized it was time to step up the security game against online attacks and malicious apps.
Our mission? To give you the tools to securely hold your bitcoin and crypto, without compromise. Everything we build is 100% open-source, and easy to use. This is part of our effort to help Bitcoin grow while staying true to its cypherpunk ethos and origin. We want you to be able to save and spend bitcoin securely.
For us, it all started with the Trezor Model One, the original hardware wallet and the world’s first. Simple, proven, and trusted since 2014. We don’t want to brag, but this literally started the hardware wallet industry.
We followed up with our first premium touchscreen device in 2018, the Trezor Model T.
Get free worldwide shipping on all Trezor products with code: PIZZADAY25 (on our best value delivery method)
*Please note that the 41% discount for the Trezor Model One & Trezor Model T has already been applied to the list price shown on our e-shop. But, the code PIZZADAY25 must be used for free global shipping on all products.*
Welcome to Trezor Pulse! This month, we’re sharing self-custody tips, second wallet strategies, Trezor Suite updates, and a five-star review we can’t stop smiling about.
Let’s dive into the latest updates and insights from Trezor.
Hi,
I’m Josef Tětek, Trezor Academy Lead at Trezor.
You’ve probably heard about Trezor Academy, our global, non-profit initiative that accelerates Bitcoin adoption through free, in-person education. But you might not know that Alex Gladstein’s book Check Your Financial Privilege inspired the whole thing! It showed that Bitcoin helping out with financial inclusion wasn’t just a theory and that it is actually already happening. It’s already fixing broken systems around the world.
That’s when I knew we had to support bottom-up, community-led education. At Trezor Academy, I work with local leaders who are trusted in their communities and can teach Bitcoin in the proper cultural context. You can’t just fly in as an outsider and preach. Local adoption needs local voices.
The reality? In many parts of Africa and South America, fiat money doesn’t work. As a store of value or as a medium of exchange, the infrastructure and credibility simply aren’t there. Cross-border payments are often impossible… unless you use Bitcoin.
This is where the real Bitcoin revolution is happening. Bitcoin’s future may well be decided in the Global South, as it offers a strong alternative to fiat money’s most pressing issues and is permissionless, unlike any other potential solution. Bitcoin thrives in hostile financial environments, which then drives adoption and innovation.
One example is Machankura, a project that lets users send and receive sats using a phone number. Communities across eight African countries (and counting!) already use the Lightning Network on basic mobile phones. Projects like this are reshaping entire economies. In many ways, the Bitcoin economy is more advanced in Africa than Europe or America, and the population is far younger.
If you’re not paying attention to Bitcoin’s revolution in the Global South, you probably should be.
Thanks to everyone supporting this project, from local organizers to Bitcoiners, for spreading the word.
SLIP-39 backups are supported by Trezor Model T, Trezor Safe 3, and Trezor Safe 5.
Can I upgrade my existing BIP-39 wallet to SLIP-39 directly?
No. SLIP-39 is a different backup standard. To switch, you’ll need to create a new SLIP-39 wallet and transfer your funds to it.
Can I upgrade a SLIP-39 backup later?
Yes. If you start with a 20-word Single-Share backup, you can upgrade to a Multi-Share setup anytime using Trezor Suite. Your original backup will still work unless you choose to retire it.
Can I use a passphrase with BIP-39 and SLIP-39?
Yes, but it introduces a new single point of failure. If you lose or forget the passphrase, your wallet can’t be recovered, even with the correct backup. Make sure you write it down and don’t lose it.
What if Trezor stops making hardware wallets?
BIP-39 and SLIP-39 are open standards supported by multiple wallets. Even if Trezor were unavailable, you could recover your wallet using other compatible devices or software.
Is SLIP-39 compatible with multisig?
Yes. SLIP-39 can be used to securely back up one of the keys in a multisig wallet. If the original device is lost or unavailable, the key can be restored using the SLIP-39 shares and imported to a new device.
How many shares can I create with SLIP-39?
Up to 16 shares. More shares can offer more flexibility, but they’re also harder to keep track of.
What happens if I lose a SLIP-39 share?
As long as you still have the required number of shares (the threshold), you can recover your wallet. With fewer than the threshold, recovery is not possible — and no usable information about the wallet or keys can be extracted. If you believe one or more shares may have been compromised, it’s safest to create a new wallet and move your funds.
Why use Multi-Share instead of just splitting a regular backup myself?
SLIP-39 uses cryptography to split your backup securely. Any number of shares fewer than the threshold reveal nothing on their own. Manually splitting a BIP-39 phrase (e.g. writing half in one place, half in another) doesn’t offer the same protection and increases the risk of accidental loss or compromise.
What is the difference between a 12-word and a 24-word BIP-39 backup? Is 24 words safer?
A 24-word backup has more entropy, but a 12-word backup is already unguessable in practice. Even with billions of supercomputers, it would take longer than the age of the universe to brute-force.
What matters most isn’t the number of words — it’s keeping your backup safe, private, and offline.
Why does SLIP-39 use 20 words?
SLIP-39 uses 20 words because each share includes extra information — like group and threshold data — and a stronger checksum to detect errors. The longer format helps ensure each share is unique, verifiable, and secure.
Should I upgrade to SLIP-39?
If your BIP-39 backup is secure and works well for you, there’s no urgent need to switch. However, if you’re looking for enhanced security, flexibility, or worry about a single point of failure, SLIP-39 might be a better option.
April 5th, 1933 to Bitcoin: The Revolution That Started with “No”
Hey there, Welcome to the April edition of All About Bitcoin!
Do you know what happened on April 5, 1933?
You probably already know if you’ve followed our celebrations earlier this month.
Every Bitcoiner should know. It’s the day the U.S. government attacked financial freedom with Executive Order 6102, banning private gold ownership.
April 5 is also Satoshi Nakamoto’s birthday.
To us, this date is a reminder: Own your money. Stay in control.
It’s also proof that we all have the power to say “No.”, just like Satoshi did.
Saying no to:
Giving up self-custody Accepting the status quo Trusting governments and banks to protect our assets This month, we celebrate Satoshi’s legacy and the cypherpunk spirit within all of us. You always have a choice!
Bitcoin emerged from the turmoil of collapsing currencies and broken banking systems.
Trezor was born from the chaos of failing exchanges because trusting third parties with your bitcoin was never the answer.
“We wanted to make a couple of hardware wallets for our friends. But soon we realized that we had found a big market gap. Now we are one of the most trusted wallets in the world.” — Marek “Slush” Palatinus, Co-Founder of Trezor
