1 Tame “Doge” That Could Become a Powerful Wolf

In order to maximize your return potential from the volatility of crypto, you may have to focus on smaller, riskier tokens.

| More on:
crypto blockchain

Image source: Getty Images

“It’s a joke is taken too far.” Few events in human history fit that definition, as Dogecoin (CRYTPO:DOGE) does. It was created as the first “meme coin” and, in a way, was a practical commentary on the wildly speculative crypto market.

As an Altcoin, DOGE shares a lot with the precursor Bitcoin and thousands of other cryptos. However, it’s also different in many ways. For one, there is no cap on how many Dogecoins there can be. There are over 132.6 billion coins in circulation at the time of writing this, and there can be much more.

It can be mined, and the reward, which used to be random, is now fixed at 10,000 per one block mined, and it’s relatively easy to mine. The crypto got traction from the meme communities, but the real push came from Elon Musk, who tweeted about it in 2019. But the crypto value still languished in obscurity up until the mid-2021 peak, which pushed its value 31,000% higher than what it was at the beginning of 2020.

Currently, Dogecoin is the 12th-largest cryptocurrency by market cap.

Dogecoin 2021-2022

The cryptocurrency has come down a long way from its 2021 peak, and the 77% decline is only increasing (for now). Even though Bitcoin and Ethereum have to started to recover, Dogecoin is lagging, but that’s not unusual. Its previous spike didn’t exactly coincide with the giants in the market, and its next one won’t either.

Currently, the crypto is trading for a neat $0.2 per coin. And at this rate, even if it goes to $1 apiece, a height it hasn’t reached yet (but got quite near to), it can grow your capital five-fold. You can set the bar low and hope for its former peak: $0.84 per unit, and you can still experience 400% growth if you buy at the current price, which is much more than Bitcoin or Ethereum can offer.

The long-term prospects

Dogecoin may have started out as a joke cryptocurrency, but with Elon’s backing and mainstream adaption, it is growing as more than just a speculative crypto asset you can trade. It’s moving away from its former proof-of-work framework to proof-of-stake, which is more sustainable. However, how this transition impacts mining, trading, and interest in Dogecoin in general, is too soon to tell.

The speculation angle, however, is still the same. The speculative nature of the asset can allow its growth to be triggered by some positive market conditions, and if it spikes again at its former pace, reaching $1 might not be too far off a goal. So, even if it’s the best Dogecoin is capable of, and it takes you two or three years to achieve, you have to determine whether it’s worth the risk.

Foolish takeaway

While the current proof-of-work reward mechanism might not make it a very attractive ESG holding, the framework it’s shifting to would come under responsible ESG investing. That might be an additional incentive to consider investing in this crypto.  

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Adam Othman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns and recommends Bitcoin and Ethereum.

More on Investing

Train cars pass over trestle bridge in the mountains
Dividend Stocks

Is CNR Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Can CNR stock continue its long-term outperformance into 2025 and beyond? Let's explore whether now is a good time to…

Read more »

engineer at wind farm
Energy Stocks

Invest $20,000 in This Dividend Stock for $100 in Monthly Passive Income

This dividend stock has it all – a strong outlook, monthly income, and even more to consider buying today.

Read more »

Hourglass and stock price chart
Stock Market

It’s Not Too Late: Invest in These TSX Growth Stocks Now

Solid fundamentals of these top TSX growth stocks could help them maintain strong upward momentum in the years to come.

Read more »

coins jump into piggy bank
Dividend Stocks

The Smartest Dividend Stocks to Buy With $500 Right Now

These top dividend stocks both offer attractive yields and trade off their highs, making them two of the best to…

Read more »

stocks climbing green bull market
Stocks for Beginners

3 TSX Stocks Soaring Higher With No Signs of Slowing

Don't ignore stocks just because they look like they're at a high price. Instead, see exactly why they've driven so…

Read more »

dividends can compound over time
Bank Stocks

Is TD Bank Stock a Buy for Its 5.2% Dividend Yield?

TD Bank stock offers a rare 5.2% dividend yield—can it rebound from challenges and reward contrarian investors? Here's what to…

Read more »

chart reflected in eyeglass lenses
Investing

How Should a Beginner Invest in Stocks? Start With This Index Fund

This Vanguard index fund is the perfect way to start a Canadian investment portfolio.

Read more »

analyze data
Bank Stocks

Is BMO Stock a Buy for its 4.7% Dividend Yield?

Bank of Montreal is up 20% since late August. Are more gains on the way?

Read more »