Viral Sensation Moo Deng Solana Meme Coin Surges to $80M Market Cap

A Solana-based meme coin boosted by Moo Deng, a viral pygmy hippo native to Thailand, saw its market cap surge to over $80 million in less than two weeks.

Moo Deng, which roughly translates to "bouncy pork" in Thai, is a two-month-old resident at Khao Kheew Open Zoo, Chonburi, Thailand.

This pint-sized hippo has won the hearts of millions across the globe because of her endearing facial features, which also include chubby cheeks and an always-wet appearance. Social media posts of the baby hippopotamus have gained views running into millions easily, confirming her status as an internet celebrity.

The Solana token MOODENG was created on the meme coin platform Pump.fun, and immediately started flying high. This Tuesday alone, the token's market capitalization reached a high of $80.14 million.

MOODENG now stands as the fourth-largest meme coin on Pump.fun, going above notable contenders like BILLY, SCF, and DADDY. Meanwhile, Moo Deng's popularity in the real world continues to balloon. Khao Kheow Open Zoo has announced plans to launch a 24-hour livestream of the pygmy hippo responding to overwhelming public demand.