Ethereum Founder Gives 430 Million Won Christmas Gift to Thai Hippo 'Mudeng'

Vitalik Buterin Donates 10 Million Baht to 'Mudeung' Zoo

The female pygmy hippopotamus "Mudeung," born last June at Khao Kheow Zoo in Chonburi Province, central Thailand. Photo by Yonhap News

Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, delivered a Christmas gift worth 10 million baht (approximately 430 million KRW) to 'Mudeng,' a baby hippo gaining worldwide popularity in Thailand.

Local media such as the Bangkok Post and The Straits Times reported on the 27th (local time) that Buterin donated 10 million baht to Khao Kheow Zoo in Chonburi Province, central Thailand, where Mudeng resides. Earlier, the zoo announced this donation news via Facebook.

Buterin visited the zoo last month on the 19th wearing a shirt featuring Mudeng. He personally saw Mudeng and later sent a letter to the zoo expressing his intention to donate.

In the letter, Buterin wrote, "Is there anything better than giving a Christmas gift to Mudeng, who is precious to all Thai people?" He added, "I gladly accepted the proposal to become Mudeng’s honorary foster parent and to donate more than 10 million baht in his name while he grows."

Buterin continued, "I was deeply impressed by the zoo’s dedication to animal welfare and animal-related education and promotion," and added, "I was pleased to hear about the zoo’s improvement plans."

The zoo plans to use the donated funds to create a new 1,600㎡ area for Mudeng and his hippo family.

The zoo operates an animal sponsorship program where donors become honorary 'foster parents' of the animals they support.

Meanwhile, according to the cryptocurrency media The Defiant, following the announcement of this donation, the price and trading volume of the 'Mudeng' meme coin named after the hippo surged. Meme coins are cryptocurrencies created for fun, reflecting online trends.

After news spread that Buterin adopted Mudeng, the price of the Mudeng meme coin rose by about 70%, and its trading volume increased by 1,037%.