Stalled bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrency prices may not be bringing festive cheer to traders, but some with money are trying to spread the goodwill around.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently announced that he has accepted an invitation to be the “adoptive father” of pygmy hippo Moo Deng when she grows up. In addition to this heartwarming gesture, Buterin has also pledged to donate 10 million Thai baht ($300,000) to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo near Bangkok, where Moo Deng resides.
The generous donations, made in Moo Deng’s name, will be used to enhance overall zoo operations and establish a dedicated pygmy hippo habitat within the premises. Buterin expressed his gratitude towards Thailand for their hospitality during November’s annual Ethereum developer conference and viewed the donations as a “gesture of friendship and respect” to the country as a whole.
In a letter addressed to the zoo, Buterin stated, “What better way to show my appreciation than through a Christmas present to someone who is beloved by all Thai people, Moo Deng, who has unexpectedly become a prominent Thai celebrity on the global stage.”
Moo Deng, affectionately known as bouncy pork in Thai, gained widespread popularity earlier this year after her images went viral online. She has two siblings, Moo Toon (stewed pork) and Moo Waan (sweet pork). The adorable pygmy hippo also inspired a memecoin called MOODENG on the Solana blockchain, which quickly gained traction and reached a market capitalization of over $600 million in November after securing listings on major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase.
Despite its initial success, MOODENG has experienced a 60% decline in token prices since its peak, as much of Moo Deng’s fame remains concentrated within Thailand and neighboring markets. Nonetheless, the memecoin is considered to be the first Thai-themed token centered around an animal other than a dog or cat.
Buterin’s act of kindness towards Moo Deng and the Khao Kheow Open Zoo serves as a heartwarming reminder of the positive impact that cryptocurrency enthusiasts can have on wildlife conservation efforts. By leveraging their financial resources for charitable causes, individuals like Buterin are not only fostering goodwill but also raising awareness about the importance of protecting endangered species like the pygmy hippo.