In anticipation of Bitcoin Pizza Day, a fascinating discovery has emerged, suggesting an even earlier transaction that could potentially be the inaugural Non-Fungible Token (NFT). This intriguing narrative involves BTC, JPEGs, and the enigmatic figure of Satoshi Nakamoto himself. If recent accounts are to be trusted, it appears that the first verified Bitcoin purchase might not have been a pizza but rather an early incarnation of an NFT.

Udi Wertheimer, a crypto-archaeologist, recently took to Twitter to share an astonishing revelation that sent shockwaves through the Web3 community. In his tweet, he included a screenshot from the Bitcoin discussion platform, Bitcointalk, indicating that a user named Sabunir was offering to sell a JPEG in exchange for BTC as early as January 2010.

Within the forum, on January 24, 2010, Sabunir sought to sell a single 1080 x 960 image for 500 BTC. At that time, this amount equated to a mere $1, but its value has since skyrocketed to an astonishing $13.5 million. According to the post, once the agreed-upon fee was received, Sabunir would respond with a message containing a hyperlink to the aforementioned JPEG. Adding to the intrigue, reports suggest that Satoshi Nakamoto himself played a role in facilitating this unique trade.

Dubbed the first-ever NFT? The Transaction History Remains Ambiguous
On-chain data confirms that Sabunir did indeed receive a sum of 500 BTC approximately one month later, on February 24, in connection to one of his artworks. However, some argue that this payment was in response to a separate request for “donations” rather than a genuine sale. Without confirmation from Sabunir, the veracity of this transaction remains unverified.

As the Twitter community engages in spirited debates over semantics, certain facts remain undeniable. Sabunir was, in essence, at the forefront of a movement that would eventually pave the way for NFTs. As a Bitcoin enthusiast, he ventured into on-chain sales of digital files in exchange for cryptocurrencies.

This newfound revelation adds yet another layer of complexity to the blockchain’s intricate history. Web3 enthusiasts will undoubtedly continue to ponder this intriguing chapter as they savor their Bitcoin-purchased pizzas on May 22nd.