Tesla, the electric car giant led by billionaire Elon Musk, has decided to drop Bitcoin as a payment option. However, in a twist that left many in the crypto scene puzzled, the company has retained Dogecoin (DOGE) in its list of accepted digital currencies.
Bye-Bye Bitcoin, Hello Dogecoin
Following months of speculation about whether or not Tesla would continue to support Bitcoin transactions, the company made the official announcement: Bitcoin is out. However, Dogecoin, the meme-based cryptocurrency that has seen a meteoric rise in popularity and value in recent years, is still in. This decision maintains Tesla’s foothold in the world of cryptocurrencies, albeit with a rather unexpected choice of ally.
At present, Tesla has deleted "bitcoin" in the source code of its payment page, but still retains "dogecoin". pic.twitter.com/BQrRtuTN8Z
Why Did Tesla Drop Bitcoin?
The reasons behind Tesla’s decision to drop Bitcoin are yet to be officially disclosed. Previously, the company suspended Bitcoin payments due to environmental concerns regarding the energy-intensive process of Bitcoin mining. Whether these same concerns are the driving force behind the company’s decision to completely remove Bitcoin as a payment option remains uncertain.
Dogecoin’s Growing Credibility
Meanwhile, Dogecoin continues to enjoy the spotlight. Tesla’s decision to keep Dogecoin as a payment option boosts the credibility of this cryptocurrency, suggesting it might not be as much of a joke as some had initially thought. Could Tesla’s endorsement be the push that propels Dogecoin to even greater heights? Time will tell.