Dogecoin: The Meme-Inspired Cryptocurrency That Became a Global Phenomenon
Dogecoin (often called Doge) is a cryptocurrency—a digital form of money that works without banks and is powered by a decentralized network called a blockchain. It was created in 2013 as a joke based on the popular “Doge” internet meme featuring a Shiba Inu dog, but it quickly became a real and widely used digital currency. Dogecoin uses a proof-of-work system like Bitcoin but has faster transactions and very low fees, which makes it good for small payments and online tipping. Unlike Bitcoin, Dogecoin has no maximum supply, meaning new coins are created continuously each year. Despite its humorous origin, it has a large global community and is accepted by some merchants.