The first painting sold for Bitcoin was by Ali Spagnola

In 2013, Ali Spagnola, a popular YouTuber and artist known for her energetic personality and creative projects, unintentionally became the recipient of a substantial amount of Bitcoin. This unexpected windfall occurred when Spagnola accepted Bitcoin donations for her artwork and music through her website. At the time, she was experimenting with various forms of digital currency as a means of monetizing her creative endeavors.
 

As Bitcoin's value soared in the years following her initial acceptance of donations, Spagnola found herself in possession of a significant sum of Bitcoin, much more valuable than she had ever anticipated. This unexpected wealth presented Spagnola with a unique opportunity to make a positive impact and pay it forward to others.
 

In response to her newfound wealth, Spagnola decided to use a portion of her Bitcoin holdings to support charitable causes and initiatives that aligned with her values. She embarked on a mission to donate $50,000 worth of Bitcoin to various charitable organizations, including the Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and the Free Software Foundation (FSF), among others.