DogeOS has introduced a public testnet utilizing ZK-rollups based on Dogecoin. This EVM-compatible second-layer network enhances the DOGE ecosystem by enabling smart contracts and DeFi applications on top of the main blockchain.
1/ DogeOS Testnet is Open to Builders!
— DogeOS (@DogeOS) September 30, 2026
Millions of Dogecoin holders are waiting for more things to do with DOGE.
What are you going to build for them?
Start here ↓ pic.twitter.com/L2yPs2ASU5
Layer 2 Solution for Dogecoin
The DogeOS Chikyū public testnet commenced on September 30. This project serves as an EVM-compatible application layer built as a rollup using zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) on Dogecoin. DOGE is utilized as the native token for transaction fees.
The goal of DogeOS is to execute smart contracts and applications outside of Dogecoin while maintaining a connection to the core network. Notably, Dogecoin itself does not require any modifications to support the testnet. Developers on DogeOS can leverage the familiar Ethereum stack, including EVM, the Solidity programming language, and toolkits like Hardhat and Foundry.
The network is designed to handle approximately 300 transactions per second, a significant increase from Dogecoin's 30 TPS. Additionally, the block formation time is reduced from one minute to just three seconds.
DeFi on DOGE
The primary objective of this new layer is to transform DOGE into a foundation not just for payments but also for a comprehensive ecosystem of applications.
Several projects have already been announced for the testnet, including:
- Barkswap, which is developing liquidity infrastructure;
- Superposition Finance, a lending protocol;
- Derps, a perpetual contracts exchange, and Split Markets, an options platform;
- USDoge, a stablecoin based on the CDP mechanism.
Additionally, there are plans for a prediction market aggregator, launchpads, and games. Importantly, DogeOS does not issue a separate token for gas fees; all network fees are paid in DOGE.
Current Security Measures
The main Dogecoin network currently does not validate ZKPs for DogeOS. During the testnet phase, the network employs an authorized sequencer, validators, and a trusted execution environment. State transitions require valid proofs and signatures from a majority of validators.
In the future, the team aims to integrate ZKP validation directly into the main blockchain. They have proposed an update to Dogecoin Core named OP_CHECKZKP that would support native proof verification, although this change has not yet been implemented.
The Need for Dogecoin Applications
The creators of DogeOS aspire to redefine DOGE's role, shifting it from merely a speculative asset used for transfers to a foundational element for a thriving application ecosystem.
This shift is particularly crucial given the lack of interest in existing investment products based on Dogecoin. According to CoinDesk, three U.S. DOGE ETFs have seen only about $12 million in net inflows over nearly ten months, with no net movement in funds on 166 out of 199 trading days. In September, Bitwise announced the liquidation of its Dogecoin ETF, citing a reevaluation of its product lineup based on investor needs.
Jordan Jefferson, founder of DogeOS, told the publication that applications could provide a more compelling reason to hold DOGE beyond just speculation on its price appreciation. The project is developed by the team behind MyDoge, a Dogecoin wallet.
Previous Attempts with Dogechain
The concept of creating a separate application layer for Dogecoin is not new. In 2022, Dogechain proposed a similar idea, allowing users to transfer DOGE to a separate network for DeFi, trading, and NFT operations.
However, interest in Dogechain waned quickly. Data from DefiLlama indicates that only $271 remains deposited in financial applications on Dogechain.
DogeOS distinguishes itself by attempting to keep Dogecoin as the base layer while adding functionality on top. Timothy Stebbing from the Dogecoin Foundation has endorsed the launch, emphasizing that the fundamental layer of the network does not need alterations.
The DogeOS team has not yet announced a launch date for the mainnet.
It’s worth noting that December 2025 marked the 12th anniversary of Dogecoin's launch.
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