Dogecoin enthusiasts witnessed a recent price surge of 29%, fueled by reports that Tesla, the electric vehicle giant led by Elon Musk, now accepts DOGE as a payment option. However, a closer look reveals this might not be entirely new information.
Over the weekend, eagle-eyed crypto observers noticed Dogecoin appearing as a payment option on Tesla’s website. While true, this functionality isn’t exactly groundbreaking. Since January 2022, Tesla has accepted DOGE for specific merchandise purchases through its online Tesla Shop, excluding electric vehicles.
The recent price jump likely stems from a resurgence of this existing news within the crypto community. Dogecoin, which traded at $0.1314 on Friday, experienced a significant 28.69% increase within 24 hours, reaching $0.1691.
However, skepticism lingers around the “new” Tesla-DOGE integration. Critics point out that Elon Musk’s companies have embraced Dogecoin payments for merchandise for quite some time.
A Brief History of Tesla and Dogecoin Payments
In December 2021, Musk initially announced Tesla’s experiment with accepting DOGE for certain merchandise. A month later, the company officially confirmed Dogecoin as a payment method for the Tesla Shop, replacing Bitcoin due to environmental concerns. Notably, Musk, in a pre-existing interview, praised Dogecoin over Bitcoin for its faster transaction speeds and lower fees.
Following Tesla’s move, SpaceX, another Musk-led company, also began accepting DOGE payments for its products.
Therefore, while the recent price surge suggests a renewed interest in Dogecoin as a potential Tesla payment option for electric cars, it’s crucial to remember that the meme coin has been a viable payment method for Tesla merchandise for over two years.
Also Read: Bitcoin Soars Past $63,000 as Meme Coins Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and PEPE See Double-Digit Gains
The Future of DOGE Payments at Tesla
During a March 2024 visit to the Giga Berlin factory, Musk addressed the possibility of Tesla accepting DOGE for car purchases. He acknowledged the potential for future DOGE integration but offered no concrete timeline.
Interestingly, Musk’s continued support for Dogecoin stems partially from employee requests. He has often portrayed Bitcoin as the cryptocurrency of the wealthy, while Dogecoin aligns more closely with the “people’s currency” narrative, influencing his decision to endorse it for his businesses.
While the wait for DOGE car payments continues, the existing option for merchandise purchases signifies a continuing partnership between the meme coin and Elon Musk’s ventures.
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