What Are TikTok Doubloons? The '4 Dabloons Cat' Meme Explained

A new currency has just dropped on TikTok called dabloons (also spelled "doubloons"), all controlled by one cat who has been dubbed the "4 Dabloons Cat." Just imagine if Jinx the Cat was a character in Pirates of the Carribean. Boom! You're halfway there to understanding this meme and the meaning and origin of this photo slideshow trend.

So where did the "4 Dabloons Cat" meme come from, and why is the TikTok dabloons economy so important on the platform right now? Let's explain.

Where Did The '4 Dabloons Cat' Meme Come From?

In April 2021, cat-centric Instagram pages began sharing kitten paws, labeling each kitten toe as a "dabloon." The original meme came from the Instagram page @catz.jpeg and soon spread like wildfire to other platforms. About a week later, @catz.jpeg shared another meme, this time using an image of a scraggly, black cat holding up four toes. Thus the "4 Dabloons Cat" was born.

Where Did The 'TikTok Dabloons' Trend Come From?

Starting in June 2021, the "4 Dabloons Cat" meme started to be shared on TikTok. Despite its early spread, the dabloons economy wasn't established until late October 2022, a few months after the integration of TikTok's photo slideshow feature.

The so-called "weary traveler" scrolling through their "For You" page would be encountered by a trade offer which could be fulfilled if the black cat was given four dabloons. Thereafter, the trend went viral in November 2022, and eventually there was a lot of lore created about the growing dabloons economy.

For the full history of TikTok Dabloons, be sure to check out our entry on the meme here for even more information.