Vitalik Buterin Adopts Moo Deng with 88 ETH Zoo Donation
In a heartwarming gesture, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has adopted Moo Deng, a viral internet sensation pygmy hippopotamus from the Thailand-based Khao Kheow Open Zoo. The donation of 10,000,000 THB (approximately $292,000) is a generous gift to support the zoo’s Wildlife Sponsorship Program.
A Viral Sensation
Moo Deng rose to fame in September with her expressive personality and charming social media videos shared by the Thailand-based zoo. Her popularity has been unmatched, and Buterin’s adoption has further cemented her status as an internet celebrity.
All I Wanted for Christmas was My $773M BTC Back – James Howells’ Quest
James Howells, an IT engineer from Newport, Wales, is engaged in a high-stakes legal battle to recover a hard drive containing private keys to 8,000 Bitcoin worth approximately $773 million. The drive, mistakenly disposed of in a landfill back in 2013, holds 2009-era Bitcoin representing a fortune tied to the earliest days of the cryptocurrency market.
A Legal Battle
Despite being barred access by the Newport City Council due to its environmental permit, Howells remains optimistic and plans to compensate stakeholders, contribute to the crypto community, and potentially reinvest in blockchain projects if he recovers the lost BTC. The estimated $773 million in holdings is a significant sum, and Howells’ determination to recover it showcases his dedication to the cryptocurrency space.
South Korea Sanctions 15 North Koreans for Crypto Heists and Cyber Theft
North Korean hackers are being pursued by governments worldwide that blame them for more than half of the value of cryptocurrency stolen during 2024. The infamous Lazarus Group is a prime suspect in some of the most notorious cyber thefts, including the $600 million Ronin network hack.
A Growing Concern
South Korea is the latest country to impose sanctions against 15 North Korean IT organization members and one related group for allegedly procuring funds for North Korea’s nuclear missile development program and the DPRK’s Munitions Industry Department through "overseas foreign currency-earning activities."
Crypto Hacks Wipe Out $2.3B in 2024, Marking 40% YoY Surge
Cryptocurrency hackers in 2024 surpassed the previous year’s achievements, stealing more than $2.3 billion worth of crypto from the Web3 ecosystem, a concerning sign for the industry’s mainstream acceptance.
A Rise in Hacks
Crypto hacks saw a sharp uptick, driven by the appeal of increasing cryptocurrency valuations as Bitcoin (BTC) surpassed the $100,000 mark for the first time on Dec. 6. The 40% increase was mainly attributed to the rise of access control breaches, particularly in centralized exchanges (CEXs) and crypto custodians.
Solana’s Jito Staking Pool Exceeds $100M in Monthly Tips: Kairos Research
Solana staking pool Jito clocked monthly revenues from priority fees and tips of more than $100 million in November and December, according to a Dec. 26 note from Kairos Research, a cryptocurrency researcher.
A Growing Trend
In 2024, Jito’s validators scaled tip revenues by an average of 32% each month, with monthly income peaking in November at about $210 million. Jito’s increasing tip revenue reflects the Solana network’s surging popularity and flags validators’ increasing earnings from prioritizing certain transactions over others.
DeFi Market Overview
According to data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView, most of the 100 largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization ended the week 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).
