#MOODENG以太链
The connection between Vitalik Buterin and hippos mainly stems from his donations and adoption activities at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, detailed as follows:
Direct connection between Vitalik and hippos
1. Donations and Adoption
◦ In December 2024, Vitalik donated 10 million Thai Baht (approximately $300,000) and 88 ETH to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, becoming the 'adoptive father' of a pygmy hippo named Moo Deng (which means 'bouncing pig' in Thai).
◦ This initiative aims to support the zoo's facility upgrades, wildlife conservation programs, and the improvement of Moo Deng's habitat. Vitalik stated on social media: "May they live long and prosper" (quoting a line from Star Trek).
2. The Influence of Moo Deng
◦ Moo Deng became popular on social media due to its adorable image and interactive videos, becoming one of Thailand's cultural symbols, leading to the creation of the MOODENG meme coin on the ETH chain.
◦ Vitalik's donation and adoption further boosted the popularity of the MOODENG token, which at one point had a market value exceeding $180 million (in November 2024), but later fell back due to market fluctuations.
Clarification about #EtherHippo
• Project Background: The #EtherHippo mentioned by users (contract address: 0x28561b8a2360f463011c16b6cc0b0cbef8dbbcad) may be an independent project and should be verified for its connection to Vitalik or Moo Deng via a blockchain explorer.
• Vitalik's Role:
◦ Current public information shows that Vitalik has only an indirect connection to the MOODENG token on the ETH chain (due to the adoption of Moo Deng), and has not directly participated in or endorsed the #EtherHippo project.
◦ If #EtherHippo claims to be associated with Vitalik or Moo Deng, caution should be exercised regarding potential marketing hype, and verification is advised through the following methods:
◦ Check the project's whitepaper, team information, and community activity;
◦ Analyze on-chain data (such as token holder address distribution, trading activity);
◦ Confirm if there are any official collaboration statements or public comments from Vitalik himself.
Summary
• The core connection between Vitalik and hippos: Through donations and the adoption of Moo Deng, he indirectly boosted the popularity of the MOODENG meme coin and directly participated in ETH hippo-themed projects.
