Dogecoin Founder Reveals His Painful Bitcoin Sales in 2015

Dogecoin Founder Shares His Painful Bitcoin Sales from 2015

Billy Markus, the founder of Dogecoin, recently reflected on his decision to sell Bitcoin in 2015 — a choice that, in hindsight, seems costly given Bitcoin’s current valuation.

Markus posted on X, recounting the transactions that saw him part ways with 37.37 bitcoins at a rate of approximately $244.27 and $436.11 each.

Those same bitcoins would now be worth over $368.49 million had he retained them.

His original sale amount totalled just $13,046.13.

With a touch of dry humour, Markus commented,

"If you ever want to feel better about yourself, look at my trades."

This references his decision to sell at a time when financial pressures weighed heavily on him.

Why Did Markus Sell His Bitcoin?

The story of Markus’s decision dates back to 2015, a significant year in his life.

Facing financial uncertainty, losing his job, and fearing for his savings, he chose to liquidate his holdings to stabilise his personal situation.

Markus shared his story through an open letter to the r/dogecoin subreddit four years ago.

He shared a candid reflection on his financial decisions:

“I gave away and/or sold all the crypto I had back in 2015 after being laid off and scared about my dwindling savings at the time, for about enough in total to buy a used Honda Civic.”

His decision came from a place of necessity rather than strategy.

Bitcoin’s value was much less certain back then, and the potential for long-term wealth seemed overshadowed by immediate financial fears.

However, his recent post reflects a mix of humour and reflection as he revisits the financial reality of his choice.

The Real Value of Dogecoin in Today’s Market

In 2015, Markus also left the Dogecoin project.

Through his open letter, he shared that he no longer owns any Dogecoin except what has been tipped to him.

Dogecoin has come a long way since Markus created it in 2013 as a light-hearted meme-inspired cryptocurrency.

Just three days ago, Dogecoin marked its 11th anniversary.

While its journey began as a joke, it has grown into a significant player in the crypto market, with its current value sitting at $0.443 — significantly lower than its peak of $0.7376 in May 2021.

Despite its ups and downs, Dogecoin remains a cultural icon within the crypto world.

Markus has consistently questioned its financial worth, especially in light of the coin's volatility and its association with internet culture.

“People are talking about Dogecoin going to $1 — that would put its market cap on par with major corporations like Boeing and Starbucks,” Markus stated. “I struggle to see if that kind of valuation makes sense or aligns with Dogecoin’s original purpose.”

Markus believes that Dogecoin’s true value lies less in market numbers and more in its community and shared ideals.

For him, the strength of the coin is in the joy, creativity, kindness, and shared humour among its members.

“The real value of DOGE is in its community and its potential to do good,” he reflected.

Today’s Dogecoin market may not align with the speculative heights it saw in previous years, but its community-driven mission remains a point of focus.

Dogecoin's X account has garnered more than 4.1 million followers.

Markus’s perspective continues to challenge crypto enthusiasts to think beyond just price charts and market caps and reflect on the principles and values cryptocurrencies can represent.

Elon Musk’s Influence Keeps Dogecoin in the Spotlight

Notably, Elon Musk has played a significant role in maintaining Dogecoin’s visibility, often referring to it as “the people’s crypto.”

Musk’s endorsement has led to major price surges, with his tweets sparking a 50% jump in value at one point.

Reflecting on this, Markus finds it surreal that something created as a joke has grown into a key symbol of internet culture and speculative trading.

Markus shared:

“It’s amusing to see Elon Musk talk about it. It feels silly, but there’s this huge upwelling behind it.”

True value - an open letter from Billy Markus, co-founder and original creator of Dogecoin
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