In this article, I will explore Bizarre Alternatives to Bitcoin That Actually Exist: cryptocurrencies from memes, parodies, fast food, and even from religious inspiration.
While Bitcoin still leads in market capitalization, these odd coins showcase the wildly inventive and, at times, ridiculous world of blockchain technology.
It’s the same story from Dogecoin to Jesus Coin, where often the most illogical provides the most entertaining of tales.
Key Point & Bizarre Alternatives to Bitcoin That Actually Exist
| Cryptocurrency | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Dogecoin (DOGE) | Started as a meme in 2013 with a Shiba Inu dog mascot, now one of the most traded cryptos. |
| Garlicoin (GRLC) | Launched from a Reddit meme, themed around garlic bread with a fun community focus. |
| Useless Ethereum Token (UET) | A parody ICO in 2017 that admitted it had zero purpose yet still attracted buyers. |
| Coinye | Kanye West–themed coin launched in 2014 but shut down after legal action from the rapper. |
| PotCoin (POT) | Created for cannabis industry transactions in legal marijuana markets. |
| WhopperCoin | Burger King Russia’s blockchain-based loyalty points redeemable for burgers. |
| TrumpCoin | Politically themed coin created to support Donald Trump and his policies. |
| Mooncoin | Total supply based on the distance from Earth to the Moon in millimeters. |
| Jesus Coin | A satirical cryptocurrency claiming to “forgive sins” via blockchain. |
| BitClout (now DeSo) | A social media–based blockchain for buying and selling “creator coins.” |
1. Dogecoin (DOGE)
DOGE was introduced as a joke to the cryptocurrency phenomenon by Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer in December 2013, utilizing the Shiba Inu meme “Doge” as its flagship. It is based on Litecoin’s code and supports fast transaction confirmations and low fees.
Dogecoin was originally designed as a tipping currency for online content creators, but steadily transformed into a major traded asset and is a part of a supportive community.
It became one of the Bizarre Alternatives to Bitcoin That Actually Exist when it gained celebrity endorsements and funding for NASCAR sponsorships and charity work.
Its comedic origins and community support have sustained Dogecoin’s rise to multi-billion dollar market value and illustrates the wonder of crypto community engagement and internet meme culture.
Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Launch Year: 2013
- Founders: Billy Markus & Jackson Palmer
- Origin: Meme-based coin featuring the Shiba Inu “Doge”
- Blockchain: Forked from Litecoin; uses Scrypt PoW
- Supply: Unlimited (inflationary)
- Use Case: Tipping, microtransactions, meme investing
- Market Cap: ~$36B
2. Garlicoin (GRLC)
Garlicoin came into existence in January 2018 after a Reddit post gained fame for pledging to make a cryptocurrency centered around garlic bread. It is community-developed and employs a modified proof-of-work algorithm for mining that is ASIC-resistant, allowing casual miners to participate.
Garlicoin is known for its friendly and humorous culture, focusing on community fun rather than serious investment of time and money. It claimed its spot in the list of Bizarre Alternatives to Bitcoin That Actually Exist thanks to its absurd food theme, however it operates fully as a cryptocurrency with relatively quick transaction times.
While its market influence is dwarfed in comparison to the primary coins, Garlicoin serves to illustrate the extent to which memes and shared internet culture can be transformed into active blockchain projects with dedicated supporters.
Garlicoin (GRLC)
- Launch Year: 2018
- Origin: Reddit meme about garlic bread
- Blockchain: Custom PoW, ASIC-resistant
- Block Time: 40 seconds
- Max Supply: 69 million GRLC
- Use Case: Fast, cheap transactions; meme community
- Market Cap: ~$395K
3. Useless Ethereum Token (UET)
A response to the ICO market was unleashed with the release of Useless Ethereum Token in 2017. With complete transparency, the project’s creator stated on the website that there was no purpose of the token, not even a whitepaper, and no future utility—encouraging users to “give money for nothing.”
UET was hosted on the Ethereum blockchain, and in a twist to the story, it garnered thousands of dollars in sponsorship despite the blatant warnings. This made it one of the Bizarre Alternatives to Bitcoin That Actually Exist, proving that outrage and irony could still lead to speculation in demand.
UET was simultaneously a critique and a comic stunt of the investor’s behavior in the ICO craze. Even though it holds no functional value today, UET remains a popular example of the rampant, experimental crypto culture.
Useless Ethereum Token (UET)
- Launch Year: 2017
- Creator: Anonymous satirist
- Blockchain: Ethereum (ERC-20)
- Purpose: Explicitly “useless” to mock ICO hype
- Supply: ~3.96 million UET
- Use Case: None—pure satire
- Market Cap: ~$11K
4. Coinye
Coinye, once referred to as “Coinye West,” came out in January 2014 as a celebrity-themed cryptocurrency based on the rapper Kanye West. Utilizing a cartoon version of West in sunglasses, it attempted to merge modern celebrity culture with blockchain technology.
However, Kanye’s legal representatives issued a cease and desist order almost instantly, forcing the developers to drop any direct references to him. Regardless of the rebrand, it was still one of the Bizarre Alternatives to Bitcoin That Actually Exist because of its outrageous celebrity association and legal turmoil.
In theory, Coinye functioned as a proof of work altcoin in the same fashion as Litecoin, but it received far too much legal heat to be able to succeed.
The project soon shut down, but it left behind a story about the perils of intellectual property and branding, the risks of branding in the world of cryptocurrency innovation, and the ever-shifting world of fame.
Coinye
- Launch Year: 2014
- Theme: Kanye West parody
- Blockchain: Scrypt-based PoW
- Max Supply: 133 billion COINYE
- Legal Trouble: Sued by Kanye West; rebranded with “gay fish” mascot
- Status: Defunct
5. PotCoin (POT)
PotCoin came into existence in January 2014 as an example of a cryptocurrency tailored exclusively for the legal cannabis market. It became possible for marijuana businesses to circumvent banking crippled due to PotCoin’s ability to facilitate secure, fast, and covert interactions between customers and dispensaries.
It gained a spot in the list of Bizarre Alternatives to Bitcoin That Actually Exist due to its specific niche and cultural cannabis branding. PotCoin has its own blockchain system, and its global nodes ensure minimal transaction costs.
Hosting Dennis Rodman’s trip to North Korea in 2017 helped him gain a lot of publicity. Even though PotCoin’s use is still limited to cannabis-friendly locales, his story illustrates the flexibility of cryptocurrency in serving niche markets that grapple with complicated legal and fiscal hurdles.
PotCoin (POT)
- Launch Year: 2014
- Purpose: Serve cannabis industry payments
- Blockchain: Migrated to Solana
- Max Supply: 420 million POT
- Use Case: Cannabis transactions, High Rollers Club perks
- Market Cap: ~$935K
6. WhopperCoin
Burger King Russia launched WhopperCoin in August 2017 as a blockchain-based customer loyalty program. Customers could earn 1 WhopperCoin for each ruble spent on Whoppers, which could then be redeemed or traded for Whoppers.
It was one of the Bizarre Alternatives to Bitcoin That Actually Exist where fast food advertising met cryptocurrency. It gamified loyalty programs while leveraging rampant cryptocurrency speculation.
Despite capturing media attention from all corners of the world, WhopperCoin was discontinued within a year.
It stands as a remarkable example of the feeble attempts of big brands to integrate blockchain technology, more for the sake of publicity than as a tool for practical implementation.
WhopperCoin
- Launch Year: 2017
- Issuer: Burger King Russia
- Blockchain: Waves platform
- Supply: 1 billion WPC
- Use Case: Loyalty rewards for Whopper purchases
- Trading Status: Defunct; zero volume since 2019
7. TrumpCoin
Launched in February 2016, TrumpCoin is a cryptocurrency themed around former U.S. President Donald Trump and his political agenda. Supported by his followers and operating under its separate blockchain, TrumpCoin facilitates fast, secure, and anonymous transactions.
Its political branding allows it to compete in the crypto market, and it is considered one of the Bizarre Alternatives to Bitcoin That Actually Exist.
Trump supporters have used the cryptocurrency for donations, purchasing merchandise, and fundraising. Its promotional materials have leaned heavily on patriotism and nationalistic imagery.
Although it has been ridiculed and viewed with skepticism from outside the supporter base, TrumpCoin is a great example of the extent to which cryptocurrencies can be tailored to suit particular ideological perspectives, reflecting culture as much as, if not more than, ideology.
TrumpCoin
- Launch Year: 2016 (original), 2024 (Official Trump)
- Theme: Political tribute to Donald Trump
- Blockchain: Solana (Official Trump)
- Max Supply: 1 billion TRUMP
- Use Case: Meme investing, patriotic branding
- Market Cap: ~$1.73B
8. Mooncoin
Mooncoin had an extravagant concept in 2013 for its launch. It planned to reach a maximum supply as a distance from earth to moon in distance measured in millimeters, 384 billion to be exact. It serves as an educational tool and offers fast transactions and low fees.
It was one of the ‘Bizarre Alternatives to Bitcoin That Actually Exist’ because of it’s space themed nature and it’s MoonWord feature which lets users record messages on the blockchain.
It’s popularity has indeed waned over the years, Mooncoin still has a niche community. It serves as an example of how creators of cryptocurrency zealously add quirks that appeal to them, in this case, astronomy, into their designs.
Mooncoin
- Launch Year: 2014
- Blockchain: Scrypt-based PoW
- Max Supply: ~230 billion MOON
- Use Case: Microtransactions, educational platforms
- Market Cap: ~$257K
9. Jesus Coin
Jesus Coin was introduced in 2017 as a parody project that “forgave sins” through blockchain technology. Its white paper claimed that Christianity could be digitized and religious salvation was available in the crypto market.
This project was one of the Bizarre Alternatives to Bitcoin That Actually Exist and garnered a significant amount of attention during the ICO craze for its blatant absurdity.
It was obviously a parody, but it highlighted a critique of the investment culture at the time that was willing to support any blockchain concept if it was imaginatively pitched.
Jesus Coin had no religious, theological, or material value, yet it was effective in igniting discourse on marketing ethics and the scope of satire in the crypto space. It remains a notorious case of the clash and blend of humor and provocation infused with blockchain experimentation.
Jesus Coin
- Launch Year: 2023 (relaunch)
- Blockchain: Ethereum (ERC-20)
- Max Supply: 777 trillion JESUS
- Use Case: Charitable dApps, decentralized governance
- Market Cap: ~$5.9M
10. DeSo (formerly known as BitClout)
Launched in March 2021, BitClout was a social media platform built on blockchain technology that allowed users to buy and sell “creator coins” associated with one’s reputation. The value of these coins fluctuated with public interest and social media activity.
While many decried BitClout for its exploitative profile usage, it was midway through its launch that BitClout gained recognition as one of the Bizarre Alternatives to Bitcoin That Actually Exist.
BitClout was built on its own blockchain and later rebranded to DeSo (Decentralized Social) in order to diversify into a broader range of social blockchain applications.
While many criticized its lack of social ethics and privacy, others deemed its technological innovations as praiseworthy.
Even now, BitClout/DeSo continues to be a one-of-a-kind experiment in the fusion of cryptocurrency with the influencer economy, illustrating the profound—and at its worst, disruptive—impact blockchain technology can have on social media economics.
BitClout (now DeSo)
- Launch Year: 2021
- Founder: Nader Al-Naji (“Diamondhands”)
- Blockchain: DeSo (custom layer-1 for social apps)
- Use Case: Creator coins, decentralized social media
- Controversy: Preloaded 15K celebrity profiles without consent
- Funding: Raised $200M
Conclusion
The advent of Bitcoin set the stage for decentralized finance, but its popularity also triggered a spate of meme-driven and culturally infused cryptocurrencies which make little sense from a traditional standpoint.
These the bizarre and absurd—The ironic rise of Dogecoin, the carb-loaded community of Garlicoin, and, more broadly, the entire crypto meme ecosystem.
Some like PotCoin and Bit Clout attempted to solve some niche issues or disrupt some industries, and others like UET and Jesus Coin embraced absurdity to satirize the irrational speculation and hyperbole of crypto.
These cryptocurrencies might be weird, and the concepts may seem ridiculous, but a surprising number have gained traction. Ultimately, their value came from the narrative surrounding them.
Regardless of whether these cryptocurrencies are dead, or living on other blockchains, or thriving, the core concept remains the same: the blockchain is not a distributed ledger, it can become a testing ground for new concepts and parodies.
