Crypto Meets Conservation: Viral Hippo Moo Deng Gains Vitalik Buterin as Sponsor

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As a long-time crypto investor and follower of the industry, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for Vitalik Buterin’s latest philanthropic endeavor. His 88 ETH donation to Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, sponsoring the viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng, is not just another transaction on the blockchain but a powerful demonstration of crypto’s potential for social impact.

Moo Deng, the adorable viral pygmy hippo, has received a generous donation of 88 Ether (ETH) from Ethereum co-creator Vitalik Buterin. This significant contribution serves as a shining example of cryptocurrency’s capacity to make a positive social impact.

Ethereum Co-Founder Supports Thai Zoo

Vitalik Buterin, one of Ethereum’s co-founders, recently donated 88 Ether (worth approximately 10 million Thai baht) to Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. With this generous contribution, he has become the official sponsor for Moo Deng, a popular pygmy hippopotamus who has gained viral fame at the zoo.

Announcing the donation on December 26, the zoo expressed gratitude through a post on X:  

A big thank you to Vitalik Buterin for becoming part of our Wildlife Sponsorship Program and generously donating 10,000,000 THB towards Moo Deng’s family. We’re excited to collaborate with you over the next two years!

Moo Deng: A Viral Star  

In September 2024, Moo Deng became well-known worldwide due to her captivating online persona. Her entertaining videos highlighted her lively spirit, turning the pygmy hippo into an international sensation.

Buterin, in his own X post, shared his enthusiasm about sponsoring Moo Deng:  

I’m thrilled to become the adoptive father of Moo Deng for the next two years and I’m ready to provide my support with a donation of 10 million Thai Baht, which may increase as I set aside 88 Ether for both Moo Deng and her friends.

Motivations Behind the Donation

Visiting the zoo in November 2024, the co-founder of Ethereum was reminded of the institution’s dedication towards animal care and education. Looking back on this encounter, Buterin expressed admiration for Thailand’s warm climate and its role in boosting Ethereum’s growth. He specifically recognized the impact of events such as the Devcon Sea blockchain conference held there.

He stated, 

The success of this event wouldn’t have been possible without the hospitality and generosity shown by Thailand and our Thai hosts. A heartfelt way to express gratitude would be to present a special Christmas gift to Moo Deng, who has unexpectedly risen to fame as a Thai icon on an international scale.

Impact on Memecoin and Crypto Community 

Moo Deng’s rise to prominence led to the development of a memecoin on Solana called MOODENG. The creator initially donated more than 10 billion tokens to Buterin, later selling them to support charitable initiatives. However, the token’s price movement demonstrated the risky nature of trading memecoins. Following a high of $0.62 in mid-November, the token dropped by 58%, causing speculation about possible insider manipulation.

Following Buterin’s generous donation of 88 ETH, the MOODENG token experienced a significant boost. In just 24 hours, it skyrocketed by more than 70%, and over the course of the week, it saw an impressive increase of 125%.

This recent endeavor follows Vitalik Buterin’s belief that digital currencies can be used effectively for significant, worldwide improvements.

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2024-12-27 20:09