The Dogwifhat team has officially pulled the plug on its year-long mission to showcase the Solana-based meme coin on the iconic Las Vegas Sphere. Despite raising nearly $700,000 in USDC from supporters, multiple attempts to lock in a deal fell through—leaving organizers no choice but to issue full refunds.
The once-hyped plan had promised to bring the coin’s signature dog-in-a-hat image to one of the world’s most visible digital billboards. Initially, organizers claimed to have secured a deal through a fashion brand to project Dogwifhat on the Sphere’s Exosphere. These claims were echoed and hinted at by the official Dogwifhat X account in January. But days later, a Sphere spokesperson firmly denied any agreement, stating they only accept crypto-related ads from exchanges—and strictly about Bitcoin. The statement reportedly scared off the fashion partner, unraveling the campaign.
Token Drop and Community Blowback
The aftermath of the Sphere’s rejection triggered an 18% plunge in WIF’s price. Organizers say this crash further spooked potential partners, who feared SEC scrutiny. Community frustration boiled over, with accusations of fraud aimed at the team—despite the funds being held transparently on a Solana multi-sig wallet. Organizers had moved the funds briefly in preparation for a deal but returned them shortly after the collapse.
Refunds Begin Amid a Bittersweet Ending
Edward, one of the lead organizers, announced via X that the refund process would begin Tuesday, handled by fellow organizer Mihir. While those who donated via wallets will be refunded automatically, users who contributed via centralized exchanges must submit manually. “At least we can say we gave it our best shot,” said Edward, emphasizing that the “hat stays on,” even if the dream didn’t pan out.
Meme Coins Still Compete for the Spotlight
The failed campaign comes amid rising competition between Solana meme coins. Rival coin BONK made headlines in December with a drone light show above the Wynn Hotel, and Bitcoin featured prominently on the Sphere thanks to a Crypto.com deal. With WIF now back in the hands of its community, many hope the token can move forward—without grand but ill-fated marketing stunts.