Dogecoin, originally created as a “joke currency” in 2013, has since skyrocketed in popularity, becoming the third-largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin and Ethereum. Despite its initially humorous brand and its low value, Dogecoin has proven itself to be a valuable digital asset, with a current market capitalization of over $10 billion. In this article, we’ll examine all the factors that make Dogecoin a valuable asset for investors, miners, and users alike.
History of Dogecoin
Dogecoin was created in 2013 by programmer Billy Markus and Adobe/IBM software engineer Jackson Palmer. The idea was to create a “joke currency” to rival Bitcoin, with a unique branding inspired by the popular “Doge” meme of a Shiba Inu, which was very popular at the time.
The attention generated by this fun, silly currency reached the point that in 2017, Dogecoin began to be listed on major exchanges, such as Coinbase, Huobi, and OKEx, bringing it into the mainstream. Its popularity continued to grow, and as of mid-2021, Dogecoin is the third-largest cryptocurrency.
Advantages of Dogecoin
Dogecoin has a number of advantages that make it attractive to a wide variety of users. Here are just a few:
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Low Transaction Fees: Dogecoin has extremely low transaction fees in comparison to other digital currencies. The average fee for a Dogecoin transaction is only about 2.30 doge, making it one of the cheapest options for digital payments.
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Fast Transactions: Dogecoin is much faster to transact and confirm than Bitcoin, taking only about a minute compared to Bitcoin’s roughly 10 minutes. This makes it ideal for small purchases or transfers that require quick turnarounds.
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Flexibility: Dogecoin doesn’t have the same scalability issues as other digital currencies, meaning transactions are much easier to perform and are flexible enough to accommodate transactions of any size.
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Community Support: Dogecoin’s community is one of its greatest assets, with passionate supporters all over the world. This has led to an increase in the use of Dogecoin for charitable donations and other charitable activities.
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Mining Rewards: Dogecoin’s mining algorithm is Scrypt, which is simpler and less power-hungry than Bitcoin’s SHA-256 algorithm. This makes Dogecoin much easier and more profitable to mine than many other coins.
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Merchant Adoption: An ever-growing number of merchants now accept Dogecoin as payment, making it more accessible and usable as a currency.
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Accessibility: Dogecoin is extremely easy to get started with. Unlike other cryptocurrencies, it doesn’t require any technical knowledge or the need to purchase extra hardware. All you need to get started is an internet-enabled computer or smartphone.
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Innovative Development: Dogecoin’s development team is continuously working on new features and improvements, keeping the currency on the cutting edge of cryptocurrency technology.
How To Acquire Dogecoin
Now that we have discussed some of the advantages of Dogecoin, let’s take a look at how to acquire it. Here are some of the most popular methods of purchasing or acquiring Dogecoin:
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Cryptocurrency Exchanges: Many of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges such as Coinbase, Huobi, Binance and OKEx offer Dogecoin trading pairs. In order to purchase Dogecoin on an exchange, you’ll need to create an account, deposit Bitcoin or other supported currency, and then place an order for Dogecoin.
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Peer-to-Peer Trading Platforms: There are a number of peer-to-peer trading platforms that allow users to buy Dogecoin directly from other users. Popular platforms such as HodlHodl, LocalCryptos, and Bitsquare make it easy to find a seller and purchase Dogecoin with your preferred payment method.
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Dogecoin Faucets: A Dogecoin faucet is a website or app that allows users to earn free Dogecoin. By completing simple tasks and surveys, users can accumulate small amounts of Dogecoin over time.
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Mining: Mining is a popular way to acquire Dogecoin, although it can be expensive to set up a mining rig. To mine Dogecoin, users need to install special software on their computer and use their computing power to solve complex mathematical puzzles. If successful, users are rewarded with Dogecoin for their contribution to the network.
Dogecoin, despite its lighthearted beginnings, has become a major player in the cryptocurrency world with a market capitalization of over $10 billion. There are a number of reasons why Dogecoin stands out from other coins, from its low transaction fees and its speedy transaction times, to its passionate community and its access to innovative new features. Finally, with a variety of ways to purchase or mine Dogecoin, it is easy to get started with it and become a part of the Dogecoin family.