Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has expanded his philanthropic endeavors to embrace wildlife conservation.
Recently, he adopted Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus residing at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Buterin donated 10 million Thai Baht, equivalent to $290,000, to support Moo Deng’s care.
Also, the donation will supplement the zoo’s educational initiatives over the next two years.
The Vitalik Buterin Animal Conservation Support
Vitalik Buterin is widely recognized for his contributions to the world of crypto. However, what many may not know is that Buterin has also made a significant mark as a philanthropist.
His commitment to giving back remains evident through various charitable donations, including to animal conservation.
Over the years, he has donated millions in crypto assets to organizations to protect wildlife. His recent donation to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo’s Wildlife Sponsorship Program is to help improve the living conditions of pygmy hippos.
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His financial contributions will help build a 1,600-square-meter center to raise awareness about the species.
This effort aims to correct misconceptions and highlight the ecological importance of pygmy hippos.
In an X post, Buterin expressed his excitement about his donation. He shared that he is happy to be the adoptive father of Moo Deng for the next two years.
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
He also mentioned the possibility of contributing more. Buterin hinted that he had set aside 88 Ethereum (ETH) for Moo Deng and her friends.
Buterin and History of Donations
This recent act of philanthropy aligns with Buterin’s history of supporting various charitable causes. In October, he donated $180,000 worth of Ethereum to a Biotech charity in Kanro using memecoins sent to his wallet.
This donation to Kanro is part of his broader vision of using crypto to support causes that may not traditionally have access to such funds.
His donation helped further Kanro’s mission to improve biotechnology, healthcare, and medical research.
Buterin has also given millions of dollars to Save the Elephants Foundation. These funds helped the foundation to protect species like elephants, restore marine ecosystems, and reintroduce endangered animals into the wild.
Buterin has a long history of supporting research, education, and decentralized technologies projects. His contributions reflect his commitment to driving progress in these areas. In 2021, Buterin donated about $1 billion in crypto assets to support COVID-19 relief efforts in India.
His donation helped provide medical resources, oxygen supplies, and support for those affected by the pandemic.
The co-founder of Ethereum has also supported blockchain projects to track wildlife populations and combat illegal poaching. These efforts promote transparency and efficiency in conservation initiatives.
The Moo Deng Token Reaction
The news of Vitalik Buterin’s adoption of Moo Deng sent shockwaves through the memecoin world.
Within hours of the announcement, the Ethereum-based MOODENG token saw a remarkable 70% surge in value, with trading volume skyrocketing by 275%.
The token reached a high of $0.0002446 before stabilizing at $0.0001942. Meanwhile, the Solana-based version of the token experienced a slight dip.
This shows that Ethereum’s dominance in the ecosystem helped elevate the MOODENG token’s market value.
The market reaction did not fade quickly. Major crypto exchanges like Coinbase’s listing has also supplemented the hype around the MOODENG token.
The token’s futures market also grew, with open interest rising 9% in just four hours, now worth $115.42 million.
This shows the growing excitement around the token and how it mixes meme culture with real-world impact.
