Vitalik Buterin Donates $300,000 to Khao Kheow Open Zoo for Moo Deng
Stalled bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrency prices may not be uplifting for traders, but some individuals are contributing positively. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin announced his role as the “adoptive father” of pygmy hippo Moo Deng, along with a donation of 10 million Thai baht ($300,000) to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Bangkok, where the five-month-old hippo resides.
The donations, made in Moo Deng’s name, will support zoo operations and the establishment of a dedicated pygmy hippo habitat. Buterin attributed this gesture to the “wonderful hospitality of Thailand” experienced during November’s Ethereum developer conference, expressing it as a “gesture of friendship and respect” towards the country.
Buterin remarked, “What better way to do that than through a Christmas present to someone who is dear to all Thai people, Moo Deng, and who has become one of the most unexpected and important Thai celebrities on the world stage," in a letter to the zoo.
Moo Deng, whose name translates to "bouncy pork" in Thai, gained internet fame earlier this year as images of her went viral. She has two siblings: brother Moo Toon (stewed pork) and sister Moo Waan (sweet pork).
A memecoin inspired by her, MOODENG on Solana, also gained traction, reaching a market capitalization above $600 million in November after listings on major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase. MOODENG became notable for being the first token themed on an animal other than a dog or cat to achieve significant trading volumes, often regarded as the first Thai memecoin.
Despite its initial success, token prices have declined by 60% from their peak, as much of Moo Deng’s popularity remains concentrated within Thailand and nearby markets.