This guide will discuss how to buy Dogecoin in the UK. We will also look at the cryptocurrency itself and try to understand the reasons behind its burgeoning popularity. Lastly, we will discuss whether Dogecoin is a good investment.
Dogecoin has been making waves in the crypto ecosystem since its inception in 2013. Initially created as a joke cryptocurrency, Dogecoin has gained an incredible following, making it the largest meme coin by market capitalization. It has also been endorsed by several high-profile individuals, notably Elon Musk. As a result, it became extremely popular among investors looking for their piece of the Dogecoin pie.
How To Buy Dogecoin In The UK: Brief Overview
Here is a quick 4-step guide to buying Dogecoin in the UK today. It outlines the meme crypto buying process embraced by all the best altcoin exchanges in the United Kingdom. It is fast and straightforward – only taking a few minutes. For this illustration, we teach you how to buy Dogecoin instantly on eToto.
- Step 1: Create an Account – Open the official eToro website and hit the “Sign Up” icon. The exchange will ask for basic personal information and trading experience.
- Step 2: Deposit Funds – Once you have created and verified your account, you can deposit funds into your trading account.
- Step 3: Search For Dogecoin – Next, use the search bar to search for Dogecoin or DOGE.
- Step 4: Buy Dogecoin – Once you have found Dogecoin, enter the amount you wish to invest and confirm the trade.
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
Later on in this guide, we will provide you with a more detailed Dogecoin-buying process. First, though, we look at what is actually Dogecoin and review the best Dogecoin exchanges in the UK today.
Where to Buy Dogecoin in the UK – Top Trading Platforms
In this section of our guide on buying Dogecoin in the UK, we will look at some of the platforms you can use to get started. First, let’s go over the platforms.
- eToro – Our choice for the best Dogecoin trading platform in the UK
- Kraken – Offers users hundreds of major cryptocurrencies, including Dogecoin
- Coinbase – An extremely popular crypto trading platform popular with new and retail traders
Now, let’s take a look at each of the platforms in a little more detail.
1. eToro
eToro is our top pick of the best crypto exchange to buy Dogecoin in the UK. The platform is widely regarded as one of the most secure trading providers in the market and is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced traders. eToro supports all major cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (DOGE), PEPE, Litecoin (LTC), Cardano, etc. Besides Dogecoin, eToro also allows users to invest in traditional markets such as stocks, commodities, ETFs, indices, and index funds.
Regulation
eToro is highly regulated by several regulatory bodies. In the UK, it is regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). This ensures that users on the platform can trade in a secure environment.
Fees On eToro
eToro uses a flat fee structure, charging a 1% fee on all crypto trades. You will only pay a 1% fee if you want to trade DOGE. eToro also does not charge a fee for holding user assets, and the minimum deposit required to begin trading on the platform is just $10. eToro also allows fractional investing, meaning investors can purchase a portion of an asset instead of breaking the bank.
Features
eToro is known for its unique feature list thanks to features such as Copy Trading, Smart Portfolios, and Social Trading.
Copy Trading
Copy Trading is a unique feature that allows users on eToro to mirror the trades of professional traders on the platform. This will enable them to earn a passive income by taking advantage of trades executed by professional traders, reducing the need for too much market research when purchasing DOGE.
However, traders must remember that investing is inherently risky. There is no guarantee that trades, even those done by professionals. Most trades are possible, but the risk of considerable losses remains. The minimum investment required for Copy Trading is also on the higher side at $200.
Social Trading
eToro is a well-known social trading platform that allows users to interact with one another. Users can view and discuss trades, discuss market developments, and comment on posts about trades and popular assets.
Smart Portfolios
Smart Portfolios allows users on eToro to invest in assets chosen by the eToro team. The portfolios are professionally managed, which means all you have to do is invest and leave the rest to eToro.
Read Also: How to buy Dogecoin via eToro
Payment Modes
eToro supports several payment modes. These include debit cards, credit cards, bank wire transfers, and e-wallets like PayPal and Neteller. Credit and debit card deposits are processed instantly. However, the transactions take a few days to be credited by the bank.
- Regulated by the FCA
- Supports multiple payment modes such as debit cards, credit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets
- User-friendly
- Offers innovative features such as copy trading, smart portfolios, and social trading
- Customer support could be better
- Limited selection of crypto assets
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
2. Kraken
A number of factors informed our decision to feature Kraken, among the best crypto exchanges to buy Dogecoin in the UK today. It was founded in 2011 and is an excellent choice for those looking to purchase crypto assets. Apart from Dogecoin, Kraken offers users over 200 cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Sushi (SUSHI), Litecoin (LTC), Polygon (MATIC), Cardano (ADA), Stellar Lumens (XLM), Uniswap (UNI), and several others. Users can also access major stablecoins such as DAI, USDT, USDC, and eight major fiat currencies, including GBP.
Fees On Kraken
There are two distinct platforms on Kraken: Kraken and Kraken Pro. The fees depend on which of the two platforms is being used. Fees on the main Kraken platform are a percentage of the total transaction value plus a spread. Transaction fees are displayed during the transaction, meaning traders are fully aware of the fee during the trading process.
On the other hand, Kraken Pro charges considerably lower fees than the primary platform and offers advanced trading features. Fees on Kraken Pro are based on the trader’s total trading volume over 30 days, although most trades are subject to a 0.26% taker fee and a 0.16% maker fee. Regarding regulation, the platform is regulated by the FCA in the UK.
Trading Experience
As mentioned earlier, Kraken offers two distinct platforms, Kraken and Kraken Pro. The Kraken platform is excellent for beginners, allowing them to quickly verify their accounts and begin trading DOGE through their linked bank accounts. Traders can also directly convert currencies from their trading accounts, further adding to the convenience. Accounts on Kraken are secured using 2FA to prevent any unauthorized access.
Now for Kraken Pro. Users can access Kraken Pro through a smartphone or web browser. The advanced trading platform offers users features such as active charts and more detailed asset information. Fees on Kraken Pro are significantly lower than those on the main Kraken platform.
- Kraken is a highly reputable platform
- A large selection of cryptocurrencies, including DOGE
- Advanced features thanks to Kraken Pro
- 24/7 customer support
- Limited deposit and withdrawal methods
- Highly rated when it comes to safety and security
3. Coinbase
The next platform to buy meme coins in the UK is Coinbase. Apart from Dogecoin, Coinbase supports major cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Litecoin, Tether, Solana, Stellar Lumens, Ripple, Decentraland, MANA, MATIC, and others. The platform also supports lesser-known cryptocurrencies such as Band, Graph, and Maker.
Opening an account on Coinbase is relatively simple. All you must do is go to the Coinbase website and click on “Create Account.” You must submit a government-issued ID card and proof of residence. Once your account is verified, you can deposit funds into your account via debit card or direct bank transfer.
Fees
Compared to other crypto trading platforms, fees on Coinbase are rather steep. Traders using their debit cards are charged a fee of 3.99%. While bank deposits are free, users must pay a commission of 1.49% to buy or sell orders on Coinbase. Meanwhile, Coinbase Pro offers users digital currency pairs that can be traded at lower commissions starting at 0.50% per slide. While this is still on the higher side, it is less than what Coinbase’s primary platform charges.
Security
Coinbase has established itself as one of the most secure crypto trading platforms, giving users unmatched security. Coinbase is fully compliant with relevant KYC and AML regulations. Funds on Coinbase are stored offline, and two-factor authentication is mandatory when signing up.
- Highly regulated and secure trading platform
- It supports several payment modes, making purchasing Dogecoin highly convenient
- User-friendly with a simple interface.
- Dedicated mobile app
- Customer support needs to be better
- The fee structure is complicated
What is Dogecoin?
Dogecoin (DOGE) is an open-source, peer-to-peer cryptocurrency created in 2013. The blockchain and its underlying technology have been derived from Liteocin, which uses its Scrypt algorithm to enable key features such as low price and unlimited supply. Dogecoin has established itself as the most popular meme coin in the market. As the first meme coin in the crypto space, Dogecoin has a long history compared to some of its peers.
Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer founded Dogecoin. Palmer had grown disillusioned at the state of the crypto markets and with the number of altcoins popping up. Frustrated, he tweeted in jest that he was investing in a new cryptocurrency called Dogecoin, a fake cryptocurrency based on a hugely popular meme and featuring a Shiba Inu dog. While the tweet was intended as a joke and no such cryptocurrency existed then, many people contacted him to inquire about the so-called cryptocurrency. When they discovered it was just a joke, they encouraged him to create a new cryptocurrency.
Palmer was working as a product manager with Adobe. Following the encouraging responses, he purchased the domain dogecoin.com, taking the first steps towards creating Dogecoin.
Meanwhile, Billy Markus, a software developer at IBM, was working on his own digital currency. However, he was facing considerable difficulties in promoting his efforts. While doing so, he came across Dogecoin and, after reading up on the digital currency, contacted Palmer and asked him if he could create the software that would power Dogecoin.
Dogecoin’s source code is heavily based on Luckycoin, whose code was sourced from Litecoin, one of the largest cryptocurrencies in the world. Initially, Dogecoin used randomized block rewards for block mining. However, it switched to static rewards in 2014. The cryptocurrency was officially launched in December 2013 and saw its value surge within months.
Key Milestones in The History Of Dogecoin
There have been several significant events in the history of Dogecoin. Let’s look at some of them.
- December 2013 – Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer officially create and launch Dogecoin.
- June 2014 – The Dogecoin Foundation is established and given the responsibility of improving the currency’s code.
- April 2015 – Jackson Palmer leaves Dogecoin.
- January 2018 – Dogecoin’s market cap briefly crosses $2 billion.
- January 2021 – Dogecoin surges to a market cap of $9 billion, driven by the subreddit SatoshiStreetBets.
- May 2021 – Dogecoin hits an all-time high of $0.73 following Musk’s Saturday Night Live Appearance.
- June 2021 – Dogecoin starts getting listed on major cryptocurrency exchanges.
How Does Dogecoin Work and What is is Used for?
Dogecoin uses the Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism based on Litecoin’s Scrypt, using blockchain technology to aggregate transactions on its network and cryptographic techniques to secure these transactions. While Dogecoin may have utility as a mode of payment, it is not an ideal store of value. This is because there is no limit on the number of DOGE that can be created, making the cryptocurrency inflationary in nature.
Despite its lack of real-world use cases, Dogecoin is one of the most popular cryptocurrencies, with a current market cap of $12 billion.
Use Cases of Dogecoin
Dogecoin has had a highly invested community, and the hype around the meme token saw its price surge in 2021. However, Dogecoin itself does not have any specific use case or any use as a dominant currency or store of value. But why can’t Dogecoin become a mainstream currency? The reason boils down to its infinite supply, making it an inflationary asset. Over 14 million DOGE is mined daily. In contrast, Bitcoin has a maximum supply of 21 million, giving it scarcity and profoundly affecting its value.
However, Dogecoin has found use as a mode of payment for tipping or making small online payments. Because its Dollar value is lower than other established cryptocurrencies, users can work with whole numbers, making transactions using DOGE far easier than BTC. Due to its lower unit price, popularity, and transaction speed, Dogecoin is potentially more viable than other cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH).
The technical makeup of Dogecoin gives it an advantage over Bitcoin when it comes to transaction speeds. The Bitcoin blockchain sees blocks mined every ten minutes. However, blocks on the Dogecoin blockchain take only 60 seconds.
Is Dogecoin a Good Investment?
Before investing in Dogecoin, you must assess whether it is a good investment. You must consider if Dogecoin suits your financial goals and risk tolerance and the future of Dogecoin as a whole. In this section of our guide on how to buy Dogecoin in the UK, we will discuss whether Dogecoin is a good investment or not.
Low Entry Barrier
Dogecoin is currently trading at $0.12, over 80% lower than its all-time high of $0.73. This marks a relatively low entry point should you want to invest in Dogecoin, as it would not take too much capital to purchase a significant chunk of DOGE. With the markets picking up again, you can purchase DOGE at a highly discounted price compared to its all-time high. Who knows, Dogecoin could set a new all-time high sometime in the near future.
Price Movements
Dogecoin has remained relatively stable in its price for much of its existence. However, following comments from Elon Musk, the Dogecoin price began showing rapid price movements as investor interest surged. This is why it is best to analyze the price of Dogecoin from this period.
At the beginning of 2021, Dogecoin was trading at around $0.005 per token. This means investing just £500 would have let you purchase around 100,000 DOGE. Dogecoin’s price surged after Elon Musk’s comments and endorsement of the cryptocurrency, which saw it go on a bullish run that peaked at $0.73. In a few months, the value of Dogecoin surged by 15,000%. This means an initial investment of £500 would have been worth £73,000 at its peak.
However, since then, the price of Dogecoin has fallen considerably to its current price levels.
The Elon Musk Influence
When Elon Musk announced that he held Dogecoin, it created significant hype around the token. This hype led to Dogecoin surging in value and hitting an all-time high of $0.73. Musk is one of the world’s most influential individuals, so when he talked about Dogecoin, the markets listened, leading to surging interest in the meme token. Any post talking about Dogecoin had an immediate impact on the price of Dogecoin.
The impact was so significant that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission had to investigate whether Musk’s comments on Dogecoin violated securities laws.
Liquidity
Dogecoin is a multi-billion dollar crypto asset, making it one of the most highly liquid cryptocurrencies in the market. Simply put, Dogecoin has significant trading volume, meaning you will not have any problems when entering or exiting the market. You can cash out your Dogecoin at any point in time without facing any liquidity issues. This makes Dogecoin a highly sought-after asset compared to projects that struggle with liquidity problems.
The Dogecoin vs Bitcoin Debate
As we mentioned earlier, compared to Bitcoin, Dogecoin is more suited as a global payments network. This is because of several factors, such as transaction speeds, fees, and scalability. Transactions on Bitcoin take around ten minutes to validate, while those on Dogecoin require only a minute. This makes Dogecoin ten times faster than Bitcoin when it comes to transactions.
Transaction fees on Dogecoin are also cheaper than those on Bitcoin. Additionally, Bitcoin processes only around 7-10 transactions per second, while Dogecoin can handle around 33 transactions per second. As we can see, Dogecoin performs better than Bitcoin in all of the above aspects.
However, there are blockchain networks that are far more efficient than Bitcoin and Dogecoin. For example, XRP handles 1500 transactions per second, while Solana processes 65,000 transactions per second.
Best Time to Buy Dogecoin
The best time to buy Dogecoin is during a market correction. At this time, the Dogecoin price will be considerably lower than its recent highs, with the potential for another price increase. However, trying to time the market is a challenging task. This is because Dogecoin, like other cryptocurrencies, experiences considerable volatility. Add to this the fact that Dogecoin’s price could rise or fall due to speculation or comments by an influential individual.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Dogecoin
You can purchase Dogecoin through crypto trading platforms that offer the cryptocurrency. However, there are several factors about the crypto trading platforms themselves that must be considered as well.
- Security – Security is one of the most crucial aspects to consider when selecting a platform to buy Dogecoin. The best platforms will offer several security measures, such as 2FA and offline storage of crypto assets.
- Interface – User interface is another important factor that you must consider when selecting a platform to purchase Dogecoin. The platform must offer an easy-to-use interface while offering the tools that beginners and advanced traders need.
- Reputation And Regulation – Always check the reputation of the platform you have selected to purchase Dogecoin. You must also ensure that the platform is regulated by the FCA.
Risks of Dogecoin Trading
As with all types of trading, buying and selling Dogecoin comes with several risks. The most significant risk is volatility. As with other cryptocurrencies, Dogecoin is known to be highly volatile and prone to sudden price increases and price drops. This could have a significant impact on investors who could make substantial losses. Secondly, because Dogecoin is so popular, external forces could attempt to manipulate its price, leading to losses.
One example of external forces impacting the price of Dogecoin is Elon Musk. Musk’s tweets and comments about Dogecoin have significantly impacted its price. Dogecoin has also been hit by several hacks, the most prominent being when hackers stole 21 million DOGE. While the Dogecoin blockchain was not impacted, the hackers managed to deface the Dogecoin website and redirected all payments to their wallets.
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Is Dogecoin a Legitimate Crypto
Yes. Dogecoin is a legitimate cryptocurrency and is hugely popular among traders. It is currently the 9th largest cryptocurrency, with a market cap of $18 billion. However, some traders may not find Dogecoin an ideal investment due to factors such as unlimited supply and would consider other investment options. However, Dogecoin has found considerable utility and is used to tip creators and is also being used for small transactions.
How to Trade Dogecoin in the UK
You can trade Dogecoin by opening an account on any trading platform that supports the cryptocurrency. We recommend creating an account on a platform such as eToro or Kucoin. Once you create your account, you can fund it and purchase DOGE. You can also view the Dogecoin price on the platform, regularly monitoring it to avoid major losses.
Choosing a Dogecoin trading platform such as eToro will give you access to a plethora of order types. However, you must ensure that you have a basic knowledge of order types before you invest. Once you place your trade order, the platform fulfills it instantly. Once your order has been successfully executed, the asset will be reflected in your account or Dogecoin wallet.
Using a self-custody wallet to store your Dogecoin and other crypto assets is highly recommended. A wallet gives you much greater control over your assets, meaning you don’t have to worry about the platform being hacked and losing your funds.
How to Buy Dogecoin in the UK – Detailed Steps
In this section, we walk you through the process of buying your meme coins on the eToro exchange.
Step 1: Create An Account
The first step when purchasing Dogecoin is creating an account. To create your account, go to the eToro website and click on “Create Account.” Once you do so, you will be prompted to enter your email ID. Enter your email ID, create a strong password, and confirm to create your account.
Step 2: Upload Documents
Once you have created your account, you must provide documentation and personal details to eToro. The documentation is mandatory to comply with KYC and AML requirements when creating an account. You must also provide additional details such as your name, phone number, email address, date of birth, and country of residence, along with a government-issued ID card and proof of address.
Step 3: Deposit Funds
Once your account has been verified, you can deposit funds. eToro supports several payment methods, such as debit cards, credit cards, bank wire transfers, and e-wallets.
Step 4: Search for Dogecoin
Once you have funded your account, you can begin trading. Since we are purchasing Dogecoin, search for DOGE using the platform’s “search” function.
Step 5: Buy Dogecoin
Once you have searched for Dogecoin in the list of available assets, you can place your order. Click the “Trade” button and enter the information required to initiate the trade. After entering the information, click on the “Open Trade” button to complete your purchase of Dogecoin.
Conclusion
That wraps up our guide on how to buy Dogecoin in the UK. Dogecoin is highly volatile and can surge or drop in value in a matter of hours. In this guide, we have gone over the history of Dogecoin, its uses, and the platforms on which you can buy the asset in the UK. We have also discussed whether it is a good investment and the factors that must be considered when purchasing the asset. Should Dogecoin be in your portfolio?
You should buy Dogecoin if it aligns with your investment strategy. It is an excellent option for beginners looking to enter crypto but don’t want to make a large investment. You can purchase Dogecoin for as little as $10 on eToro. Creating an account on eToro is straightforward and takes minutes to set up.
Key Points
- Dogecoin is a popular meme coin developed in 2013 by Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer.
- At its peak, Dogecoin hit a market cap of $88 billion, thanks to investor interest and an endorsement from prominent individuals such as Elon Musk.
- Dogecoin originally started out as a satirical take on the state of the crypto markets. However, the token ended up gaining staggering popularity shortly after launch.
- The underlying technology powering Dogecoin is based on Litecoin, using the same Proof-of-Work technology as its peer.
- Thanks to its popularity, Dogecoin has managed to amass a loyal following, and its community uses it to tip other content creators.
Buying Dogecoin In The UK - FAQs
Can You Buy Dogecoin Stock?
No, you can only invest in Dogecoin by purchasing DOGE tokens.
Does Elon Musk Own Dogecoin?
Elon Musk holds three major cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin.
Who Owns Dogecoin?
There is no single person or entity that owns Dogecoin. The meme coin is traded on crypto trading platforms. As such, Dogecoin is effectively owned by every single token holder.
How Can I Buy Dogecoin In The UK?
You need to sign up on a crypto trading platform like eToro to buy Dogecoin in the UK. After creating your account, deposit funds, search for Dogecoin, and enter the amount you wish to purchase. Confirm the trade; once completed, the assets will be reflected in your account.
How Much Money Do You Need To Buy Dogecoin?
If you purchase Dogecoin on eToro, you can do so with as little as $10. Before buying Dogecoin, you must remember that cryptocurrency investing has considerable risks. Only invest how much you can afford to lose.
Can You Day Trade Dogecoin?
Yes. Dogecoin is an extremely volatile asset, which means it is a good choice for day traders. However, while this can be profitable, volatility also comes with the risk of significant losses.