--- title: Let’s talk about dabloons - The Hustle description: TikTok users created a sprawling RPG involving a cat and gold coins. image: https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/559950864-final_size-dabloons_20221129004041.webp --- # Let’s talk about dabloons ![Juliet Bennett Rylah](https://53.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/53/assets/hubspot.com/web-team/WBZ/HubSpot%20Media/Blog%202021/Images/Nav/Optimized/TheHustle_Icon_Dark.svg) [Juliet Bennett Rylah](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/author/juliet-bennett-rylah) [Juliet Bennett Rylah Twitter profile ](https://twitter.com/JBRylah) Published: December 02, 2022 Updated: October 11, 2023 *Doubloons* were Spanish [gold coins](https://store.nwtmint.com/info/doubloon/) coveted by pirates. *Dabloons* are something else — an elaborate, entirely user-generated TikTok game surrounding a fake currency. ![Let’s talk about dabloons](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/559950864-final_size-dabloons_20221129004041.webp?width=595&height=400&name=559950864-final_size-dabloons_20221129004041.webp) #### **It started with a cat** In 2021, an image of a kitten’s paw with the caption “[4 dabloons](https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/tiktok-dabloons-tiktok-doubloons-4-dabloons-cat)” went viral on Instagram, followed by one of a black cat and its toes. The meme spread to Tumblr, Reddit, and, eventually, TikTok, where users decided they “earned” dabloons whenever the cat appeared. #### **A sprawling game ensued** Though dabloons have no real-world value, some players started keeping track of their earnings. The “dabloon cat” itself evolved into a fantasy RPG merchant, selling weary travelers “stew” in exchange for dabloons, while others began roleplaying characters: - Dabloon [thieves](https://www.tiktok.com/@dabloon..robbery/video/7168970950610865454?i) - Shopkeepers selling potions to [protect](https://www.tiktok.com/@blossom_in_my_moonlight/video/7168901824764792110?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1) against dabloon theft - Dabloon [cops](https://www.tiktok.com/@dabloon.police18/video/7169778764413488427?) and dabloon [lawyers](https://www.tiktok.com/@bestdabloonlawyer/video/7169136348505443627?) Even brands were getting involved, including [Ikea](https://www.tiktok.com/@ikea_usa/video/7169248291530673454?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1), the [Sacramento History Museum](https://www.tiktok.com/@sachistorymuseum/video/7170069506260372782?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1), and [Toys R Us](https://www.tiktok.com/@toysruscanada/video/7169610220300274950?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1). Unfortunately, the pretend economy also cratered, as some accounts gave away large amounts of dabloons, causing [dabloon inflation](https://www.tiktok.com/@dabloonshq/video/7168685931841490219?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1). #### **What’s the point?** One* could *argue that Gen Z and millennials, who [use](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1299771/tiktok-global-user-age-distribution/) TikTok the most, enjoy role-playing in an economy where skyrocketing home values, student loans, inflation, and a looming recession don’t affect them. At the very least, it’s a social game where all that’s required is imagination and a willingness to be silly with others. Compared to the bickering that takes place across social media, it’s kinda heartwarming. 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