Getting Started with Dogecoins

Dogecoin is a fun, new and rapidly growing form of cryptocurrency.

You can use it to buy goods and services, or trade it for other currencies (both other cryptocurrencies or traditional currency like US dollars). By far the most popular use the Dogecoin however is for “tipping” fellow internet-goers who are creating or sharing great content. Think of it as a more meaningful “like” or upvote, with real value that can be used all across the internet.

Step 1 – Get a wallet

To start using Dogecoin, you’ll need a wallet. A wallet is just like your online bank account, only your entire account is stored securely on your local computer or in the cloud. From your wallet you can send and receive Dogecoin, manage your address book and review a history of your transactions.

Online wallets – the quickest and easiest to use, but lacking the security of storing your wallet on your own computer. We recommend you only store a small amount of Dogecoin in an online wallet at any time:

  • Dogevault
  • DogeAPI

Desktop wallets – can be downloaded and run from your computer’s desktop. Desktop wallets are more secure as they don’t rely on a third-party server in the cloud:

  • Windows
  • OS X
  • Source code (if you’re using Linux, you’ll need to compile the wallet yourself)

For Windows and OS X users, simply extract the .zip file to a secure location on your computer, then double click on “dogecoin-qt” to run. For information on how to use your desktop wallet, check out this great post.

Mobile wallets – secure and convenient, run from your smart phone:

  • Android

Step 2 – Get some Dogecoin

Now that you have a shiny new wallet, you’ll want to get some DOGE to put in it. There are several ways to go about acquiring Dogecoin:

Water bowls – small, free doge treats. Water bowls (sometimes called “faucets”) are websites maintained by generous shibes that simply give out free coins to anyone who enters their wallet address. Find an up-to-date list of active faucets here.

Giveaways – held by generous shibes across forums and Reddit, often for simply replying to a post with your address. Begging for coins on the main forums and threads is prohibited, although special areas exists for this purpose.

Tipping – the act of a user on a forum or social media website giving Dogecoin to another user through an automatic “tip bot”. It’s the new way to say “hey, you’re awesome” and show your appreciation publicly through a tangible reward.

Tip bots manage tips between all users on a service, rather than sending coins directly to their wallet. Commands vary based on the service being used, however popular bots include:

  • Reddit tip bot
  • Twitter tip bot

You must register for these services separately in order to transfer doge between your wallet and the respective tip bot, although you don’t need to be registered for someone to tip you. All you need to do to receive potential tips is start participating in the community!

Digging – digging is the act of what other coins call “mining” for newly generated Dogecoin using the processing power of your home computer’s GPU or CPU. Take a look at the following resources to get started:

Trading – you can currently trade Dogecoin for Bitcoin and a range of other currencies at the following exchanges:

  • Cryptsy
  • BTER
  • Coins-e
  • CoinedUp
  • Vircurex

Earning – your business can start accepting Dogecoin as payment for the products or services you already sell. Give your customers the option to pay in Dogecoin using these merchant services:

  • DogeAPI
  • Moolah

Step 3 – Use your Dogecoin

Dogecoin can be used for tipping fellow shibes, purchasing goods and services online, and much more.

Business directories – comprehensive lists of businesses already accepting Dogecoin as payment:

  • DOGEdir
  • Dogebiz

Trading posts – exchange your Dogecoin with other people for just about anything you can imagine. Find an up-to-date list of trading posts here

Online games – such slots. much lotto. very roulette. Find an up-to-date list of game sites here

Tip, tip, tip! – don’t forget that sharing is caring, make sure you give fellow shibes some much deserved kudos using the tip bots listed above

Step 4 – Stay up to date

Join the growing Dogecoin community, keep in the loop with the latest news, and help us reach the moon:

  • /r/dogecoin subreddit
  • The Dogecoin Foundation
  • @dogecoin on Twitter

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