Vitalik Buterin of Ethereum ‘Takes In’ Viral Hippo Moo Deng

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has donated 10 million Thai baht (around $300,000) to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo near Bangkok, supporting the development of a special exhibit for Moo Deng, a five-month-old pygmy hippo. The funds will help enhance the zoo’s operations and create a dedicated habitat for Moo Deng and her family.

In a post on X, Buterin shared that he had accepted the invitation to become Moo Deng’s “adoptive father” when she grows up. He explained that the donation was a gesture of gratitude for the “wonderful hospitality” he received during November’s Ethereum developer conference in Thailand. The donation was also meant as a “Christmas present” for Moo Deng, who has become a beloved figure in Thailand and an unexpected global celebrity.

Moo Deng, whose name translates to “bouncy pork” in Thai, became an internet sensation earlier this year after photos of her went viral. She has two siblings, Moo Toon (“stewed pork”) and Moo Waan (“sweet pork”). Her popularity also inspired the creation of a memecoin called MOODENG on the Solana blockchain. The coin surged to a market cap of over $600 million in November after being listed on major exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase.

MOODENG became the first memecoin based on an animal other than a dog or cat to see substantial trading volume, earning it recognition as Thailand’s first memecoin. However, its value has dropped by 60% since its peak, with much of Moo Deng’s fame still confined to Thailand and nearby markets.