Crypto traders join 'dopamine shopping' for the rush of fake luxury buys
Crypto traders fake expensive purchases for the spending rush
Some crypto traders whose portfolios have stopped growing have taken up "dopamine shopping," a trend in which people pretend to buy luxury goods online instead of actually paying for them.
Protos reports that the practice began in South Korea earlier this year. Users browse and go through the payment steps for expensive items such as luxury watches, designer clothes and costly meals, but no real money is spent. The stated aim is to feel the rush of a big purchase without the financial cost.
Protos links the trend among crypto traders to tighter budgets, noting that the total value of the crypto market has fallen 30% from its all-time high a year ago.
What the fake stores look like
- Dopamine Shop runs a fake jewelry aisle that includes a $10,950 Rolex Submariner and a $56,000 Audemars Piguet. Its slogan is "Shop freely. Buy nothing."
- The BBC counted more than 2.7 million visitors to FoodNeverComes since June 2026, according to Protos. The site is described as a "dopamine kitchen" that recreates the UberEats ordering experience.
- This week, a crypto commentator posted screenshots of fake storefronts to nearly two million views and told his own audience in a reply, "Degens would love it."
- Other commenters kept the joke going, with one writing, "I love checking TripNeverLeaves right after a 45-minute session with FoodNeverComes."
A lawyer's joke about adding real prizes
A Singapore-based lawyer and crypto influencer made fun of the trend by proposing a startup that would add real giveaways to fake shopping apps, creating variable rewards for users.
He joked that a company able to turn users into paying customers by pairing a fake purchase with a lottery entry for a real item could be worth "multi billions." That figure was part of the joke, not a valuation or a forecast.
A fintech worker responded with a question: "Why do we keep coming up with new and creative ways to gamble?"
What is confirmed
- Dopamine shopping sites exist and are being used, and Dopamine Shop lists the jewelry prices quoted above.
- The BBC counted more than 2.7 million visitors to FoodNeverComes since June 2026, as reported by Protos.
- The social media posts and quotes described in this article were published as shown.
What is still unclear
The supplied material does not include data measuring how many crypto traders, specifically, use these sites. The link between the trend and crypto portfolios comes from the outlet's reporting, not from usage figures. The "multi billions" estimate was a joke, and no other financial figures about the apps are given.
Why it matters
The trend has drawn comparisons to gambling. One commenter openly asked why people keep finding new ways to gamble, and the source notes that the pretend purchases are meant to deliver the same kind of rush as real spending. The interest also comes at a time when the source says crypto budgets are stretched after a decline in the market's total value.
Sources
Newisty Editorial Team covers technology, cryptocurrency, digital products, online platforms, developer tools and the wider digital economy. Our content is researched from official sources, company announcements, public documentation, market data and other primary or reputable sources. Articles are reviewed and edited before publication for clarity, accuracy and useful context.