Who created Shiba Inu?

Shiba Inu (SHIB), launched in 2020 by an anonymous team, is a decentralized, community-driven cryptocurrency inspired by Dogecoin and built on Ethereum.

Jul 22, 2025 at 10:29 am

Origins of Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu cryptocurrency, commonly known as SHIB, was launched in August 2020 by an anonymous individual or group under the pseudonym Ryoshi. This creator chose to remain hidden, much like the mysterious identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin. Despite the anonymity, the project quickly gained traction, particularly due to its association with the Dogecoin (DOGE) meme culture and its community-driven development model.

The initial idea behind Shiba Inu was to create a decentralized, community-led cryptocurrency that could rival Dogecoin in popularity while introducing new features and utility through its ecosystem.

Why the Name Shiba Inu?

The name Shiba Inu comes from the Japanese dog breed that also inspired the Dogecoin logo. This deliberate choice was made to align with the meme coin movement that had already gained significant attention in the crypto space. The developers wanted to tap into the fun and lighthearted nature of cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin, while also building a more robust ecosystem around SHIB.

This includes the creation of Leash and Bone, two additional tokens within the Shiba Inu ecosystem. Leash was originally intended to be a rebase token pegged to Dogecoin, while Bone was designed to be the governance token for community voting on future developments.

How Was Shiba Inu Launched?

The launch of Shiba Inu followed a unique and strategic process. The anonymous team behind SHIB minted 1 quadrillion tokens at the start, a common practice among meme coins to allow for low price per token. To establish trust and decentralization, they sent half of the supply to Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s wallet.

This move was both symbolic and practical. It demonstrated the team’s commitment to decentralization, as they effectively removed half of the supply from circulation by sending it to Buterin. He later burned a large portion of those tokens, further reducing the circulating supply and increasing scarcity.

What Technologies Were Used?

Shiba Inu operates on the Ethereum blockchain, utilizing ERC-20 token standards. This allowed the developers to integrate easily with decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and wallets that support Ethereum-based tokens. Additionally, the team built a decentralized exchange called ShibaSwap, launched in July 2021, which allows users to trade, stake, and earn rewards using SHIB, Leash, and Bone.

ShibaSwap was a major step forward for the project, transforming SHIB from a simple meme coin into a multi-functional DeFi token. It enabled liquidity provision, yield farming, and governance, giving users more ways to interact with the ecosystem beyond simple speculation.

Who Controls the Project Now?

Despite the anonymity of Ryoshi, the Shiba Inu community has taken a central role in the ongoing development and governance of the project. The team behind the ecosystem includes several anonymous contributors who actively engage with the community through forums, social media, and developer updates.

The Bone token is expected to play a pivotal role in future governance, allowing token holders to vote on proposals and influence the direction of the project. This decentralized governance model ensures that no single entity controls the future of Shiba Inu, aligning with the core principles of blockchain technology.

Community and Marketing Strategy

From the beginning, the creators of Shiba Inu emphasized community involvement. They leveraged platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and Discord to build a loyal following known as the “ShibArmy.” This grassroots approach helped SHIB gain momentum and eventually led to listings on major exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken.

Marketing efforts were largely organic, with the community creating memes, artwork, and videos that spread the word about SHIB. The project also benefited from celebrity mentions and social media hype, which contributed to its rise in popularity.

Development and Future Plans

The Shiba Inu team has continuously worked on expanding the ecosystem. This includes plans for Shiba Inu NFTs, a metaverse project, and even a charity initiative called the Shiba Inu Rescue Association, which supports real-life Shiba Inu dogs.

These developments indicate that the creators and contributors aim to build a long-term ecosystem rather than just a short-lived meme coin. While the project began as a fun experiment, it has evolved into a serious DeFi player with a growing user base and utility.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total supply of Shiba Inu?

The total supply of SHIB is 1 quadrillion tokens. However, a significant portion was sent to Vitalik Buterin and later burned, reducing the circulating supply.

Is Shiba Inu a good investment?

As with any cryptocurrency, investing in SHIB carries high risk due to volatility. Its value is largely driven by community sentiment and market speculation.

Can I stake Shiba Inu tokens?

Yes, SHIB holders can stake their tokens on ShibaSwap to earn rewards or provide liquidity to earn yield.

How do I buy Shiba Inu?

You can purchase SHIB on major exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken, or through decentralized exchanges like ShibaSwap.