In a surprising twist of events this holiday season, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin made headlines with a remarkable contribution to wildlife conservation.
The Ethereum developer donated 10 million Thai baht to sponsor Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus residing at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand.
Vitalik Buterin Backs Moo Deng’s Care with Generous Donation
Many see Moo Deng as a symbol of cultural pride. She receives the support of many admirers, the latest of whom is Ethereum founder Buterin. He reportedly visited the zoo in November and was amazed by the dedication to wildlife conservation in the region.
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
His financial backing ensures Moo Deng and her fellow hippos receive optimal care. It would also aid the dedicated staff who oversee their well-being. Buterin will reportedly pay the donation in two installments, starting December 26th.
Thanks for the warm welcome to the family and your work for wild animals!
I’m happy to be adoptive father to Moo Deng as she grows up over the next 2y and support her with my 10M THB donation, maybe more as I set aside 88 ETH for🦛+ frens. May they live long and prosper🖖🏻 pic.twitter.com/l24vPybhTi
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) December 26, 2024
A Token of Gratitude to Thailand
Furthermore, Buterin’s gesture was also a nod to Thailand’s hospitality. Reflecting on the country’s role in hosting Ethereum events like the Devcon Sea conference, he described the donation as a meaningful way to give back. “What better way to show appreciation than a Christmas gift to Moo Deng, someone dear to Thai people and an unexpected global celebrity?” he remarked in a letter shared by the zoo.
Interestingly, Buterin, in an X post, hinted that he could make more donations beyond his initial 88 ether gift. He wrote on X, “I’m happy to be an adoptive father to Moo Deng as she grows up over the next 2y and support her with my 10M THB donation, maybe more as I set aside 88 ETH for [Moo Deng] + frens.”
Moo Deng rose to fame in September, captivating the hearts of many with her vibrant personality. Additionally, her emergence sparked the creation of a Solana-based memecoin, MOODENG , which briefly made waves.
🚨 NEW: @lookonchain reveals that a trader on @Solana turned $1,331 into $3.4M in just 15 days by buying $MOODENG memecoin at an early stage.
a 2,554x return. pic.twitter.com/XIQUeJ1poz
— SolanaFloor (@SolanaFloor) September 25, 2024
Interestingly, a lucky investor turned $1,300 into $3.4 million, achieving a staggering 2,554x return. Many believe the trader’s profits could have been a case of insider trading. However, the story points to the huge opportunities within the memecoin market.
Memecoins became a huge part of crypto in 2024. While most memecoin projects are pump-and-dump schemes, some advocates believe memecoins could evolve to have more real-world use cases like charity.
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