Cutest thing on internet today: Memecoin named after baby hippo
Moo Deng, a baby hippo from Thailand, is stealing hearts everywhere! This adorable little guy's antics—like running, playing, eating, sleeping, and getting bathed by zookeepers—are going viral all over the world. And guess what? She's so famous now that there's even a memecoin named after her, giving some savvy investors a pretty sweet profit!
Moo Deng memecoin skyrockets on Solana platform
The Moo Deng meme coin made its debut on September 11 on Solana, a decentralized blockchain platform. As the internet's obsession with the baby hippo took off, the coin's value did too. In just a week, it shot up by almost 1400% and hit a market cap of $300 million (₹24,885 crore approx.) last week, according to crypto watchers.
Investors reap massive returns from Moo Deng memecoin
In just 15 days, an $800 (₹66,360 approx.) investment in the Moo Deng memecoin grew to a staggering $3.5 million (₹29.3 crore approx.), according to data from Arkham. The popularity of the coin has also led to the creation of memecoins for Moo Deng's mother Jonah and siblings Moo Toon and Moo Waan. An unofficial Twitter fan page for Moo Deng has garnered nearly 50,000 followers, further fueling interest in the token.
Moo Deng's fame attracts big companies
Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus born in July 2024 at Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha, Chonburi province, is an endangered species from West Africa. Her viral fame has attracted the attention of major companies like Microsoft, DreamWorks, and Universal Pictures. These corporations have joined the frenzy by creating and sharing memes on social media featuring Moo Deng. Even German football club Bayern Munich has shared Moo Deng "reactions" related to their UEFA League performance.
Moo Deng: From meme sensation to pop culture icon
Not just cryptocurrency, but Moo Deng has also impacted pop culture, inspiring cakes, meme templates, latte art, clothing, and even makeup tutorials. The latest trend, "Moo Deng makeup," features a glazed look with peachy-pink blush, and Sephora has referenced Moo Deng to promote blush products in Thailand. As the hippo's popularity soars, zoo authorities are taking steps to trademark and copyright "Moo Deng the hippo" to prevent commercial exploitation.
Facts about pygmy hippos
Pygmy hippos, the smallest species of hippo, are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 2,500 mature individuals left in the wild as of 2015. Native to West Africa, pygmy hippos are extinct in Nigeria, though small populations still survive in other parts of the region. These nocturnal animals thrive in forested areas near rivers, streams, and swamps, feeding on grasses, leaves, shoots, and fruit. They remain elusive and less studied due to their solitary nature.
