Dogecoin ( , code: DOGE, symbol: Ð and D) is a cryptocurrency featuring a likeness of the Shiba Inu dog from the “Doge” Internet meme as its logo. It was introduced on December 8, 2013. Started as a “joke currency” in late 2013, Dogecoin quickly developed its own online community and reached a capitalization of USD 60 million in January 2014; as of January 2015, it had a capitalization of USD 13.5 million. Compared with other cryptocurrencies, Dogecoin has a fast initial coin production schedule: there will be approximately 100 billion coins in circulation by mid 2015 with an additional 5.256 billion coins every year thereafter. , over 98 billion Dogecoins have been mined. While there are few mainstream commercial applications, the currency has gained traction as an Internet tipping system, in which social media users grant Dogecoin tips to other users for providing interesting or noteworthy content. Many members of the Dogecoin community, as well as members of other cryptocurrency communities, use the phrase “To the moon!” to describe the overall sentiment of the coin’s rising value.
