Vitalik Buterin’s Generous Donation to Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo
Ethereum Co-Founder’s Christmas Gift to Support Animal Welfare
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has made a significant donation to Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo, totaling nearly $300,000. The funds will be used to upgrade the zoo’s facilities and support its Wildlife Sponsorship program. Buterin’s generous gift is a Christmas present to Moo Deng, a pygmy hippo who has become an internet sensation as the face of the MOODENG meme coin.
Crypto Meets Conservation: A Shared Passion
Buterin’s involvement with the zoo stems from a recent visit, during which he was impressed by the facility’s commitment to animal welfare and community engagement. In a letter to Khao Kheow’s director, shared on X, the Russian-born programmer expressed his gratitude for the zoo’s hospitality and highlighted Moo Deng’s unique role as a cultural ambassador for Thailand.
A Commitment to Improving the Pygmy Hippo Habitat
Buterin praised the zoo’s efforts and emphasized the importance of improving the pygmy hippo habitat. He also acknowledged Thailand’s hospitality to the Ethereum community, particularly during Devcon SEA in Bangkok last November. The 30-year-old pledged to donate at least 10 million baht, approximately $300,000, in Moo Deng’s name. The donation will be made in two installments, with the first contribution already made on December 26, and the second set to be delivered later.
Additional Support from Vitalik Buterin
Buterin has also promised an extra 88 ETH to ensure ongoing support for the zoo’s projects. The Ethereum developer’s generosity has been met with appreciation from the zoo, which has posted on X, calling him “an adoptive father to Moo Deng.” Buterin responded, sharing his enthusiasm for the role and quoting a popular line from the Star Trek shows: “May they live long and prosper.”
Moo Deng’s Rise to Fame
Moo Deng, already a beloved symbol in Thailand, gained global fame as the face of the MOODENG coin. The token has captured the crypto community’s attention despite recent market fluctuations.
Market Performance
At the time of writing, Moo Deng was changing hands at $0.2693, with a 24-hour trading volume of $179.7 million, representing a 50.3% surge in activity compared to the previous day. While the token’s price dipped 3.2% in the past 24 hours, it gained 6.1% over the past week, outperforming the broader crypto market, which had seen a 1.2% decline in that period.
Vitalik Buterin’s Previous Philanthropic Efforts
Buterin previously liquidated over $1 million worth of meme tokens donated to him, including 10 billion MOODENG, giving the proceeds to various charities. Interestingly, he was recently critical of the meme coin space, decrying the proliferation of celebrity-inspired tokens. He argued that it would be better if they had a public goal aimed at promoting a specific cause or at least incorporated fun mechanics going beyond trading.
Conclusion
Vitalik Buterin’s generous donation to Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo is a testament to his commitment to supporting animal welfare and conservation efforts. His involvement with the zoo is a shining example of how the crypto community can come together to make a positive impact on the world.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of Vitalik Buterin’s donation to Khao Kheow Open Zoo?
A: The donation will be used to upgrade the zoo’s facilities and support its Wildlife Sponsorship program.
Q: How much did Vitalik Buterin donate to the zoo?
A: He pledged to donate at least 10 million baht, approximately $300,000, in Moo Deng’s name.
Q: What is Moo Deng’s role in the MOODENG meme coin?
A: Moo Deng is the face of the MOODENG coin and has become an internet sensation.
Q: What is Vitalik Buterin’s stance on the meme coin space?
A: He is critical of the proliferation of celebrity-inspired tokens and believes that meme coins should have a public goal aimed at promoting a specific cause or incorporate fun mechanics going beyond trading.
