SpaceX’s Mascot Shiba Dog Adds $50 Million to a Parody Token
A Shiba Inu plush toy on SpaceX’s online store has sent a parody crypto token or meme coin into another sharp rally.
Asteroid Shiba, an Ethereum-based meme coin built around the “Asteroid” plush from SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission, jumped more than 137% over the past week, according to CoinGecko.
Its market value briefly climbed from roughly $22 million at its weekly low to about $86 million at the peak, before cooling to around $60 million.
ASTEROID Meme Coin Weekly Price Chart. Source: CoinGecko
That means the token briefly added more than $60 million in paper value during the move. Even after the pullback, it remains far above where it traded before the latest wave of SpaceX-linked attention.
A Plush Toy Becomes a Trade
The trigger was simple. SpaceX listed a $35 “SPACEX ASTEROID PLUSH” on its store, marked “coming soon,” with the company saying it expects Asteroid to “land” in September.
The store page describes Asteroid as a Shiba with “the fluffiest of ears” and says it was designed by “Liv P,” an honorary member of the Polaris Dawn team.
Crypto traders read that as fresh fuel for a story that had already gone viral once.
ASTEROID Plush Toy. Source: Official SpaceX Store
Asteroid was not created as a crypto mascot. It began as a real plush toy designed by Liv Perrotto, a young cancer patient and space fan who became connected to the Polaris Dawn crew through St. Jude-linked spaceflight efforts.
The plush flew on the Polaris Dawn mission in September 2024 as the crew’s zero-gravity indicator. That is the small object astronauts use to show when they have reached microgravity.
The Emotional Origin Story
Liv said Asteroid was inspired by Elon Musk’s Shiba Inu, Floki. She wanted the toy to help other children believe that space was not impossibly far away.
Before her death in January, Liv reportedly left Musk a list of questions. The last question asked whether Asteroid could become SpaceX’s official mascot. Musk later replied publicly, and that response helped turn the toy into a full crypto narrative.
Whatever the mainstream media wants you to believe about Elon, this is the truth: he's changing people's lives for the better.Liv Perrotto was 15 years old. Her biggest dream was to meet Elon.She had 8 questions ready. She got the chance to speak with him, but was too tired… https://t.co/ccjqdhNiiR pic.twitter.com/Pceh7UxFZE
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 18, 2026
In April, ASTEROID exploded after Musk’s reply. CoinDesk reported that one anonymous wallet turned a $575 trade into about $1.17 million in five days during that first run.
The latest rally is the sequel. This time, the catalyst was not just a social media reply. It was a SpaceX store listing.
We're excited to introduce Asteroid, our favorite Shiba, now floating with our crew in zero gravity. Here's the story behind her mission role and the how Liv Perrotto helped bring her to life for the crew. pic.twitter.com/Qy0p0n76ut
— Polaris (@PolarisProgram) September 10, 2024
The Line Traders Keep Blurring
The key detail is the distinction between the plush and the token. SpaceX is selling the Asteroid plush. It is not selling, endorsing, or backing the ASTEROID token.
The token has no formal ties to SpaceX, St. Jude, Musk, or Liv’s family, and no verified mechanism directing token proceeds to charity.
That has not stopped the market. ASTEROID now trades as a pure narrative asset: part SpaceX lore, part Shiba meme, part emotional internet story.
That combination has been enough to add tens of millions of dollars in market value within days. It also means the same attention that lifted it can disappear quickly.
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