狗狗幣Dogecoin「一個玩笑」如何玩到市值突破天際？

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與Bitcoin一樣，「狗狗幣」（Dogecoin）也是加密貨幣的一種，但在近日成為了熱門焦點，皆因其市值暴升。自年初至今，狗狗幣由1美分不到的價格急增至0.7美元的高位，整體市值接近900億美元，比通用汽車公司市值還要高。

到底這隻「小狗」有什麼強大魅力？升值比搭火箭還快？

狗狗幣的起源

狗狗幣創始於2013年，由兩名軟件工程師Billy Markus與Jackson Palmer創設。一開始這不過是一個用作諷刺Bitcoin比特幣的笑話，其標誌是一幅攝自柴犬的頭像，名稱以Doge取代Dog，添一點可愛的感覺。

儘管在2014年狗狗幣曾嘗試過用作籌款及集資，用作慈善及宣傳活動，但狗狗幣一直沒有實際用途，不被視為付款手段，交易金額亦相當細小。價格至2021年，也不過維持在1美分以下。

馬斯克的不停吹棒

直至2021年，狗狗幣才開始再次受到注目，其中一個是在2021年初的GameStop事件。在GameStop股票被持續軋空，股價被瘋狂推高後，價值幾乎等同於零的狗狗幣成為網絡討論區的焦點。與GameStop一樣，當時有大量的網民聲言要把狗狗幣「衝上太空」、「帶到月球」。

這「帶到月球」的承諾，讓狗狗幣在1月價格急升5倍。但真正讓狗狗幣突破天際，是來自Tesla的CEO馬斯克（Elon Musk）的追棒。

馬斯克自1月多次在其個人Twitter上張貼有關狗狗幣的留言，包括雜誌的改圖、動畫電影《獅子王》的改圖、狗狗幣登月的改圖等等。持續的吹棒讓人開始意識到這不僅只是個玩笑。

直到4月，馬斯克重申對狗狗幣的濃厚興趣，並示意會在5月8日出席全國廣播公司（NBC）的深夜喜劇秀《周六夜現場》（Saturday Night Live）為狗狗幣助威。這舉動令狗狗幣瞬速爆升，幣值自4月中不停飆升至今。

升跌無時價值隨時蒸發

不過，狗狗幣與其他加密貨幣一樣，價格波動極大且無法預測。以Bitcoin為例，Bitcoin價格在自2020年尾持續暴漲，價值由年尾的2萬美元急升至今的接近6萬美元。但價錢已自3月開始在高位持續上落，面對電腦的「挖礦潮」出現疲累，誰也無法預料何時下挫，而且當發生時，往往是暴瀉。

加密貨幣交易公司Blockchain的研究負責人希勒曼（Garrick Hileman）警告，狗狗幣的價值隨時蒸發：「特別當這貨幣本來就是個玩笑。」警告投資者要對所有加密貨幣提高警覺。

Dogecoin outperforms Bitcoin, Ether after Coinbase debut

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Dogecoin advanced 24 percent over the same period as of 7.50 am in London, according to CoinGecko pricing, said Bloomberg. Bitcoin and Ether, the better-known cryptocurrencies, were up 6.2 percent and 14.9 percent respectively over the past seven days.

Dogecoin is up more than 14,000 percent in the past year, in a run-up that’s surprised even the crypto community and gives it the sixth-biggest market value.

The Coinbase exchange is offering investors to opt-in and purchase $100 worth of dogecoin by June 10, 2021, for a chance to win $1.2 million in prizes.

Also read: Lessons from Bitcoin price fall and future of the cryptocurrency

“We launched informational asset pages (see DOGE), as well as a new section of the Coinbase website to answer common questions about crypto,” Coinbase said in a blog post.

DOGE is more accessible now with Coinbase supporting the meme-based token on Coinbase.com and in the Coinbase Android and iOS apps.

As a matter of fact, meme currency dogecoin (DOGE), the Shiba Inu-themed cryptocurrency, started as a joke in 2013 before becoming a phenomenon in the digital cryptocurrency space.

In 2013, Jackson Palmer, then an employee at Adobe, made a satirical tweet (unfortunately lost to the void) about investing in ‘Dogecoin’, his joke cryptocurrency, he did not actually think people would do it. Jackson Palmer had tied up with Billy Markus, an IBM developer, to create the cryptocurrency.

Also read: How Cryptos Work, Explained In Layman’s Terms

By 2014, it became the fifth-largest cryptocurrency in the world and it even spawned convention for its fans in San Francisco creatively titled “Dogecoin.”

DOGE has also been a favourite of Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk whose tweets have contributed to the price volatility of the meme cryptocurrency.

Dogecoin is creating a buzz on social media platforms. “If anyone has a problem with Elon they’ll have to go through the #DogeArmy first,” one Twitter user quipped taking a jibe at Elon Musk and his back-n-forth on Twitter with respect to sales of Tesla cars using Bitcoins. The @dogecoin Twitter home page describes “Dogecoin as an open source peer-to-peer cryptocurrency, favored by shibas worldwide. Elon Musk thinks we’re pretty cool."

Also read: $STOPELON: All you need to know about this new meme cryptocurrency

Coinbase Dogecoin giveaway: How to opt in to sweepstakes and how to buy the cryptocurrency

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Dogecoin went live on Coinbase Pro on Thursday, and to celebrate the listing, the popular cryptocurrency platform announced it is hosting a giveaway.

Coinbase is giving away $1.2 million worth of Dogecoin. To be eligible, you have to “opt in” and buy or sell $100 worth of the meme-inspired cryptocurrency by June 10. You can trade $100 all at once, or a little at a time. To enter, click here.

One winner will be awarded $300,000; 10 winners will be awarded $30,000 and 6,000 winners will be awarded $100 — all in Dogecoin. Winners will be notified around June 17.

The sweepstakes is available to all U.S. residents, except Hawaii and U.S. territories.

It’s no surprise Coinbase Pro has decided to add the fan-favorite cryptocurrency to its trading lineup. At one point last month, one Dogecoin was worth $0.63 ahead of Elon Musk’s SNL appearance. Musk has branded himself on Twitter as “The Dogefather.”

One Dogecoin is currently worth $0.38, a 21.95% spike within the past week, according to real-time data tracked by CoinMarketCap (Market capitalization is constantly changing).

How to buy Dogecoin on Coinbase Pro

If you don’t already have an account, you simply just need to sign up. Do note, though, Coinbase Pro has an interface designed for more advanced traders, while Coinbase is easier to use for beginners. If you already own Dogecoin, you can also transfer it into you Coinbase Pro account.

Coinbase’s regular platform — among the most popular places to trade cryptocurrency — does not support Dogecoin, but you can add it to you cryptocurrency wishlist if you prefer a more beginner platform. If you sign up for a regular Coinbase account, you will also receive $5 worth of Bitcoin for free upon verification of ID.

Dogecoin was created in 2013 by Adobe employee Jackson Palmer and software engineer Billy Markus, according to a report by CoinDesk. It’s a play on the popular internet meme of a Japanese Shiba Inu branded as “doge.” Its non-serious vibe caused it to become a hit and attract a huge following.

What is cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is a digital asset designed to be used over the internet, according to Coinbase. It’s decentralized, meaning it isn’t controlled by the government or any other central authority such as a bank.

If you want to educate yourself more on cryptocurrency and how it works, you can always enroll in an online course, too. Courses are offered at online platforms Coursera, LinkedIn Learning and Udemy.

If you’re interested in investing in other cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether and Litecoin, here are some options to get you started:

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Nicolette Accardi can be reached at naccardi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter: @N_Accardi. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

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