It all started with a simple question on X (formerly Twitter). Around midnight Beijing time on February 13th, user Vee (@theveeman) asked CZ, who's been quite active on social media lately, a casual question in a tweet thread: "CZ, do you have a pet dog?"
CZ, known for his engagement with the crypto community, replied, "Yes, not a Shiba Inu, but a Belgian Malinois."
Image: A screenshot of CZ's tweet where he asks about the mechanism behind meme coins related to his dog.
The Dog Question That Unleashed a Meme Coin Frenzy
This seemingly innocent answer ignited a flurry of responses. Hundreds of crypto enthusiasts flooded the comments, eager to know more. "What's your dog's name?" they asked. "Tell us the name and show us pictures!" The excitement was palpable. Many playfully mentioned their love for dogs, some even sharing past experiences volunteering at animal shelters, all while subtly (or not so subtly) pushing for details about CZ's canine companion.
Of course, the underlying motive was clear to everyone in the crypto space, especially CZ himself: meme coins. These folks weren't just dog lovers; they were meme coin opportunists ready to pounce on the next big thing.
CZ's Meme Coin "Newbie" Moment
CZ, seemingly amused and perhaps genuinely curious, followed up with another tweet. He played the role of a "meme coin newbie," asking, "An honest noob question. How does this work? I share my dog's name and photo, and then people create memecoins? How do you know which one is 'official'? Or does that not matter? (I see many asking for name and photo)."
Image: Screenshot of CZ's tweet expressing curiosity about how sharing his dog's name could lead to meme coin creation.
Crypto Community Explains the Meme Magic
The replies poured in, with various crypto influencers and community members explaining the meme coin phenomenon to CZ. They described the somewhat chaotic yet organic process where multiple meme coins might emerge with the same theme, but eventually, community consensus would rally around one or a few, propelling them to greater prominence – the "official" meme, in a way.
After this enlightening Twitter exchange, CZ posted another update, showing he was processing this new information.
To Dog Pic or Not to Dog Pic? CZ Considers "Big Decision"
"Answers received," CZ tweeted. "(Memecoin thing) is an interesting way to operate. I will take my usual day or so to think through this big decision. Privacy vs the cause. Hmm. May even interact with a few memecoins on BNB Chain." This last sentence, hinting at potential engagement with dog-themed meme coins on the BNB Chain, sent ripples of excitement through the meme coin community. Could CZ actually be considering endorsing or interacting with these coins?
The speculation intensified. One commenter jokingly suggested, "Just post a random dog photo with a random name, should have the same effect." But CZ, known for his integrity, quickly shut down that idea: "No, that would be lying. If do, do properly. Just a dog photo and name only."
The Great Dog Name Hunt Begins
While CZ pondered his "big decision," the crypto sleuths were already on the case. The story wasn't over; it was just getting started. Eagle-eyed netizens turned into digital detectives, digging through years of online information to unearth clues about CZ's dog. The search for the "official" dog name was on!
The internet buzzed with speculation. Some claimed the dog's name was Perry, others insisted it was Bean, Maverick, or even Cleo. A variety of dog-themed meme coins inevitably began to surface, riding the wave of speculation and anticipation.
Image: A collage of various dog-themed meme coins that emerged following the CZ dog name discussion.
Deep Dive into Binance's Past for Clues
The digital archaeologists went even deeper, unearthing a Binance official account post from 2020. This post showcased the pets of various Binance employees, listing their names. The community speculated that CZ's dog's name might be hidden amongst them.
Image: A screenshot of an old Binance tweet from 2020 featuring the names of employees' pets, fueling speculation about CZ's dog's name.
Adding to the frenzy, someone even shared a picture of a dog, clad in Binance gear, playfully suggesting (or perhaps hinting) that this was CZ's pet.
Image: A picture of a dog wearing Binance merchandise, circulating online as potentially CZ's dog.
International Dog Name Theories Emerge
The dog name mystery even crossed language barriers. A foreign crypto influencer, using translation software, dug up old Chinese articles, attempting to prove that CZ had another dog, a Springer Spaniel named Sadie.
Image: Screenshot of a tweet from a foreign crypto influencer suggesting CZ has a Springer Spaniel named Sadie, based on translated articles.
Bounty for Dog Name Info Reaches Crazy Levels
The search for CZ's dog's name took a truly wild turn when someone offered a bounty of $100,000 - $200,000 for information! Yes, you read that right. People were willing to pay serious money to uncover the name of CZ's dog, all in the name of meme coin mania.
Image: A social media post announcing a bounty of $100,000 to $200,000 for information leading to the discovery of CZ's dog's name.
And because the internet never disappoints, someone even suggested reaching out to CZ's former cellmates, joking that they must have discussed everything during those four months and might know the coveted dog name!
Image: A humorous social media comment suggesting asking CZ's former cellmates for information about his dog's name.
As of now, the official name of CZ's Belgian Malinois remains a mystery. But one thing is certain: the crypto community's fascination with meme coins, combined with a simple question about a pet dog, has created a truly unforgettable and slightly absurd moment in crypto history. Will CZ reveal the name? Will a dominant dog-themed meme coin emerge from this chaos? The crypto world waits with bated breath.