In Brief:
- On September 30, DogeOS made its public testnet available, giving developers a way to build EVM-compatible applications on Dogecoin.
- The network is designed as a zero knowledge rollup, with the goal of faster transactions without compromising the Dogecoin base layer.
- DeFi platforms and gaming titles are among the notable projects under development, a major step outward for the Dogecoin ecosystem.
Developers get access to the DogeOS testnet
Developers can now build EVM-compatible applications on Dogecoin after DogeOS opened its public testnet. Called Chikyū, the testnet went live on September 30 and supports trading, lending, gaming and consumer apps. No date has been set for the mainnet launch that will follow.
The team that built the MyDoge wallet is behind the project, which aims to bring smart contract functionality to Dogecoin without changing the Dogecoin blockchain. Timothy Stebbing, a director at the Dogecoin Foundation, backed the effort, saying it provides “smart-contract functionality one layer above the Dogecoin network while preserving the simplicity of its base ledger.”
How the technology works
DogeOS is a zero knowledge rollup that settles to the Dogecoin base layer. It groups transactions into batches and backs them with proofs that link back to the original chain. Its target is roughly 300 transactions per second, against about 30 on Dogecoin itself. There is no separate network token: DOGE is the gas token.
For now, the testnet depends on a permissioned sequencer, validators and a trusted execution environment. OP_CHECKZKP, a proposed Dogecoin upgrade planned for July 2025, could let miners verify zero knowledge proofs directly.
Built around familiar tooling
Since DogeOS is EVM-compatible, developers can work with tools they already use, including Hardhat, Foundry, EthersJS and Remix. Teams already building on Ethereum or other EVM chains can move their contracts across without learning new languages or toolchains. The launch also comes with a bridge, a testnet faucet and an L2Scan block explorer.
Projects already building
Several applications are already in development on the testnet. On the DeFi side, Barkswap handles liquidity, Superposition Finance covers lending, Derps offers perpetual futures and Split Markets is built around options. Gaming titles in the pipeline include Doge Escape, Doxx Arcade and PlaysOut PLAY $0.03112 ▼ -6.8%. Players can spend DOGE on in-game actions without bridging any tokens.
The official Dogecoin account called the launch “a huge milestone for Dogecoin” and urged builders to get involved.
Who leads it and who funded it
DogeOS is led by Jordan Jefferson, who co-founded MyDoge, one of the most widely used Dogecoin wallets. In May 2025 the project raised $6.9 million in a round led by Polychain Capital. When the testnet launched, DOGE was trading at around $0.0958, with a market capitalization of approximately $14.95 billion.
Why it matters to Dogecoin holders
Dogecoin was never designed for smart contracts, and DogeOS is meant to work around that limitation. Until now, using DOGE in DeFi or gaming usually meant wrapping it on another chain, which adds complexity and risk.
DogeOS keeps the core layer simple and runs application logic above it. That lets holders take part in the ecosystem with the asset they already own. Whether the project succeeds will depend on how the testnet performs and on its security model moving beyond the current permissioned setup.
What it could mean for web3 gaming
DogeOS gives game developers a way to reach a large community that has few on-chain gaming options so far. Familiar EVM tools can speed up porting existing contracts for in-game items, rewards and marketplaces, and players don’t have to learn how a new token works. Early titles such as Doge Escape and Doxx Arcade will show whether Dogecoin’s casual, meme-driven community takes to on-chain gaming.
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