Kabosu, the beloved shiba inu whose image became synonymous with the cryptocurrency Dogecoin, passed away on the morning of May 24 at the age of 18, according to a blog post by her owner. The news was met with widespread mourning across social media and the cryptocurrency community.
Dogecoin’s official X account announced on Friday,
“Today, Kabosu, our community’s shared friend and inspiration, peacefully passed, in the arms of her person. The impact this one dog has made across the world is immeasurable.”
Kabosu’s journey to global fame began in the early 2010s when her photograph, featuring a quizzical expression, went viral. This image quickly evolved into the “Doge” meme, characterized by colorful Comic Sans text and phrases like “such wow” and “much amaze.” In 2013, this meme inspired the creation of Dogecoin (DOGE), a cryptocurrency that started as a joke but soon took on a life of its own.
Dogecoin: From Meme to Market Leader
Dogecoin’s ascent was remarkable. What began as a parody of the burgeoning cryptocurrency trend transformed into a serious player in the digital currency market. Dogecoin’s market capitalization soared, making it the largest meme coin and a catalyst for other dog-themed cryptocurrencies like Shiba Inu and Floki.
In the past 24 hours alone, over $2.87 billion worth of Dogecoin was traded, highlighting the coin’s enduring popularity and the ongoing influence of Kabosu’s image, according to CoinMarketCap.
Kabosu’s owner shared that a memorial ceremony will be held on Sunday at Flower Kaori in Kotsu no Mori, Narita City, from 1 PM to 4 PM, allowing fans and admirers to pay their respects to the iconic shiba inu.
The legacy of Kabosu and her inadvertent role in the cryptocurrency world remains unparalleled. From a simple meme to the face of a multi-billion dollar digital currency, Kabosu’s influence has been vast and profound. As the community bids farewell to their cherished mascot, the spirit of Dogecoin continues to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of digital currencies.