Do you know how long ago Bitcoin was born? About 22 years. Literally 22 years ago, the crypto ecosystem went BOOM, and suddenly more than 8,000 different cryptocurrencies started appearing. Sure, among 8,000 projects they all seem the same, BUT there was one that decided to laugh in everyone’s face.
Everyone expected good, useful projects with a mega revolutionary proposal — a Bitcoin 2.0. And then a coin appeared with the face of a Japanese dog and laughed at the entire system. What do you think?
Today we’re going to talk about a project that’s funnier than usual, and more impactful, because nothing so useless had ever gone so far — to the point of becoming indispensable. Let me introduce you to Dogecoin, the meme coin that in the end… isn’t such a meme anymore.
Not a Joke, but a Movement. This Is How Dogecoin Was Born.
Erase everything you know about Dogecoin right now if it’s directly related to a joke or meme, because today it’s worth more than many cryptos with “revolutionary” proposals.
In December 2013, Bitcoin was fluctuating between $600 and $1,000. Meanwhile, two programmers got bored and thought the crypto ecosystem was taking itself too seriously. Billy Markus, an IBM engineer, and Jackson Palmer believed cryptocurrencies should go beyond the technical and be more attractive and accessible.
The problem is, these two geniuses didn’t just “think” — they acted. By December 6, 2013, they had already launched their provocative response: a cryptocurrency with the face of the internet’s most popular meme — a confused-looking Shiba Inu. Their message was clear. If digital money was going to be created, at least make it fun, accessible, and friendly.
As expected, people found it funny — but what no one saw coming was that the joke would turn into a revolution. Fifteen days after its launch, the value of Dogecoin had multiplied by 300. Internet forums were suddenly full of a surprisingly active community.
More than a joke, a statement. Why Dogecoin works differently.
Go ahead and laugh, but behind the meme there’s real technology doing things Bitcoin can’t. Dogecoin, although it started as a joke, was actually pretty well made. It was built on Litecoin’s open-source code and uses a blockchain that validates blocks via Proof-of-Work (PoW). Not bad for a meme, right?
But there’s something even more interesting. Bitcoin needs 10 minutes to validate a transaction (general knowledge), but Dogecoin does it in just one minute. And while Bitcoin mining consumes the electricity of a small country, Dogecoin allows any home computer to participate in the network. Nowadays, it’s recommended to use specialized equipment like ASIC Scrypt miners, but it’s still possible to mine with less.
The algorithms used by Dogecoin don’t require super powerful ASICs like Bitcoin does. You really don’t need to invest thousands of euros in specialized hardware to be part of the network. Your PC could be enough. Can you say the same about Bitcoin? The goal isn’t to mock the world’s first cryptocurrency — in fact, we’re fans — but to understand how a meme can outperform it in some aspects. Unbelievable, but true.
Although these aspects set them apart, there’s a key distinguishing feature. Bitcoin has a cap of 21 million coins (a deflationary model). Dogecoin, however, has an unlimited supply (an inflationary model). Why? Because its creators understood that a currency useful for everyday life shouldn’t be artificially scarce. Programmer logic.
Bitcoin was created as “digital gold” to store value. Dogecoin, instead, was designed as money to use. With over 150 billion DOGE in circulation (at the time of writing), it’s perfect for micropayments, donations, and daily transactions without the heavy fees other networks often charge.
The pack that doesn’t stay quiet. The community that changed everything.
All cryptocurrencies have their community, like fan clubs. Dogecoin has a pack that barks in unison, and that was the key to its success. In cryptos like this, which start as memes, the power lies almost entirely in community support — and Dogecoin earned that support better than anyone.
The Dogecoin community goes way beyond a few posts on forums. They’ve funded impressive real projects:
- Sent the Jamaican bobsled team to the 2014 Winter Olympics
- Built water wells in Kenya
- Launched campaigns to sponsor NASCAR drivers
- Supported countless charity causes, including cancer research and child welfare.
These actions share a clear goal: a declaration of principles. Earlier in this article, I told you there are over 8,000 cryptocurrencies, but very few aim for a real social impact, beyond arguing over who’s “Number One,” a spot still held by the shiny blond one.
Elon Musk’s role in the DOGE Community
The Elon Musk phenomenon wasn’t a coincidence. Musk started showing interest in Dogecoin in 2018. He made it loud and clear when he publicly mentioned the coin and contacted its creator, Jackson Palmer, to help with bot issues on Twitter (now X).
But that was just the beginning. His support became more visible in 2019, with tweets including phrases like “Dogecoin might be my favorite cryptocurrency” and even joking about becoming “CEO of Dogecoin.” A joke that, just like the coin itself, became something more serious.
Dogecoin might be my fav cryptocurrency. It’s pretty cool.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 2, 2019
His public support for Dogecoin resonated because he understood something others didn’t: Dogecoin represents the democratization of digital finance. He saw it as fun, accessible, and “the people’s cryptocurrency”, in contrast with more complex, elitist cryptos.
But he’s not the only one who sees DOGE that way. Reddit, X, TikTok — across all platforms, the DOGE community keeps one of the liveliest conversations in the crypto space. Nobody talks about complex technical analysis. They discuss real use cases, projects they support, and how to use technology to help others.
What else can you do with a dog? Beyond investment.
Even though it started as a meme, Dogecoin isn’t meant to sit idle in a wallet. Its true potential lies in daily utility. Its fees are minimal (fractions of a cent) and confirmations ultra-fast.
That’s why we can say Dogecoin works where many others fail:
💰 In everyday life:
- Tips to creators on Reddit, Twitter, and Twitch
- Direct donations without middlemen taking fees
- Micropayments in online stores that accept crypto
- Cheap and fast international transfers
🎮 In entertainment:
- Gaming: Platforms where you can earn DOGE by playing, like DogeOS
- Social networks: Apps that reward quality content
- Streaming: Live tipping systems for streamers
The proof of its success and utility lies in the numbers — and numbers don’t lie. Dogecoin processes over 40,000 daily transactions. This shows Dogecoin is used, not just stored.
Ready to take the leash? Manage your Dogecoin with Bitnovo.
Now that you know the story, the rest is up to you. You decide whether to act or stay on the sidelines. And a heads up — this isn’t financial advice, just real and honest information, like everything we do at Bitnovo.
We don’t promise to make you rich like most exchanges; that’s not our job. We’re the platform that gives you real control over your digital money — that we can promise. No intermediaries deciding for you, no hidden fees eating your profits, no restrictions limiting your financial freedom. What more do you need?
If you finally decide to join the DOGE community, with Bitnovo you can:
- Buy Dogecoin directly and securely
- Store your DOGE in a wallet that only you control
- Make transactions without relying on traditional banks
- Be part of a community that understands you’re the owner of your money
Be part of the movement. Open your account today and take control of your assets. Dogecoin proved that a joke can change the financial world. Now it’s your turn to prove you don’t need permission to be financially free.
