Crypto fund issuer Valour has launched the first-ever exchange-traded product (ETP) for Dogecoin (DOGE), the world’s largest memecoin by market capitalization. The announcement, made by Valour’s parent company DeFi Technologies, highlights the growing institutional interest in memecoins as a key segment of the crypto market.
Key Features of the Valour DOGE ETP
The Valour DOGE ETP, trading on Sweden’s Spotlight Stock Market, allows retail and institutional investors to gain regulated exposure to Dogecoin. The ETP provides an opportunity for investors to access the volatile but increasingly popular memecoin sector in a structured financial product.
Johanna Belitz, Valour’s Head of Nordics, explained the timing behind the launch:
“In light of the recent [United States] presidential election results and the subsequent surge in demand for Dogecoin, bolstered by influential figures like Elon Musk, we saw this as the perfect time to bring a DOGE ETP to market.”
Dogecoin's Growing Market Influence
Initially launched in 2013 as a satirical take on Bitcoin, Dogecoin has since grown into a $55 billion market-cap asset, according to CoinMarketCap. The memecoin operates on its own proof-of-work (PoW) blockchain, making transactions less computationally intensive than Bitcoin but without a cap on total supply.
Dogecoin is widely used for micropayments and tipping but lacks support for smart contracts. Despite its origins as a joke, DOGE has become a mainstay of the crypto industry, with a significant role in the surge of blockchain-based financial products.
Memecoins Lead 2024 Market Growth
The launch of the DOGE ETP comes as the memecoin market experiences unprecedented growth in 2024. Platforms like Pump.fun have driven activity, particularly on the Solana blockchain. This follows the broader crypto market’s post-election rally, attributed to Donald Trump’s pro-crypto presidency.
While Dogecoin is dominating headlines, other memecoins have gained traction, reflecting a trend that industry leaders, including Binance’s former CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, have urged the community to reexamine. On Nov. 26, CZ called for a shift in focus from memecoins to building “real” blockchain applications.
Legal Developments and Market Momentum
DOGE’s recent momentum is also tied to favorable legal developments. On Nov. 15, a 2022 class-action lawsuit accusing Elon Musk of manipulating Dogecoin prices was withdrawn, further stabilizing sentiment around the token.
Valour's Expanding Crypto ETP Lineup
Valour has been at the forefront of crypto ETP innovation, managing over $600 million in assets through DeFi Technologies. The company has previously launched an ETP for NEAR Protocol’s native token, trading alongside the DOGE ETP on Sweden’s Spotlight Stock Market.
What’s Next for Dogecoin?
As memecoins transition into mainstream financial products, Valour’s DOGE ETP marks a significant milestone in institutional adoption. Analysts predict that structured investments like these could attract a new wave of retail and institutional investors, further solidifying Dogecoin’s position in the crypto ecosystem, according to Cointelegraph.
