10 Most Expensive Bitcoin Buys Ever

Good things rarely seem to happen behind the purse strings of crypto when they’re opened in film. It tends to accompany an illegal request, giving Bitcoin and its ilk a pretty terrible reputation. That was before a new study revealed that a condo in Trump SoHo is the most expensive thing ever purchased with Bitcoin to the tune of $2,076,885,240 in 2024. Other high-ranking items include a Lake Tahoe property and a Toyota Prius.

The study calculated the value of Bitcoin at the time of purchase in contrast to its value in 2024 to determine the ranking.

David Kemmerer, the Co-Founder and CEO of CoinLedger, commented, “This study highlights the importance of making sensible investment choices in cryptocurrency. While Bitcoin offers unique investment opportunities, it’s crucial to approach these investment choices with a sensible mindset.”

Experts at the Cryptocurrency tax software, CoinLedger conducted research to identify all notable purchases made using Bitcoin, coming up with a deliciously mouthwatering use of Bitcoin. By examining Bitcoin value then versus now, CoinLedger then itemised a list that determined the final ranking.

I Bought It Because I Can 

The study found a Trump SoHo condo as the most expensive item bought using Bitcoin. In July 2013, the owner of a one-bedroom home in the Trump SoHo condo hotel listed the property for sale on the condition that it should be purchased exclusively using Bitcoin. Now known as The Dominick, the 46-story hotel offers luxury apartments and is known for its sought-after location. The property was sold for 25,500 Bitcoin (BTC), valued at around $2 million then. In 2024, those Bitcoins are now worth a staggering $2,076,885,240 at the time of writing, making it the most expensive recorded Bitcoin purchase.

The infamous Bitcoin pizza purchase turns up in second place. In May 2010, programmer Laszlo Hanyecz spent 10,000 Bitcoin on two Papa John’s pizzas – which has since been recognised as the first recorded Bitcoin purchase.

However, while Bitcoin was only worth around $40 at the time, it would now be worth $814,464,800, making these two pizzas the second-highest Bitcoin purchase in history. Hanyecz has since stated that he has no regrets about the pizza purchase and is simply happy to have a place in Bitcoin’s history.

A property in Lake Tahoe comes in third. In August 2014, the sought-after plot of land on the California-Nevada border sold for around 2,739 BTC, back then the equivalent of $1.6 million in Bitcoins. However, this would now be worth $223,081,909 in 2024. The buyer of the 1.4-acre plot of land later expressed regret over the purchase.

A Toyota Prius is named the fourth most expensive Bitcoin purchase and is regarded as the most expensive car ever bought using cryptocurrency. In February 2013, investor Michael Tozoni bought the second-hand car with 1,000 Bitcoins, which was valued at around $22 at the time of purchase. However, this is now worth a staggering $81,446,480 at the time of writing. Tozoni has since expressed regret over the hasty purchase and states that this purchase should be seen as a lesson in making sensible investments.

Kemmerer weighs in on these regretful purchases stating that “Ultimately, this research demonstrates how far Bitcoin has come in relation to purchasing real-world goods, particularly in real estate. Using Bitcoin for property purchases has become increasingly common, providing both sellers and buyers with more financial freedom than standard transactions,” said Kemmerer. “This study reiterates that crypto purchases carry their fair share of risks. Avoid making decisions based on short-term price fluctuations; Instead, consider the long-term potential of a purchase, seeing it as an investment decision rather than for instant gratification,” he underscored.

Logic? What Logic? 

Despite that, two tickets for SpaceShipTwo have been named the fifth most expensive Bitcoin purchase. In March 2014, the Winklevoss twins paid around 900 BTC to reserve seats on Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo rocket plane, which was then the equivalent of around $510,273. However, at the time of writing, the Winklevoss’ Bitcoin would now be worth $73,301,832 and the twins are yet to make a trip to space. Tyler Winklevoss has since stated that he would never make that mistake again and has compared the moment to Hanyecz’s Bitcoin pizza purchase.

A brand-new luxury villa in Bali went for 800 Bitcoins in March 2014, the equivalent of around $500,000. At the time of writing, 800 BTC is now worth $65,157,184, making it one of the most expensive purchases in Bitcoin’s history. A penthouse buy in June 2021 – a four-bedroom penthouse located in Miami’s Surfside neighbourhood – was sold for around 613 BTC, which was then worth $22.5 million in cryptocurrency. At the time of writing, this purchase is now worth $49,953,640. In December 2022, the property was sold again for $18 million.

Excuse Me Mr. Can You Spare A Shilling? 

In February 2018, Michael Komaransky sold a luxury seven-bedroom property in Miami for around 455 BTC, the equivalent of $6 million. When Komaransky put the house up for sale, he stated that he would be happy to accept the money in either traditional currency or Bitcoin as a way of showing that real-world goods can be purchased using cryptocurrency. At the time of writing, 455 BTC would now be worth $37,058,148, making it one of the costliest purchases in the ranking.

A lakefront mansion in Austin, Texas is the 9th most expensive Bitcoin purchase. Media executive Scooter Braun sold the mansion in March 2022 for around 417 BTC, the equivalent of $18.5 million. This would be the equivalent of $33,970,739 in 2024. A motor yacht brings in the top 10 rear. In February 2022, the 40-meter Benetti motor yacht Oryx was sold for around 290 BTC, adding up to an equivalent of over $11.2 million. In 2024, 290 BTC would now be worth around $23,623,561, making it one of the most expensive purchases in Bitcoin’s history.

Other notable high-ranking purchases include a Lamborghini Gallardo and a Tesla Model S.

Bitcoin purchases do come with a caveat, proving why they are often conflated with privilege and wealth. “Due to fluctuations in Bitcoin’s value, it’s essential to stay informed about the market. Before making any significant investments, you should ensure that you fully understand the risks associated with cryptocurrency purchases and only invest what you can afford to lose,” concluded Kemmerer.