• Dogecoin’s price surges over 30% following Elon Musk’s Twitter homepage update featuring the Shiba Inu dog logo.
• Twitter faces controversy over its new subscription service, Twitter Blue, as prominent figures refuse to pay the verification fee.

Dogecoin (DOGE) experienced a rapid 30% increase in value after Elon Musk’s Twitter homepage showcased the cryptocurrency’s emblematic Shiba Inu dog logo, replacing the platform’s customary blue bird.

Musk has frequently promoted DOGE, claiming it could offer superior payment functionality compared to Bitcoin (BTC). In January, the Financial Times reported Twitter’s development of a payment system, with Musk advocating for the inclusion of cryptocurrencies alongside fiat currencies, a story that boosted DOGE’s price.

The logo change is perceived as a diversion from the ongoing Twitter Blue controversy by Fortune reporter Leo Schwartz. The new subscription service, which allows users to purchase verified status with a blue tick, has replaced the previous system that reserved blue ticks for notable accounts.

Legacy accounts” now face a monthly fee to maintain verification. However, most prominent media companies, celebrities, and politicians have declined to pay the fee, posing a significant challenge for the platform.