Every May 22, the crypto community remembers the day two pizzas cost 10,000 BTC.
But in 2025, the celebration had an extra twist: Bitcoin hit $111,000, surpassed Amazon in market value, and reignited the debate about the future of money.
While some marked the new milestone with pepperoni, others kept a close eye on Trump’s private dinner with the top investors of the memecoin $TRUMP — an event filled with controversy, protests, and $100,000 watches.
Riding the same wave, Ethereum, Solana, and Dogecoin climbed alongside BTC, pushing the market upward. But the excitement was short-lived: the threat of a 50% tariff against the European Union sent prices tumbling just hours later.
Still, analysts say Bitcoin’s rally is stronger than ever, backed by growing institutional support and more solid fundamentals.
From historic highs to high-stakes controversy, this week wasn’t just about pizza. It was about power moves, price moves, and what comes next.
Let’s break it down.
Bitcoin Pizza Day Gets a Special Flavor with New Record
Source: Coinvestasi
Bitcoin Pizza Day, celebrated every year on May 22, had a special flavor in 2025. The date commemorates the first commercial transaction made with Bitcoin.
At the time, programmer Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 BTC for two pizzas from Papa John’s — the equivalent of about $41 back then.
This simple gesture became symbolic and is remembered as a turning point for Bitcoin’s real-world use.
Today, those same 10,000 BTC would be worth approximately $1.1 billion.
The historic price surge highlights how far Bitcoin has come as a financial asset and as a symbol of the digital transformation of the global economy.
This year, the crypto community had another reason to celebrate: Bitcoin reached its all-time high, surpassing $111,000.
The milestone reinforces BTC’s growing role as a store of value and its widespread adoption by institutional investors and governments.
What’s Behind Bitcoin’s Surge?
According to Rony Szuster, Head of Research at Mercado Bitcoin, the recent price jump was driven by three main factors:
- More experienced investors: Today’s market is made up of more mature players who are better equipped to assess opportunities and risks.
- High global liquidity: Increased liquidity in financial markets encourages capital to flow into riskier assets like BTC.
- Growing institutional participation: Companies and investment funds continue to expand their exposure to crypto assets, strengthening confidence and demand for Bitcoin.
Altcoins Are Rising Too
Bitcoin’s rally also lifted other major cryptocurrencies:
- Ethereum (ETH) rose 5.8%, trading at $2,664
- Solana (SOL) gained 6.6%, reaching $179
- Dogecoin (DOGE) and Cardano (ADA) both climbed 7%
This movement reflects the positive sentiment that has taken hold of the market in the second half of May.
Bitcoin Surpasses Amazon in Market Value on Bitcoin Pizza Day
Source: companiesmarketcap
On May 22, 2025, the price of Bitcoin (BTC) hit $111,944, pushing its market capitalization to $2.205 trillion—surpassing retail giant Amazon, which stood at $2.135 trillion.
This milestone places BTC at the center of the global financial conversation and strengthens its role as a strategic asset for institutional investors.
Institutional Investors Fuel Confidence
With increasing institutional adoption, Bitcoin is gaining momentum as a financial asset.
In May, BlackRock became the second-largest holder of Bitcoin, trailing only the coin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, and surpassing Binance.
According to Hassan Khan, CEO of the Ordeez platform, Bitcoin is evolving from a hedge against risk to a key player as a global reference currency.
The milestone reached on Bitcoin Pizza Day 2025 highlights how radically the narrative around BTC has shifted.
From being a symbol of an “expensive pizza purchase” to becoming a dominant force in financial markets, Bitcoin continues to solidify its importance as a high-value digital asset— driven by growing institutional interest and a direct impact on global market capitalization rankings.
Trump’s Crypto Millionaire Dinner Sparks Controversy and Ethics Warnings in the U.S.
Source: The Crypto Times
On the evening of May 22, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted a private dinner at the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, bringing together the 220 top investors in the memecoin $TRUMP — a cryptocurrency launched earlier this year and heavily associated with his political image.
The purpose of the event was to reward the largest holders of $TRUMP with an exclusive experience alongside the president.
According to crypto intelligence firm Inca Digital, these investors collectively committed around $148 million to secure their invitations.
Among the attendees was notable crypto figure Justin Sun, Chinese billionaire and co-founder of the Tron blockchain.
The top 25 investors were given VIP access to a private reception with Trump and received a Trump Tourbillon watch, valued at $100,000.
Promoted through the project’s official channels as “the most exclusive invite in the world,” the event triggered a wave of backlash among U.S. lawmakers and ethics experts.
Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Sean Casten have called for a formal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Donald Trump’s dinner is an orgy of corruption,” said Warren (D-MA) in a press conference, as reported by Decrypt.
“The American people have no idea who’s buying access to the president or what they’re getting in return.”
The White House responded, claiming the dinner was a “private activity” and that Trump’s assets are held in a blind trust.
During the press briefing, Democrats demanded Trump disclose the identities of the memecoin investors who attended the dinner.
“Let the American people know who bought access to the president,” stated Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT).
“If this is all as transparent as they claim, then why the secrecy?”
Just hours before the event, around 100 protesters gathered outside Trump’s golf club in Virginia.
They carried signs reading “Stop Crypto Corruption,” “America Is Not for Sale,” and “Scam Gala,” along with a large gold coin featuring Trump’s face, according to The Independent.
Impact on the Cryptocurrency Market
Anticipation surrounding the dinner temporarily boosted the price of $TRUMP, which peaked at $75 per token, but quickly dropped to around $14, reflecting the asset’s volatility.
According to Reuters estimates, more than 600,000 retail investors have already accumulated over $3.8 billion in losses since the coin’s launch.
Despite the drop, $TRUMP still maintains an engaged community, driven by Trump’s strong presence on social media and promotional events.
Even amid political turbulence, Bitcoin’s price remains relatively stable, supported by high trading volumes and strong capital inflows into ETFs.
However, events like Trump’s crypto dinner and ongoing institutional tensions continue to inject uncertainty into the market.
Trump Announces 50% Tariff on European Union Imports Starting in June
Source: OPIndia
In a new escalation of international trade tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on May 23, 2025, his intent to impose a 50% tariff on all goods imported from the European Union.
The measure is set to take effect on June 1, unless the EU meets Washington’s trade demands.
Trump made the announcement via Truth Social, where he voiced frustration over stalled negotiations with the European Union.
According to the president, the bloc is seeking unfair advantages in trade with the U.S., hindering agreements and blocking American products.
In addition, Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on iPhones manufactured outside the U.S., directly pressuring companies like Apple to shift production back to American soil.
Bitcoin Pulls Back After Hitting New Record
Before the announcement, Bitcoin surged past $111,000, setting a new all-time high. However, following the market’s negative reaction to Trump’s tariff threat, BTC pulled back to around $109,688, marking a 1.4% drop on the day.
According to analysts, the dip reflects investor concerns over renewed global trade tensions, which could dampen appetite for risk assets like cryptocurrencies.
Ethereum and Altcoins Also in Decline
The correction wasn’t limited to Bitcoin.
Ethereum (ETH) fell 4%, trading slightly above $2,500, while XRP dropped 3.7% to $2.34. Other altcoins followed the downward trend, mirroring broader macroeconomic uncertainty.
Analysts Point to Strong Fundamentals Behind the Rally
Despite the pullback, experts at QCP Capital argue that the current Bitcoin uptrend is structurally stronger than in previous cycles. Key supporting factors include:
- Lower market leverage
- Consistent institutional investment inflows
- More resilient price action despite external shocks
In short, while the market reacted negatively to Trump’s announcement, the underlying support structure for Bitcoin’s price remains solid.
U.S. Senate Approves Regulatory Framework for Stablecoins
Source: Livecoins
The United States Senate has taken a decisive step toward regulating the stablecoin market by preliminarily approving the Genius Act, a bill that establishes a federal legal framework for the issuance and operation of this type of crypto asset.
After a failed attempt in early May, the bill cleared the 60-vote threshold on the night of Monday, May 19, and now proceeds to final debate before the definitive vote.
At a time when the global stablecoin market exceeds $250 billion, the bill’s progress is seen as a turning point for the crypto industry.
What Does the Genius Act Propose?
The bill outlines clear guidelines for the issuance and operation of stablecoins in the U.S. Key provisions include:
- Mandatory federal authorization for stablecoin issuers;
- Compliance and transparency requirements to ensure one-to-one backing with stable assets like the U.S. dollar;
- Ban on tech giants such as Google and Meta from launching their own stablecoins;
- Centralized regulatory oversight by federal agencies to protect consumers and ensure systemic stability.
The framework aims to mitigate risks related to market manipulation, money laundering, and the misuse of digital currencies in illicit activities.
Trump’s Influence and Political Controversies
The bill’s approval drew further attention after Donald Trump launched his own stablecoin, USD1, via World Liberty Financial.
This move sparked concerns among Democratic senators over potential conflicts of interest and political exploitation of crypto legislation.
Adding to the controversy, the United Arab Emirates’ sovereign wealth fund announced a $2 billion investment in USD1, part of which was used to acquire a stake in the Binance exchange.
These developments reignited debates over governance and the concentration of power in the crypto ecosystem.
Hyperliquid and Worldcoin Surge as Crypto Market Dips
Source: Traders Union
Despite a slight correction in the crypto market this Friday (May 23), with Bitcoin (BTC) down 2.1%, two tokens stood out for their impressive gains: Hyperliquid (HYPE) and Worldcoin (WLD).
Both surged over 15%, driven by unique catalysts that made them exceptions on a mostly red day for the sector.
Hyperliquid (HYPE): Record Volume and High Demand for Derivatives
HYPE rose 15.4%, trading at $34.75, fueled by explosive growth on the Hyperliquid platform — a decentralized perpetuals exchange built on its own blockchain.
- Open interest hit a record $9.2 billion, surpassing the previous peak of $8 billion set on May 21.
- The surge was driven by Bitcoin’s new all-time high of $111,800, which boosted demand for derivatives.
- BTC contracts alone accounted for $4.2 billion, over 40% of the platform’s total trading volume.
- ETH and HYPE also saw strong trading activity.
- Hyperliquid’s team disclosed they are in talks with the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) regarding new regulatory guidelines for 24/7 crypto derivatives trading.
Worldcoin (WLD): Institutional Investment Strengthens the Project
WLD jumped 14.3%, reaching $1.46, driven by significant institutional activity.
- World Assets, Ltd., a subsidiary of the World Foundation, announced the sale of $135 million worth of WLD tokens to institutional investors.
- Major participants included Andreessen Horowitz and Bain Capital Crypto, boosting confidence in the project.
- The announcement sparked renewed interest and demand for the token.
What’s Fueling the Rise of HYPE and WLD?
While the broader crypto market experiences a mild correction, HYPE and WLD show how internal developments and specific events can drive strong performance even during downturns.
- HYPE is gaining momentum from the strength of the derivatives market and the technical progress of the Hyperliquid platform.
- WLD is drawing attention thanks to solid institutional backing, reinforcing its market appeal.
Solana Launches Seeker: A New Crypto Smartphone
Solana Mobile — the mobile innovation division of Solana Labs — has officially announced the launch of Seeker, its new smartphone designed for decentralized applications (dApps).
The device will be available globally starting August 4, 2025, with a promotional price of $500 for early buyers.
The launch will also mark the debut of the SKR token, a new native asset of Solana’s mobile ecosystem.
What is the Solana Seeker?
The Solana Seeker is the successor to the Saga phone and was built to deliver a seamless experience for crypto users and Web3 applications.
Designed with security, decentralization, and ease of use in mind, the Seeker aims to bridge the gap between smartphones and blockchain technology.
Key Features of the Seeker
- Seed Vault Wallet: A built-in secure system for storing private keys
- Seeker ID: A decentralized digital identity for secure login across dApps
- New Solana dApp Store: A dedicated store optimized for Web3 applications
- Genesis Token Included: Each Seeker unit comes with a Genesis token, offering early access to exclusive features and experiences
Introducing the SKR Token
The SKR (Seeker) token will serve as the utility and reward currency within the Solana Mobile ecosystem. Its roles include:
- Facilitating transactions between users and developers
- Rewarding engagement and active use of dApps
- Aligning incentives between users, manufacturers, and developers
- Integrating with TEEPIN — Solana’s decentralized Trusted Execution Environment Platform Infrastructure Network
With over 150,000 units sold of the previous model (Saga), Solana is now pursuing a broader and more open strategy: the Seeker is just the beginning.
More devices are expected to follow, adopting the Web3-first standard championed by Solana Mobile.
