Shiba Inu (SHIB) is a cryptocurrency born from an internet meme, running on the Ethereum blockchain since its launch in 2020. As an ERC-20 token, it quickly gained traction, attracting over 1.5 million investors worldwide within just a few years.
Often referred to as the “Dogecoin killer,” SHIB made waves early on by challenging Dogecoin, even capturing the attention of high-profile figures like Elon Musk, who famously influenced the meme-crypto space. Unlike Dogecoin, which operates on its own blockchain, Shiba Inu leverages Ethereum’s ecosystem, allowing it to integrate with decentralized apps and smart contracts.
Beyond its popularity, Shiba Inu has evolved with features like ShibaSwap, its decentralized exchange, and the SHIB ecosystem, which includes tokens like LEASH and BONE. Now that you’re familiar with its foundation, let’s uncover 3 lesser-known facts about Shiba Inu that might surprise you.
3 Surprising Facts About the Shiba Inu (SHIB) Cryptocurrency

1. Founder Ryoshi has Disappeared
The mysterious and anonymous founder of Shiba Inu, known as Ryoshi, was active on X (formerly Twitter) until May 2022. However, Ryoshi suddenly deleted all of his tweets and blog posts before disappearing without a trace. This move appeared to be intentional, as he left the future of SHIB entirely in the hands of its community, aligning with the project’s decentralized ethos.
To this day, Ryoshi’s true identity remains unknown, sparking ongoing speculation and curiosity among Shiba Inu investors. Back when SHIB was gaining traction, some speculated that Ryoshi might be Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO and prominent crypto enthusiast, though no concrete evidence ever supported this claim. The mystery of Ryoshi continues to intrigue the crypto world, adding an extra layer of enigma to Shiba Inu’s story.
2. SHIB Founders: No Tokens Reserved for Themselves
Unlike many cryptocurrencies where the founders typically reserve a portion of tokens for themselves, the creators of Shiba Inu (SHIB) took a different approach. The SHIB team decided not to keep any tokens for themselves at launch. Instead, all SHIB tokens were put into circulation, with 50% of the total supply being sent directly as a “gift” to Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin.
Vitalik later made headlines by donating a significant portion of the SHIB tokens to various charitable causes and burning (destroying) a substantial amount of the remaining tokens to reduce the total supply. Furthermore, the founder of Shiba Inu, known pseudonymously as Ryoshi, along with the lead developer Shytoshi Kusama and other core team members, did not reserve any SHIB tokens for themselves at launch.
If they wanted to acquire SHIB, they had to purchase it just like any other investor, using their own funds. This unique approach to token distribution aimed to reinforce the project’s decentralized ethos and community-driven focus.
3. LEASH Started as a Rebase Token
Initially, LEASH was designed to function as a rebase token, similar to an algorithmic stablecoin. This meant its supply would automatically adjust based on a pre-determined algorithm to help maintain a stable price, as is common with algorithmic stablecoins.
However, the creators of LEASH decided to abandon this model early in its development and instead pivoted to a fixed-supply token. This means LEASH now operates with a set maximum supply, functioning more like a traditional cryptocurrency. The decision to shift away from the rebase model was made quickly after the project’s inception, which is why many people remain unaware of this significant change within the Shiba Inu ecosystem.
Today, LEASH plays a unique role within the ecosystem, often associated with exclusive perks, rewards, and access for its holders, further distinguishing it from its original purpose.
Also Read: Will XRP Surge to $3? Here’s What Could Happen Next
Disclaimer
The information in this article should not be considered financial advice, and the OvenAdd platform is intended only to provide educational and general information. Please conduct your own research and consult a financial advisor before making any investment choices.