9.46 Billion
503 Million
$0.00
As the speculative cryptocurrency market emerged, many in the tech and investor world took notice of the new asset class. While Bitcoin was created as a store of value and Ethereum as a platform for decentralized applications, Dogecoin was intended as a fun and friendly way to get involved with cryptocurrency.
To point fun at the highly technical world of cryptocurrency, the Dogecoin team chose the Shiba Inu dog from the popular "Doge" meme as the mascot. The founders wanted to create a more approachable and less serious cryptocurrency than Bitcoin.
Dogecoin was created by Jackson Palmer and Billy Markus in 2013. While cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum had been around for a few years by that point, Dogecoin was one of the first altcoins (alternative coins) to be created. As many coins have their value determined by a finite supply, Dogecoin has an infinite supply.
Built on the existing Litecoin codebase, Dogecoin uses the same proof-of-work consensus algorithm. Miners can mine Dogecoin and then trade it for other cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
While the value of a single Dogecoin is very low (due to its lack of scarcity), the currency has developed a large and loyal community online. In fact, Dogecoin has become popular as a tipping currency on social media platforms such as Twitter and Reddit. Celebrities such as Elon Musk have impacted the value of Dogecoin by tweeting about it - giving a greater appeal to those new to the cryptocurrency space.
As with any new technology or asset class, it is essential to exercise caution when investing in Dogecoin. The currency's value has been highly volatile, and investors should be prepared for significant losses.
A selection of cryptocurrencies in the top 50 by market cap.