DOGE Founder's Honda Civic Moment Returns as Strategy Eyes Bitcoin Sale

Billy Markus, the co-founder of Dogecoin who operates under the X handle 'Shibetoshi Nakamoto,' has found himself back in the community spotlight — and not entirely by choice. His reaction to news surrounding Strategy's potential Bitcoin liquidation reignited an old story that the crypto world simply refuses to forget.

The trigger came when reports emerged that Strategy, currently the largest publicly traded corporate holder of Bitcoin, may be considering selling a portion of its massive BTC reserves — approximately $1.25 billion worth. As of June 22, the company holds 847,363 BTC. To raise the targeted $1.25 billion, Strategy would need to offload roughly 20,800 BTC at current market prices, which represents about 2.5% of its total holdings.

Markus responded to the news by sharing a video compilation on X, featuring a series of past tweets from Strategy Chairman Michael Saylor — a well-known Bitcoin maximalist — in which Saylor repeatedly urged investors to never sell their Bitcoin. The post was clearly intended as ironic commentary, but it quickly backfired in an unexpected way.

Community members were quick to point out the irony of Markus — a man who sold his entire crypto portfolio years ago — poking fun at someone else's selling decision. One X user brought up the now-legendary story: back in 2015, after losing his job, Markus liquidated all of his DOGE holdings along with the rest of his crypto assets for roughly $10,000. He used the funds to cover rent and basic living expenses. At the time, that amount was roughly equivalent to the price of a used Honda Civic — a comparison that has since become a recurring punchline in crypto circles.

Rather than getting defensive, Markus responded with a meme GIF suggesting he was completely unbothered, staying true to his characteristically laid-back online persona. The exchange once again highlighted the unpredictable and often self-referential nature of crypto community culture.

Meanwhile, Strategy clarified the nature of its Bitcoin plans in an official press release. The company's Board of Directors authorized what it calls a 'BTC Monetization Program.' Under this framework, Strategy may sell BTC for three specific purposes: first, to generate up to $1.25 billion to fund its USD Reserve; second, to cover preferred stock dividends and interest expenses or replenish the USD Reserve following such payments; and third, to fund potential repurchases of Digital Credit Securities or Class A common stock.

Importantly, the company emphasized that the program does not obligate it to sell any Bitcoin, make dividend payments through BTC sales, or repurchase any securities. The BTC Monetization Program carries no fixed expiration date and can be modified, suspended, or cancelled at any time at the company's discretion.

The episode underscores a broader tension within the crypto industry — between long-held ideological commitments to 'holding' and the practical financial realities that even the most prominent Bitcoin advocates must eventually navigate. For Markus, it was a $10,000 Honda Civic moment. For Strategy, the stakes are measured in billions.