Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus that became a viral internet sensation, was adopted by Vitalik Buterin, one of the most popular cryptocurrency founders.
Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, the world’s second-largest blockchain network, became the adoptive father of Moo Deng, Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo announced in a Dec. 26 X post:
“Thank you Vitalik Buterin for joining the Wildlife Sponsorship Program and adopting Moo Deng with a generous gift of 10,000,000 THB for her family!”
Buterin’s donation. Source: Khao Kheow Open Zoo
“We look forward to working with you over the next 2 years,” the announcement added.
Moo Deng rose to viral popularity in September 2024 because of her expressive personality and charming social media videos shared by the Thailand-based zoo.
In response to the announcement, Buterin said he may donate even more than the current 88 Ether (ETH), or $292,000, to the zoo. He wrote in a Dec. 26 X response:
“I'm happy to be adoptive father to Moo Deng as she grows up over the next 2y and support her with my 10M THB donation, maybe more as I set aside 88 ETH for [Moo Deng] + frens.”
Buterin at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Source: Vitalik Buterin
In October, Buterin donated over $180,000 in ETH, sent to his address as Moo Deng memecoins to the biotech charity Kanro.
Moo Deng memecoin trader makes $3.4 million before 60% decline
Moo Deng’s global virality inspired the creation of a Solana-based memecoin, and some traders secured significant returns before the meme token shed nearly 60% of its peak valuation.
A savvy investor turned $1,300 into $3.4 million after achieving a remarkable 2,554-fold return on investment on the Moo Deng (MOODENG) token, Cointelegraph reported on Sept. 26.
Savvy Moo Deng trader. Source: Lookonchain
This financial gain has raised suspicions among some community members who speculate that an insider or developer may have been involved.
Yet, illustrating the dangers of memecoin trading, the hippo-themed memecoin fell 58% from its all-time high of $0.62 recorded on Nov. 16, 2024, CoinGecko data shows.
MOODENG/USDT, all-time chart. Source: CoinGecko
Over 99% of traders on Solana’s memecoin launchpad, Pump.fun, have lost money or made less than $1,000 worth of profit.
Out of the total 8.5 million wallets, only 50 generated up to $1,000 worth of returns, while five wallets generated between $1,000 and $10,000.
Wallet distribution with profit on Pump.fun. Source: Dune
Only one single wallet managed to generate over $10,000 worth of profit on the memecoin launchpad, Dune data shows.
How Crypto YouTubers Become Rich: All Secrets Revealed! Source: YouTube
Magazine: Bitcoin’s $100K push wakes taxman, Vitalik visits real Moo Deng: Asia Express
