Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin Adopts Viral Pygmy Hippo Internet Sensation Moo Deng

Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus that became a viral internet sensation, was adopted by Vitalik Buterin, one of the most popular cryptocurrency founders.

Pygmy hippo Moo Deng, who became a viral internet sensation, has been adopted by Vitalik Buterin, a cryptocurrency founder.

Buterin, who co-founded Ethereum, the world’s second-largest blockchain network, became the adoptive father of Moo Deng, Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo announced in a Dec. 26 announcement:

“We look forward to working with you over the next 2 years,” the announcement added.

Moo Deng rose to viral fame in September 2024 due to her expressive personality and charming social media videos shared by the Thailand-based zoo.

In response to the announcement, Buterin stated that he might donate more than the current 88 Ether (ETH) for the zoo. He wrote in a Dec. 26 response:

“I might have to donate even more than 88 ETH for Moo Deng.”

In October, Buterin donated over $180,000 in ETH, sent to his address as Moo Deng memecoins, to the biotech charity Kanro.

Moo Deng memecoin trader makes $3.4M before 60% decline

Moo Deng’s global virality inspired a Solana-based memecoin, and some traders secured significant returns before the meme token lost nearly 60% of its peak valuation.

A savvy investor turned $1,300 into $3.4 million after achieving a remarkable 2,554-fold return on investment on the Moo Deng (MOODENG) token, Cointelegraph reported on Sept. 26.

This financial gain has raised suspicions among some community members, who speculate that an insider or developer may have been involved.

However, illustrating the risks of memecoin trading, the hippo-themed memecoin fell 58% from its all-time high of $0.62 on Nov. 16, 2024, according to CoinGecko.

Over 99% of traders on Solana’s memecoin launchpad, Pump.fun, lost money or made less than $1,000.

Out of the total 8.5 million wallets, only 50 generated up to $1,000 in returns, while five wallets generated between $1,000 and $10,000.

Only one wallet managed to generate over $10,000 in profit on the memecoin launchpad, according to Dune data.