Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has hinted that the company’s futuristic Cybertruck may soon accept Dogecoin, the cryptocurrency inspired by a popular internet meme, as a form of payment. This comes after Musk announced that Tesla would accept Dogecoin for some of its merchandise and at its supercharging station in Santa Monica.
Dogecoin is a cryptocurrency that was created in 2013 as a joke based on the image of a shiba inu dog with a comic sans font. However, the coin gained popularity and value over the years, thanks to the support of celebrities, influencers, and internet communities. Dogecoin has a loyal fan base that calls itself the “Shibes” and often uses the slogan “To the moon” to express their optimism.
Dogecoin has also attracted the attention of Elon Musk, who has frequently tweeted about it and called it “the people’s crypto”. Musk has said that he owns some Dogecoin for his son and that he believes it is better for transactions than Bitcoin, which he considers more suitable as a store of value. Musk has also endorsed Dogecoin over other cryptocurrencies in a recent interview, saying that it has the “best logo” and the “most fun” community.
Tesla’s Dogecoin Experiment
Tesla, the electric car maker founded by Musk, has been experimenting with accepting Dogecoin as a payment method for some of its products and services. In December 2021, Musk tweeted that Tesla would make some merchandise buyable with Doge and see how it goes. He also said that Tesla would soon test accepting Dogecoin at its supercharging station in Santa Monica, California.
In January 2022, Musk confirmed that Tesla’s online store had started accepting Dogecoin for items such as an electric quad bike for kids, a belt buckle, and a whistle. He also announced that the Santa Monica supercharger would officially accept Dogecoin as payment, making it the first in Tesla’s network to do so. Musk said that customers could pay in Doge by scanning a QR code at the station.
Cybertruck: The Next Dogecoin Frontier?
Tesla’s most ambitious and futuristic product is the Cybertruck, a stainless steel electric pickup truck that was unveiled in 2019 and is expected to start production in 2023. The Cybertruck has a distinctive angular design that resembles a sci-fi vehicle and has features such as bulletproof glass, adaptive air suspension, and a solar roof. The Cybertruck has three variants, with prices ranging from $39,900 to $69,900.
Musk has hinted that the Cybertruck may soon accept Dogecoin as a payment option, following the success of Tesla’s Dogecoin experiment. In a tweet on February 23, 2023, Musk responded to a fan who asked if he could buy a Cybertruck with Dogecoin. Musk said, “Sure, why not?” and added a wink emoji. This sparked a surge in Dogecoin’s price and a flurry of excitement among the Shibes.
However, Musk did not provide any details on when or how the Cybertruck would accept Dogecoin payments, or whether it would be available for all variants and regions. Tesla’s website still shows that the Cybertruck can only be reserved with a $100 deposit, payable by credit card or Apple Pay. It is unclear if Tesla will update its website to include Dogecoin as a payment option for the Cybertruck, or if it will announce it later.
The Future of Dogecoin and Tesla
Dogecoin and Tesla have a lot in common: they are both innovative, disruptive, and popular among the masses. They also share a common leader, Elon Musk, who has a vision of making the world a better place with technology and humor. By accepting Dogecoin as a payment method, Tesla is not only boosting the value and adoption of the cryptocurrency, but also creating a loyal and enthusiastic customer base that shares its values and vision.
Dogecoin and Tesla may also benefit from each other’s future plans and projects. For instance, Dogecoin may play a role in Musk’s SpaceX missions, such as the one that will send a satellite named DOGE-1 to the moon in 2023. Tesla may also use Dogecoin to fund its research and development of new technologies, such as the Starlink internet service, the Neuralink brain-computer interface, and the Hyperloop transportation system.
Dogecoin and Tesla are both examples of how the internet can create and shape new realities and possibilities. They are also proof that sometimes, a joke can become a serious and successful endeavor. As Musk once said, “Fate loves irony.”
