The Last Week of 2024: Vitalik Buterin Adopts Moo Deng, James Howells Battles for Lost BTC, and More
Vitalik Buterin Adopts Moo Deng with 88 ETH Zoo Donation
In a heartwarming gesture, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has adopted a viral internet sensation, Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus from Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo. The zoo announced the adoption on December 26 in an X post, thanking Buterin for joining their Wildlife Sponsorship Program and adopting Moo Deng with a generous gift of 10 million THB ($292,000) for her family.
Moo Deng: A Viral Sensation
Moo Deng rose to fame in September due to her expressive personality and charming social media videos shared by the zoo. The adoption was met with excitement on social media platforms, with many praising Buterin’s kind gesture.
In response to the announcement, Buterin expressed his willingness to donate more than the current 88 Ether (ETH) or $292,000 to the zoo. This move not only highlights Buterin’s commitment to wildlife conservation but also demonstrates the growing influence of crypto figures in mainstream society.
James Howells Battles for Lost BTC
Meanwhile, James Howells, an IT engineer from Newport, Wales, continues his high-stakes legal battle to recover a hard drive containing private keys to 8,000 Bitcoin worth approximately $773 million. The drive was mistakenly disposed of in a landfill back in 2013.
A Crypto Legacy at Risk
The estimated $773 million in holdings is tied to the earliest days of the cryptocurrency market, making this case a significant milestone for crypto enthusiasts and investors alike. Howells remains optimistic about recovering the lost BTC, planning to compensate stakeholders, contribute to the crypto community, and potentially reinvest in blockchain projects.
South Korea Sanctions 15 North Koreans for Crypto Heists
In related news, South Korea has imposed sanctions against 15 North Korean IT organization members and one related group. The sanctioned agents are accused of procuring funds for North Korea’s nuclear missile development program through "overseas foreign currency-earning activities."
Crypto Hacks Wipe Out $2.3B in 2024
The crypto industry is grappling with a concerning trend – the rise of hacking incidents, which have wiped out over $2.3 billion worth of assets across 165 incidents this year alone. This represents a 40% increase compared to 2023, when hackers stole $1.69 billion worth of crypto.
Solana’s Jito Staking Pool Exceeds $100M in Monthly Tips
On a more positive note, Solana staking pool Jito clocked monthly revenues from priority fees and tips exceeding $100 million in November and December, according to Kairos Research. This reflects the surging popularity of the Solana network and highlights validators’ increasing earnings from prioritizing certain transactions over others.
DeFi Market Overview
The DeFi market saw a mixed week, with most of the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization ending in the green. The Bitget Token (BGB) rose over 81% as the week’s biggest winner, bolstered by the recent token merger between the previous Bitget Token (BGB) and Bitget Wallet Token (BWB).
Total Value Locked in DeFi
The total value locked in DeFi reached new highs, a testament to the growing adoption of decentralized finance solutions. This trend is expected to continue, driven by the increasing demand for secure, transparent, and accessible financial services.
Conclusion
As we wrap up this week’s most impactful DeFi developments, it’s clear that the crypto landscape is evolving rapidly. From Vitalik Buterin’s heartwarming adoption of Moo Deng to James Howells’ battle for lost BTC and the rise of hacking incidents, there’s no shortage of excitement and intrigue.
Join Us Next Week
Thanks for reading our summary of this week’s most impactful DeFi developments. Join us next Friday for more stories, insights, and education regarding this dynamically advancing space.