Tesla now accepting dogecoin as payment for whistle, ride-on toy

Musk confirmed the news on his corporate communications platform of choice Twitter, saying simply: “Tesla merch buyable with Dogecoin”.

According to the Tesla website, the products include the ‘Cyberquad for Kids’ ride-on toy at DOGE 12,020 (£1,741.57), and the ‘Cyberwhistle’ - a stainless-steel whistle - for DOGE 300 (£43.47).

Both products are said to be inspired by the Tesla ‘Cybertruck’ - an as-yet-released battery-electric light-duty truck which has been repeatedly delayed as competition in the space intensifies from the likes of Ford’s F-150 Lightning and GM’s Chevrolet Silverado EV.

Musk tweeted in December that Tesla would begin accepting dogecoin on a test basis in December, though there is no indication on whether the company plans to accept it as payment for its road vehicles.

Dogecoin was initially created by a pair of software engineers as a joke, but gained meme status through 2021 after a series of tweets from Musk led to its price spiking several times - on one occasion by more than 100%.

Tesla shares were up 0.41% at 0549 EST in pre-market trading on Friday, having closed down 6.75% on Thursday.