# Shiba Inu (SHIB) > Shib is a 2020 Doge derivative based on the Shiba Inu that became so popular it evolved into its own independent meme and cryptocurrency phenomenon. Shiba Inu (SHIB) is an Ethereum-based meme token launched in August 2020 under the pseudonym Ryoshi. It built its identity around a stylized Shiba dog mascot, a rivalry with Dogecoin and a supporter community known as the ShibArmy. ## Origin Shiba Inu launched in August 2020, attributed to an anonymous person or group using the name Ryoshi. The project described its beginnings as an experiment in decentralized community building. SHIB launched on Ethereum with an initial supply of one quadrillion tokens. - **Platform:** Ethereum - **Creator:** Ryoshi (pseudonymous founder) - **Date:** August 2020 ## Overview In this context, Shiba Inu means the cryptocurrency project and the culture surrounding SHIB. Its recurring symbols are its illustrated dog logo, its ticker, the ShibArmy name and the ambition captured by its early 'Dogecoin killer' positioning. SHIB differs from a conventional image macro. There is no single photograph with a caption everyone must preserve. The recognizable material is a shared brand and story: the mascot represents the project, the army represents its supporters, and the rivalry gives them something to rally around. That makes participation part of the meme. A supporter can spread the identity through a joke, a piece of fan art, a discussion about the token or a celebration of a project milestone. The common reference is SHIB, even when the format changes. ## How It Spread SHIB gained visibility in May 2021 when Vitalik Buterin donated tokens to COVID-19 relief and later burned his holdings. Coinbase listed SHIB in September 2021, and by October the token had briefly overtaken Dogecoin by market capitalization. ## How to Use SHIB participation takes many forms: 1. Hold and trade SHIB tokens on exchanges like Coinbase 2. Identify with the ShibArmy community 3. Create or share fan art featuring the SHIB mascot 4. Engage with ecosystem products like ShibaSwap or Shibarium ## Cultural Impact SHIB illustrates a form of internet culture in which a tradable token, a mascot and a supporter identity develop together. The joke provides an approachable introduction; the rivalry creates a narrative; the community keeps giving the symbols new contexts. Its 2021 breakthrough shows how the financial and cultural stories can reinforce each other. A market milestone becomes material for the community's story, and the story gives that milestone meaning beyond its number. Shiba Inu's defining meme is the idea that a community can organize around an improbable challenger and help make it consequential. The dog is its emblem. SHIB and the ShibArmy are the subject. ## Fun Facts - SHIB launched with an initial supply of one quadrillion tokens - Vitalik Buterin received unsolicited SHIB tokens and donated/burned them in May 2021 - The donation to COVID-19 relief in India was valued above $1 billion at the time - SHIB briefly overtook Dogecoin by market cap in October 2021 - The ShibPaper describes SHIB as 'the ultimate meme' and proposes a 'digital global state' ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Shiba Inu (SHIB)? Shiba Inu (SHIB) is an Ethereum-based meme token launched in August 2020 under the pseudonym Ryoshi. It built its identity around a Dogecoin rivalry and a supporter community called the ShibArmy. ### Who created Shiba Inu? SHIB was created by an anonymous person or group using the pseudonym Ryoshi. The real-world identity has never been established. ### What is the ShibArmy? ShibArmy is the name for the Shiba Inu supporter community. It's a collective identity that turns token ownership into membership in a shared story. ### Why is SHIB called the 'Dogecoin killer'? The phrase positioned SHIB as a challenger to Dogecoin, the original meme cryptocurrency. In October 2021, SHIB briefly overtook DOGE by market capitalization. ### What happened with Vitalik Buterin and SHIB? In May 2021, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin received unsolicited SHIB tokens. He donated some to COVID-19 relief in India and burned the rest, saying he didn't want the power. ### What is the difference between SHIB and Dogecoin? SHIB is an Ethereum-based token launched in 2020. Dogecoin operates on its own blockchain and launched in 2013. They share dog-themed branding but are separate projects. ## References 1. [Shiba Inu Price - Coinbase]() 2. [ShibArmy Community]() 3. [Shiba Inu (cryptocurrency) - Wikipedia]() 4. [History of Dogecoin]() 5. [Vitalik Buterin Burns SHIB Tokens - CoinDesk]() 6. [Vitalik Buterin COVID-19 Donation - WSJ]() 7. [SHIB Available on Coinbase]() 8. [The ShibPaper]() --- Source: https://meme.com/memes/shib Published by meme.com — The Internet Meme Library