Vitalik Buterin Adopts Viral Pygmy Hippopotamus Moo Deng
As the co-founder of Ethereum, the world’s second-largest blockchain network, Vitalik Buterin has made numerous headlines for his contributions to the cryptocurrency space. However, a recent development has taken him into uncharted territory as an adoptive father.
Moo Deng: The Viral Sensation
In September 2024, Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo, captured the internet’s attention with her charming personality and social media videos. Her expressive nature and adorable antics quickly made her an online sensation.
Buterin’s Generous Donation
On December 26, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo announced that Vitalik Buterin had joined their Wildlife Sponsorship Program by adopting Moo Deng with a generous gift of 10,000,000 THB (approximately $292,000) for her family. The zoo expressed their gratitude and enthusiasm for working with Buterin over the next two years.
"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! We look forward to working with you over the next 2 years," said the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in their announcement.
Buterin’s Response
In response to the announcement, Vitalik Buterin expressed his excitement and willingness to donate more than the initial amount. He wrote on X:
"I’m happy to be adoptive father to Moo Deng as she grows up over the next 2 years and support her with my 10M THB donation, maybe more as I set aside 88 ETH for [Moo Deng] + frens."
Buterin’s Previous Donations
In October, Buterin donated over $180,000 in ETH (Ethereum) to his address labeled "Moo Deng memecoins" to the biotech charity Kanro. This demonstrates his commitment to using his wealth to support charitable causes.
The Rise of Moo Deng Memecoin
The global virality of Moo Deng inspired the creation of a Solana-based memecoin, which attracted significant attention from traders. However, the token’s price experienced a steep decline, shedding nearly 60% of its peak valuation.
A Notable Trader’s Success Story
A savvy investor turned $1,300 into $3.4 million after achieving an impressive 2,554-fold return on investment on the Moo Deng (MOODENG) token. This remarkable gain raised suspicions among some community members who speculated that an insider or developer might have been involved.
"Savvy Moo Deng trader" with a remarkable 2,554-fold return on investment on MOODENG. Source: Lookonchain
The Dangers of Memecoin Trading
The Moo Deng memecoin’s price drop serves as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with memecoin trading. According to CoinGecko data, the token fell 58% from its all-time high of $0.62 recorded on November 16, 2024.
A Look at Trader Success
On Solana’s memecoin launchpad, Pump.fun, over 99% of traders have lost money or made less than $1,000 worth of profit. Only one wallet generated over $10,000 worth of returns, while only a few wallets achieved between $1,000 and $10,000.
Vitalik Buterin’s Visit to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo
As an adoptive father, Vitalik Buterin has taken a personal interest in Moo Deng’s well-being. In a recent visit to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, he demonstrated his commitment to supporting conservation efforts and promoting animal welfare.
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