Dogecoin（狗狗幣）持續上漲，散戶宣稱獲利近 200 萬美元

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在名人加持下，加密貨幣浪潮持續飆升，其中甚至連嘲諷意味濃厚的 Dogecoin（狗狗幣）都使投資者獲利，周五創下 0.43 美元歷史新高，當前總市值上達 400 億美元。

Dogecoin 最早誕生於 2013 年，由工程師 Billy Markus 和 Jackson Palmer，儘管起初僅為「迷因」性質，但直到今年開始卻倍受名人效應吹捧，其中影響最大者莫過於 Tesla 執行長 Elon Musk 的推波助瀾。他曾數次公開推崇此加密貨幣，更在上周 15 日於 Twitter 以「Doge Barking at the Moon」形容 Dogecoin 近期的水漲船高。另一邊廂，散戶集中地的 Reddit 也有不少用戶跳出來宣稱自己因 Dogecoin 獲利百萬，其中一名投資者在接受《Newsweek》採訪時宣稱，他在今年二月將全數積蓄約 19 萬美元投資到 Dogecoin 上，而截至上周五，他的投資增長已超過 200 萬美元。

其他方面，不少人認為 Dogecoin 的大幅增長也與加密貨幣交易所 Coinbase 正式掛牌有關；該公司於上週三 NASDAQ 股票市場首次亮相，開盤價為 $381 美元，估值近 1000 億美元，各界認為此為加密貨幣市場發展的重要里程碑。

然而並非所有人都全然看好 Dogecoin 發展，投資分析師 David Kimberley 認為這是典型「Greater Fool Theory」案例，隨後極有可能引發泡沫；而 Dogecoin 聯合創始人 Billy Markus 亦在 Twitter 提醒眾人，儘管最近有所獲利，但仍應謹慎態度看待投資，「Stay safe, be smart」。

For real though guys keep some rationality when gambling on highly volatile assets like cryptocurrency.

Euphoria is a helluva drug, but y’know, at least keep paying your bills and feeding your family and have a safe rainy day fund.

Stay safe, be smart! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/v272uMe4lL

— Shibetoshi Nakamoto (@BillyM2k) April 15, 2021

一浪接一浪！SafeMoon 超越 Dogecoin 成為最受關注人氣加密貨幣

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Dogecoin’s Major Price Increase: Is It a Worthwhile Investment?

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If you’re bored with index funds and you’re ready to roll the dice on one of those sexy and mysterious new alternative investments, you have plenty of options. One of those options involves a Japanese dog, Elon Musk and what appears to be fake money from a toy cash register.

Read: How Does Cryptocurrency Work – and Is It Safe?

That’s Dogecoin (DOGE), and it’s here to rescue anyone who couldn’t bear to wait one second longer for the latest next-big-thing cryptocurrency that promises to out-Bitcoin Bitcoin.

What Is Dogecoin?

Dogecoin is a joke — or at least it started out as one. Two software engineers — IBM’s Billy Markus and Adobe’s Jackson Palmer — created Dogecoin in 2013 to lampoon all the altcoin wannabes that popped up after Bitcoin rose to blockchain fame. As a logo, they chose a Shiba Inu from a meme called Doge, which went viral that same year.

Important: What Is Unrealized Gain or Loss and Is It Taxed?

Like Bitcoin and all cryptocurrency, Dogecoin is:

Decentralized — it’s not issued or backed by a government or bank

“Mined” independently and recorded on a blockchain

Anonymous — privacy is part of the reason crypto is so popular

Unlike Bitcoin and other “deflationary” cryptocurrencies that exist in limited quantities, there is no cap on “inflationary” Dogecoin.

It started as tech-geek satire, but Palmer and Markus were skilled, experienced and imaginative professionals. Their blockchain, proof-of-work process and minting procedures were stable, efficient and secure. Crypto wonks recognized its potential and the fake currency began amassing a very real following.

More Economy Explained: What Is Inflation and What Does It Mean When It Goes Up or Down?

It already had achieved cult status by the time Tesla CEO Elon Musk started tweeting about Dogecoin in 2021. The props from Musk made Dogecoin a household name and sent its value soaring. It’s now one of the most-used altcoins, particularly for tipping on social media.

How Much Is Dogecoin Worth?

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Investors who are put off by the $59,000 asking price of a single Bitcoin will be happy to know that comparatively, Dogecoin trades at a bargain. As of March 19, Dogecoin was trading at $0.0585 per coin. A single Bitcoin would have bought you almost exactly 1 million Dogecoins. But as of April 20, the price was up to $0.33, according to CoinDesk — a huge increase for people who had already bought in.

Find Out: Why Some Money Experts Believe In Bitcoin and Others Don’t

Is Dogecoin a Good Investment?

If you’re reading a basic primer like this, you’re probably better off sticking with your ETF until you learn the ropes. Investing in crypto is not like buying shares of Walmart or UPS. First, it’s incredibly volatile. Wild price swings that would make the common investor queasy are par for the course.

The way that cryptocurrency is generated, distributed, validated and accounted for is completely foreign even to most tech-savvy investors. It’s not backed by any bank, government or corporation, and despite the fact that it feels like everyone’s talking about it, crypto is still a highly experimental niche concept that the vast majority of people know almost nothing about and are nowhere near adopting.

Read: How To Invest In Cryptocurrency: What You Should Know Before Investing

There’s a steep learning curve to investing in cryptocurrency. It requires immersion. If you’re just hearing about Dogecoin now, it’s probably best to invest time in research before you invest a single dollar in an imaginary coin adorned with a picture of a smiling dog.

This article is part of GOBankingRates’ ‘Economy Explained’ series to help readers navigate the complexities of our financial system.

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