Ethereum Boss Donates IDR 4.7 Billion, Vitalik Buterin Becomes Moo Deng's Lifted Father

Founder of Ethereum Vitalik Buterin. (Photo; Doc. AletaCripto)

JAKARTA - Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin recently caused a stir in the crypto community. Because Buterin decided to be Moo Deng's "lifter father", a pygmy hippo that went viral in Thailand, after donating more than 10 million Thai bahts (approximately 293,000 US dollars or Rp4.75 billion).

The funds were donated to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, where Moo Deng lives. The donation aims to support zoo operations, wildlife sponsorship programs, as well as the development of special facilities for Moo Deng and his family.

Buterin's decision to make this donation came after he visited the zoo. This donation is also an expression of Buterin's gratitude for the warm welcome he received during the Ethereum event in Thailand in 2024, including the SEA Devcon conference in November.

In a statement shared through social media platform X, Buterin revealed that this donation was a Christmas gift for Moo Deng, who is now one of the most known Thai celebrities on the international stage.

Moo Deng, who is a pygmy hippo, is a rarer species smaller than his relative, an ordinary hippopotamus. Moo Deng's name, which was selected through a public opinion poll, translates into "bouncy pork" or "bouncy pig" in English.

This hippo cub stole the global public's attention in early 2024, thanks to funny videos and pictures showing his agility and naughty behavior, especially when he tried to bite his guard.

Moo Deng's popularity is soaring thanks to the emergence of the MOODENG meme token. The token has been added to the Coinbase listing roadmap and has a market capitalization of more than US$ 270 million (Rp4.38 trillion), although it had peaked more than US$614 million (Rp9.95 trillion) in mid-November 2024.