What is PUPS Coin? The First Culture Coin on Bitcoin - A Comprehensive Guide

PUPS Coin has emerged as a unique and innovative project within the world of cryptocurrencies. Positioned as the first culture coin on Bitcoin, PUPS combines meme culture and community-driven governance with the evolving technical infrastructure of Bitcoin. Created in 2023, it has already made a significant impact in the Web3 space, offering a fresh perspective on how blockchain and meme coins can merge.

In this article, we’ll explore PUPS Coin—from its origins to its tokenomics, governance through NFTs, and the innovative multi-chain architecture behind it. We'll also take a closer look at its place in Bitcoin's broader meme coin landscape and what makes this token stand out in the ever-changing world of crypto.

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Origins and Community Foundations of PUPS Coin

The story of PUPS Coin begins in the Bitcoin Puppets NFT community, a group known for promoting positivity through whimsical art and memes. Unlike most cryptocurrencies developed by centralized teams, PUPS Coin was launched organically by community members. This gives it a unique grassroots appeal, with its mission centered on creating cultural expression within the Bitcoin ecosystem.

The mascot of PUPS—an adorable cartoon monkey wearing a beanie—perfectly embodies the fun and lighthearted nature of this project. The early supporters of PUPS believed in using humor and memes to spread positivity across the internet, aligning with the broader meme coin movement that started with coins like Dogecoin.

Initially deployed as a BRC-20 token on the Bitcoin network in April 2023, PUPS Coin was rooted in the Bitcoin Puppets Ordinals collection, which allowed for the creation of NFTs with distinctive characteristics. This set the stage for PUPS to evolve and expand, quickly gaining traction within the community.

From BRC-20 to Runes: Technical Evolution of PUPS Coin

BRC-20: The Initial Launchpad

BRC-20, a token standard that enabled fungible assets on the Bitcoin blockchain through Ordinals inscriptions, was the initial base for PUPS Coin. This method, however, presented certain limitations like transaction inefficiency and "junk UTXOs", which are unusable data fragments. Despite these drawbacks, PUPS Coin flourished, reaching a market cap of $516 million in July 2024.

However, as PUPS Coin scaled up, the limitations of BRC-20 became apparent. The next step for PUPS was to migrate to a more efficient protocol.

Migration to Runes: Unlocking New Potential

In May 2024, PUPS Coin transitioned to the Runes protocol, developed by Casey Rodarmor, the creator of Bitcoin Ordinals. The migration was aimed at addressing key scalability issues while leveraging Bitcoin’s native UTXO model. This shift allowed PUPS Coin to benefit from:

• Faster Transactions: Minimizing transaction delays for a smoother user experience.
• Better Efficiency: Reduced blockchain bloat through efficient transaction processing.
• Compatibility with Lightning Network: Enabling micropayments and quicker interactions.

The move to Runes was a defining moment for PUPS Coin, positioning it as a more viable solution for cross-chain interactions and Bitcoin scalability. The protocol's shift included a special distribution mechanism where 77% of PUPS supply stayed on BRC-20, while 23% migrated to Rune Puppets, Ordinals-based NFTs.

PUPS Coin Tokenomics and Fair Launch Mechanics

Supply and Distribution

PUPS Coin has a total supply of 1,000,000,000 tokens, with approximately 400 million of these in circulation as of May 2025. The fair launch model used for its distribution means there were no pre-sales, team allocations, or venture capital investments involved in its creation. This ensures the PUPS Coin ecosystem is built on a decentralized ethos, and participants had an equal opportunity to get involved early on.

Market Trends and Token Volatility

As of May 2025, PUPS Coin trades between $0.0101 and $0.0106 USD, with a market cap hovering around $33.86 million. After peaking at $3.87 in July 2024, PUPS Coin experienced a 99% decline in its price, reflecting the speculative nature of the market.

Despite this price volatility, PUPS Coin still boasts solid trading volumes, particularly on decentralized exchanges like Meteora and Orca, with around $292,000 in daily trading volume. This highlights the token’s continued appeal within the meme coin space, though its value heavily relies on community engagement and cultural relevance.

Role of NFTs in PUPS Coin Governance

One of the most interesting aspects of PUPS Coin is how NFTs are integrated into its governance model. The Rune Puppets NFTs—created as part of the migration to the Runes protocol—serve as governance tools within the PUPS Coin ecosystem. Holders of these NFTs are granted voting rights and can participate in decision-making processes regarding the future of the PUPS Coin project.

This governance model not only enhances the decentralized nature of PUPS Coin but also encourages active community participation. By holding Rune Puppets NFTs, users have a say in things like the platform’s fee structures, future collaborations, and other key decisions impacting the ecosystem.

In this way, PUPS Coin combines the power of decentralized finance (DeFi) with NFTs, creating an interesting blend of cultural and financial engagement for the community.

Buying and Staking PUPS Coin

How to Buy PUPS Coin

To buy PUPS Coin, users can visit exchanges like Bitrue, which offer a secure platform for PUPS Coin trading. Once on the platform, users can create an account, deposit funds, and begin buying PUPS Coin. As the token remains relatively new, decentralized exchanges (DEX) like Meteora and Orca are the most common venues for purchasing PUPS Coin.

Staking PUPS Coin

Staking PUPS Coin is a way to earn passive rewards while contributing to the security and decentralized governance of the network. By staking PUPS, holders can earn additional tokens as rewards and participate in the governance process via Rune Puppets NFTs. This staking mechanism encourages long-term engagement from users who want to earn rewards while helping maintain the integrity of the PUPS Coin network.

Conclusion

PUPS Coin has proven to be an exciting experiment in merging Bitcoin’s technical evolution with internet meme culture. With its unique tokenomics, community-driven governance, and cross-chain functionality, PUPS Coin is carving out its own niche within the broader crypto landscape. The project’s ability to leverage NFTs for governance, combined with its BRC-20 to Runes migration, positions it as a pioneering project that could inspire similar initiatives in the future.

While PUPS Coin still faces challenges like market volatility and lack of utility, its focus on community engagement and decentralization gives it a distinct advantage in the growing Bitcoin culture coin sector. Whether you're a meme lover, a crypto enthusiast, or someone looking to be part of a decentralized community, PUPS Coin offers a unique and fun way to engage with the Bitcoin ecosystem.

FAQ

What is PUPS Coin?

PUPS Coin is a community-driven culture coin on Bitcoin’s blockchain, offering NFT governance, multi-chain interoperability, and meme-driven engagement.

How does PUPS Coin's governance work?

PUPS Coin uses Rune Puppets NFTs for governance, allowing holders to vote on key decisions impacting the project’s future.

How can I buy and stake PUPS Coin?

You can buy PUPS Coin on decentralized exchanges like Bitrue, and stake it to earn rewards and participate in governance through NFTs.