Dogecoin was created in 2013 by software developers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer as a parody of the cryptocurrency frenzy. Inspired by the popular Doge meme, the coin was initially intended as a lighthearted joke rather than a serious investment vehicle. Despite this, Dogecoin quickly gained traction online and built a loyal community. It’s been used for tipping creators, sponsoring events, and even fundraising campaigns — most notably to sponsor a NASCAR driver and an Olympic team. Technically, Dogecoin is based on Litecoin and inherited many of its attributes, including faster block times and low transaction fees. While Dogecoin has become a cultural phenomenon and even attracted high-profile endorsements, it arrived well after Bitcoin and was never intended to lead the crypto movement. Its creation came four years after Bitcoin’s and was more about internet culture than solving the foundational issues Bitcoin addressed.