Internet Sensation Moo Deng Inspires Meme Coin, Now Worth Over $120 Million

Moo Deng, the adorable baby pygmy hippo residing at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, has become an internet sensation, inspiring a Solana-based meme coin that has skyrocketed to a $121 million market cap.

Moo Deng's rise to fame began with a series of viral videos showcasing her endearingly chubby cheeks, playful demeanor, and perpetually moist appearance. The internet quickly fell in love with the "bouncy pork" (the English translation of her Thai name), and her popularity exploded.

Capitalizing on this viral phenomenon, a meme coin named Moo Deng (MOODENG) was launched on Pump.fun on September 10th. The token has attracted over 14,900 unique wallet holders and generated $63 million in trading volume within the last 24 hours. This surge in popularity has positioned MOODENG among the top meme coins on Solana. The hippo is now Solana's 8th largest meme coin by market cap. 

One trader capitalized on the hype and popularity of the hippo meme coin, turning an initial investment of $1,331 into an impressive $3.4 million, marking a remarkable 2554x return. 

Interestingly, the platform where MOODENG was launched, Pump.fun, has also experienced a surge in activity. The meme creation platform has seen renewed interest, and its revenue has surpassed $600k for the first time in the last 30 days, which is likely fueled by the recent wave of new meme coin creations. 

The Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, recognizing Moo Deng's widespread appeal, has launched a 24/7 livestream of the hippo enclosure to cater to her global fanbase. This initiative aims to manage the overwhelming crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the internet star.

The Moo Deng phenomenon has extended beyond individual users, capturing the attention of major corporations like Dreamworks and UFC, leveraging the hippo's popularity for their meme creations.

This remarkable success story highlights the power of internet trends and meme culture in cryptocurrency. While the Khao Kheow Open Zoo is reportedly exploring options to copyright and trademark "Moo Deng the Hippo," the meme coin's rapid ascent underscores the challenges of controlling intellectual property in the digital age.