Shiba Inu (SHIB) coin is a major contender for the meme coin throne, often referred to as the ‘Dogecoin killer’ by its supporters. As the coin continues to grow, more people are interested in the tokenomics of this project and find themselves wondering how many Shiba Inu coins are in circulation.
Understanding Shiba Inu Coin (SHIB)
Shiba Inu was created in August 2020 by pseudonymous developers. Unlike tokens that live on a dedicated network, SHIB is an ERC-20 token that exists on the Ethereum blockchain. This gives it access to DeFi and related services, providing an advantage over similar meme coins with less utility.
The ecosystem now includes projects like ShibaSwap (a decentralized exchange), NFTs, and the play-to-earn game Shiba Eternity. With a dedicated community, the coin has exploded in popularity, becoming one of the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market cap.
Total Supply of Shiba Inu Coins
The Shiba Inu supply upon its 2020 launch was 1 quadrillion SHIB tokens, or one thousand trillion tokens. This massive circulating supply made headlines and helped the project gain worldwide attention.
👉 Discover how SHIB's utility sets it apart from other meme coins
It’s worth noting that a large supply doesn’t necessarily impact the value or use case of the project. For new crypto users, it may have seemed that SHIB tokens were ‘cheaper’ than other cryptocurrencies, making them appear more affordable. However, the price of an individual token shouldn’t be conflated with the worth of the project itself.
Current Circulating Supply of Shiba Inu
The SHIB crypto currently stands at 589 trillion SHIB. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin sent 410 trillion tokens to a dead wallet in 2021, effectively burning them. The SHIB community has also burned large portions of the initial supply to make SHIB deflationary, meaning it becomes scarcer over time.
Burns are decided democratically, with those who own the most SHIB tokens having the most voting power. While the dev team's identity is unknown, their actions aim to reduce the total supply, ideally increasing the token's value.
Of the remaining 589 trillion tokens, a portion is locked or burned, adding further scarcity.
Why Supply Matters to Investors
The value of a cryptocurrency is determined by:
Market Cap = Price × Supply
For example:
- Apple Inc. stock is worth $170 per share.
- Berkshire Hathaway stock is worth $685,000 per share.
Yet, Apple is worth more because it has more shares. Similarly, when buying SHIB, investors are purchasing a percentage of the overall supply.
👉 Learn how market cap impacts crypto investments
Investors should focus on market cap, not token price, as it reflects the actual value of the project.
Future of Shiba Inu Supply
The future of SHIB supply will play a major role in its price. Burns happen regularly and can be tracked via tools like Shibburn.
The team may use burns to counteract price declines, alongside monitoring community initiatives, staking activities, and strategic partnerships.
Comparing Shiba Inu’s Supply to Other Cryptocurrencies
Shiba Inu’s supply is unusually high, but this alone doesn’t dictate its worth. Here’s how it compares:
| Cryptocurrency | Circulating Supply | Supply Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Shiba Inu (SHIB) | 589 trillion SHIB | Active burns |
| Dogecoin (DOGE) | 141 billion DOGE | Unlimited, inflationary |
| Bitcoin (BTC) | 19 million BTC | Capped at 21 million |
Bitcoin’s programmatic halving makes it deflationary, while Dogecoin’s unlimited supply contrasts with SHIB’s burn strategy.
FAQs
How many Shiba Inu coins were initially released?
1 quadrillion SHIB tokens were released at launch in August 2020.
How many Shiba Inu coins are left?
Approximately 589 trillion SHIB remain in circulation.
How many Shiba Inu coins are burned daily?
Burns vary; recently, over 2 billion tokens were burned in a week.
Can Shiba Inu be mined?
No. The entire supply was minted at launch, and no new tokens will be created.
Who owns the most Shiba Inu?
Major holders include DEXs, community wallets, and Vitalik Buterin. Other large holders are unknown.