Ethereum News: Vitalik Buterin’s Hippo Adoption Sparks MOODENG Price Rally

• Vitalik Buterin adopted Moo Deng, a pygmy hippo from Thailand, donating 10 million THB to fund her care and conservation efforts.
• Following the adoption news, MOODENG meme token’s value skyrocketed by 95%, with major exchanges listing it amid trading volume surges.

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has taken an unexpected turn in his philanthropic journey by becoming the foster parent of Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo from Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo. This heartwarming adoption came with a hefty 10 million Thai baht (approx. $287,000) donation to the zoo’s Wildlife Sponsorship Program, announced on December 26.  

Thank you Vitalik Buterin @VitalikButerin 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 for the benefit of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo community & all… pic.twitter.com/Ykrr53Y2tZ

— สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว Khao Kheow Open Zoo (@KhaokheowZoo) December 26, 2024

Buterin conveyed enthusiasm for supporting wildlife through his role as Moo Deng’s foster parent and pledged a substantial donation to the zoo. The funds, provided in two installments, will support Moo Deng’s care, aid her family, and finance the construction of a 1,600-square-meter educational center dedicated to raising awareness about pygmy hippos.

“I am delighted to accept your invitation to be Moo Deng’s adoptive father while she grows up, and to donate the zoo in her name no less than 10,000,000 THB,” Buterin expressed his enthusiasm in a letter shared by the zoo.

The zoo aims to use this contribution to dispel misconceptions about pygmy hippos, often confused with their larger, more aggressive counterparts. These smaller, shy, and nocturnal creatures play a critical role in their ecosystems, highlighting the importance of protecting them.

MOODENG’s Value Jumps 95% Post-Adoption

Within an hour of the adoption announcement, the MOODENG meme token—a cryptocurrency inspired by Moo Deng—experienced a meteoric 95% rise in its value. The token peaked at $0.0002417 from its lowest point of $0.0001240 on the same day. Trading also volumes surged by an astonishing 525%.  

Coinbase and other major crypto exchanges quickly hopped on the bandwagon, listing MOODENG and further fueling its popularity. Traders flocked to the token, drawn by the buzz surrounding Buterin’s involvement and the sentimental appeal of supporting animal conservation.  

Buterin’s ties to Thailand deepened earlier this year during his visit to Devcon in Bangkok. A trip to Khao Kheow Open Zoo in November introduced him to Moo Deng, inspiring the sponsorship initiative. The adoption aligns with his history of charitable actions, including converting $1.6 million in meme coins into ETH for philanthropic causes.

The gesture, timed with Christmas, received widespread praise within the crypto and charity sectors. Buterin, a vocal supporter of meme coins contributing to good causes, has advocated for creating decentralized autonomous organizations to formalize such initiatives.

Pygmy Hippos and Public Good

The zoo’s initiative, bolstered by Buterin’s donation, will ensure Moo Deng and her fellow pygmy hippos have a secure habitat. The educational center aims to inform visitors about the unique traits of pygmy hippos, fostering empathy and conservation efforts.  

Buterin’s move has also led some experts, including economists Tyler Cowen and Alex Tabarrok, to suggest he might one day be a candidate for the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. His vision for blending technology with humanity-driven initiatives continues to inspire.