Sometimes a feature is created to solve a specific problem and, during development, opens up a path that seemed closed.

That is what happened to us with Dogecoin Wallet, the plugin created to let users of SimosNap and Monoverse send Dogecoin tips to channels and other users. A small contribution to support a community, thank someone, or show appreciation.

During development, we realized that the same integration could help us revive a project we had set aside: an AI-powered meme generator, usable by paying for each individual generation, with no subscriptions.

From MyDoge to DogeDrop

MyDoge has been with us for several years, helping us make Dogecoin easier to use in our community. We consider it an excellent tool, and its contribution to this journey deserves our thanks.

After the extension was removed from the Chrome Web Store, however, we decided to rethink our integration. We wanted to move beyond relying on an extension and allow wallet connection through a smartphone or tablet browser as well. The store removal is reported by Chrome-Stats.

In the meantime, MyDoge has also broadened its scope. After features dedicated to Doginals and tokens, version v3 now focuses on a multichain experience, apps, and integration with the DogeOS ecosystem. Doginals and DRC-20 have instead been discontinued in the new version, as explained in the official FAQ.

It is an ambitious path, designed to meet needs broader than ours. What we needed most was a simple way to connect a self-custodial wallet and send a tip, even for people approaching Dogecoin for the first time.

So we chose the self-hosted version of DogeDrop, hosting it on our own infrastructure and developing the integration based on Paulo Vidal’s original open-source project.

The Wallet Remains Yours

With DogeDrop, the connection happens through the web, without requiring a dedicated extension. This improves accessibility across different compatible browsers and devices.

The wallet is self custodial: the keys are generated and stored locally in the browser. We host the application, while control of the funds remains with the user.

Connecting the wallet shares the public address with the platform. Every transfer still requires approval: connecting does not authorize the site to spend your DOGE freely.

For tipping, the action is simple: choose the user or channel, set the amount, and confirm from the wallet.

Control of the keys also comes with a responsibility: keeping the recovery phrase safe. If you lose both access to the wallet and the backup, we cannot recover the funds for you. Details are available on our wallet page.

MetalDoge: An Option We Are Keeping Disabled for Now

DogeDrop also includes support for DogecoinVM, part of the MetalDoge ecosystem: a network separate from Dogecoin, connected through a bridge and designed to enable faster transfers. The project is currently presented as an alpha version on the MetalDoge website.

In our integration, we chose to keep this feature disabled.

Many of our users are creating the first crypto wallet of their lives. They already need to become familiar with addresses, backups, fees, and irreversible transactions. Adding a second network, transferring funds through a bridge, and using infrastructure that is still in an early stage would make the experience more complex.

We are following the development of MetalDoge with interest. Before offering it to our community, however, we want a level of maturity and user experience that is also suitable for people starting from zero.

The Meme Generator We Had Left in the Drawer

For some time, we had wanted to build an AI meme generator: you write an idea and get an image to share.

The obstacle was economic. Every generation made through APIs has a cost, and offering it for free to everyone would have meant covering an expense that grows with the number of requests.

We are not a big tech company. We cannot fund unlimited generations for anyone without a model that allows us to cover the costs. That is why we had put the project aside.

While working on Dogecoin Wallet, we saw a possible solution: allowing each user to pay for their own generation at the moment they request it.

Our APIs, Your Meme, One Request at a Time

The flow we want to offer is straightforward:

  1. Write the idea for the meme.
  2. View the cost of the generation.
  3. Authorize the payment from the wallet.
  4. The service uses our APIs and returns the result.

A few cents for each generation, with no need for subscriptions. The exact price will depend on the model used and the actual service costs, and it will be shown before proceeding.

If you want to create a meme every now and then, you can do it without subscribing to a monthly plan. For us, each request helps cover the cost needed to process it.

This is the step that allows us to get back to work on the idea: a pay-per-use service, with spending tied to actual usage.

Why Dogecoin for Payments of Just a Few Cents?

When the price of an operation is only a few cents, the cost of collecting the payment also becomes crucial. A fee with a fixed component can absorb a significant part of the amount or even exceed it.

Dogecoin offers direct transfers and generally low network fees. It also has a long tradition of being used for tips and small contributions, which is consistent with what we want to offer the community. The official Dogecoin documentation describes these features.

With a wallet already connected, the user can approve the request without entering card details every time.

Of course, the overall cost must be evaluated: there are network fees and possible costs for buying or converting DOGE. The exchange rate fluctuates, so the amount in Dogecoin and its indicative equivalent in euros must be clear before approval.

The immediacy also needs to be explained properly. The request and authorization can be quick, while confirmation on the blockchain usually requires a wait measured in minutes. The service will need to show the payment status and indicate when generation starts.

A Project Built Thanks to Open Source

Dogecoin Wallet was created for tipping channels and users. The meme generator is an additional possibility that emerged while we were building that integration.

This journey was also made possible thanks to the work of other developers. MyDoge was with us for years; DogeDrop gave us an open foundation to host and adapt to our needs; MetalDoge represents an experimental direction that we will continue to follow.

We want to acknowledge these contributions and provide references for anyone who wants to learn about the projects, review the code, or explore their development in more depth.

Code and References