Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, donated nearly $300,000 to the Khao Kheow Zoo in Thailand, becoming the "adoptive father" of the pygmy hippopotamus Mu Deng, who inspired the meme-coin MOODENG.

The funds will go towards improving the conditions of the zoo and supporting the Wildlife Sponsorship program. Buterin emphasized the importance of enhancing the hippopotamus's habitat and thanked Thailand for its hospitality.