Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has commented on the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
Although the agency’s acronym coincides with Dogecoin, there is no connection to the memecoin. However, Dogecoin’s value briefly surged to a yearly high following the announcement, reflecting its association with Elon Musk.
Announcing DOGE Agency Leadership
On August 20, US President-elect Donald Trump mentioned the possibility of Musk joining his cabinet or taking on an advisory role in January 2025, without specifying a particular position. The agency was officially announced on November 13 by Trump.
It is tasked with reducing federal spending, cutting regulations, and restructuring government operations. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the department.
Armstrong views DOGE as an opportunity to promote economic freedom and improve government efficiency. In a November 17 post on X, he described it as "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to increase economic freedom in the US and cut the size of government back to health."
Proposed Spending Cap and Sovereign Fund
Armstrong proposed a constitutional amendment to cap government spending at 10% of gross domestic product, arguing it would prevent excessive expenditure and ensure fiscal discipline over the long term.
The Coinbase executive also suggested creating a sovereign wealth fund, where US citizens could hold stakes and receive dividends from budget surpluses. Armstrong believes this system would give citizens a vested interest in government efficiency.
Political Factors Fuel Dogecoin Rally
Dogecoin (DOGE), originally launched in 2013 as a meme-based cryptocurrency by Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer, has changed into one of the most influential digital assets.
Initially a parody of Bitcoin, Dogecoin’s value skyrocketed in 2021, reaching an all-time high of $0.73, driven by social media hype and Elon Musk’s tweets. In 2024, the coin surged again by 350% following Donald Trump’s presidential win and Musk’s leadership role in a government agency called DOGE, as reported by Finance Magnates.
Recently, Dogecoin’s price reached $0.3292, becoming the sixth-largest cryptocurrency by market value, with a remarkable 152% gain in the last month. Political catalysts, such as Trump’s pro-crypto stance, have energized the crypto market, boosting Dogecoin’s value.
The broader market is also experiencing growth, with Bitcoin reaching new highs. Economic instability and increasing institutional crypto acceptance are contributing to the surge, as investors seek alternative assets amidst global uncertainty.
