Memecoins
Dogecoin mascot Kabosu has died: the meme that broke finance
Kabosu – the Shiba Inu who gained worldwide fame as the face of the “Doge” meme and inspired the creation of the popular memecoin known as Dogecoin (DOGE) — died peacefully on May 24 at the age of 17.
Atsuko Sato, the owner of Kabosu, shared the heartbreaking news on his official blog, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of love and support for Kabosu over the years. Sato announced that a farewell party for “Kabo-chan” will be held at Flower Kaori in Kotsu no Mori, Narita City on May 26. The message says:
Last night, as usual, she had her meal and drank lots of water. The soft light streamed through the window and it was a beautiful morning with birds singing outside.
She died quietly, as if falling asleep, while I was caressing her.
Doge fans come together
The crypto community and countless Kabosu fans came together to express their condolences, sharing tributes and cherished memories of the dog who became an internet sensation. Kabosu’s rise to fame began in 2010 when Sato posted photos of his adopted dog on his blog.
One particular image, capturing Kabosu’s skeptical and curious expression, quickly went viral and gave birth to the “Doge” meme. This single image, often accompanied by phrases in broken English and Comic Sans font, has become a cornerstone of Internet culture.
In 2013, the popularity of the meme spread to the financial landscape with the creation of Dogecoin, which uses the image of Kabosu as its official logo. Although intended as a joke, Dogecoin has become a popular coin that has been behind many charitable initiatives, including funding clean water projects and supporting the Jamaican bobsleigh team.
In December 2022, when Sato informed the community that Kabosu was facing health issues, the crypto community rallied behind her. A Twitter user even offered to cover all expenses necessary to ensure that Kabosu receives the best treatment.
I wish Kabosu a speedy recovery, I pray for her🙏 and I’m sorry to even mention money at a time like this, but any expenses necessary to ensure she gets the best treatment, please consider that they are paid. I say this with all due respect.
-Alpha Doge (@alphadoge777) December 26, 2022
Kabosu’s impact has extended beyond the internet, even influencing political campaigns. Recently, US President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign announced plans to hire a “meme master» to manage relationships with digital media companies, podcasts and meme pages on various social media platforms, highlighting the growing importance of meme culture in today’s society.