The Dogecoin Foundation recently released a statement mourning the passing of Balltze, known online as “Cheems.” Cheems was an iconic and beloved internet meme figure, known for his humorous and relatable personality that left a lasting impact on meme culture. Nicknamed “Ball Ball,” Cheems passed away on August 18, 2023 during surgery following a cancer diagnosis. Born in 2011, he became famous in 2017 after a photo of him looking anxious went viral online. The Dogecoin Foundation recognized Cheems’ significance and cultural influence in their statement about his death.
Cheems became a hugely popular internet meme thanks to his anxious but relatable look in the viral photo that first brought him fame. His recognizable image in that photo made him the perfect template for countless other memes, especially “Swole Doge vs Cheems” which played on contrasting Cheems’ uneasiness with an exaggeratedly buff Doge. It was Cheems’ ability to connect emotionally with people through his viral photo that drove his meme popularity. This led to many more memes capitalizing on the relatable Cheems character established in that initial viral image.
The “Swole Doge vs Cheems” meme humorously used another Shiba Inu named Kabosu, who had inspired the original Doge meme and Dogecoin cryptocurrency. The immense impact of Balltze’s online presence as Cheems is evident from the outpouring of condolences worldwide. On Instagram, Balltze’s owner Kathy commemorated his cheerful spirit, saying not to be sad but instead remember the joy Balltze brought. She emphasized how he brought comfort to many during difficult times, expressing hope that his legacy of spreading joy would continue. The global reaction shows how influential Balltze was as Cheems, building off the original Doge meme that led to Dogecoin’s creation.
The cryptocurrency and meme communities have united to commemorate Balltze’s impact. Shiba Inu dogs like Balltze have become embedded in internet culture through memes, and have also greatly influenced digital currencies like Dogecoin. As a result, Balltze’s passing is an important moment for the Dogecoin community, given the meme-inspired origins of the cryptocurrency. His contribution as the iconic Cheems meme prompted an outpouring of remembrances from both the meme world and cryptocurrency spheres.
#ShibaInuMeme #RIPCheems #CheemsLegacy
