Buterin Adopts MooDoge, Christmas Wishes for Lost $773 Million Bitcoin Wallet Revealed by Finance Redefined
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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, with an 88 Ether donation to the Thailand-based Khao Kheow Open Zoo. The zoo announced the adoption on December 26th in a post on X.
Thank you Vitalik Buterin for joining the Wildlife Sponsorship Program and adopting Moo Deng with a generous gift of 10,000,000 THB for her family!
According to reports, Moo Deng rose to viral popularity in September due to her expressive personality and charming social media videos shared by the zoo. In response to the announcement, Buterin expressed his willingness to donate even more than the current 88 Ether or $292,000 to the zoo.
James Howells Continues Fight for $773M BTC Recovery
In a high-stakes legal battle, IT engineer James Howells is fighting 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 and holds 2009-era Bitcoin.
According to an exclusive interview with Cointelegraph, Howells stated that the legal proceedings are ongoing, backed by a world-class legal team and advanced artificial intelligence technology trained in United Kingdom law. Despite the estimated $773 million in holdings being thrown out in 2013, 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.
South Korea Sanctions 15 North Koreans for Crypto Heists
South Korean hackers are pursuing 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 in Web3, including the $600 million Ronin network hack.
According to a December 26th news release by South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 15 North Korean IT organization members and one related group have been sanctioned 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.
According to a report shared by onchain security firm Cyvers, total annual funds loss increased by 40% compared to 2023, when hackers stole $1.69 billion worth of crypto. The sharp uptick in crypto hacks 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
Solana staking pool Jito clocked monthly revenues from priority fees and tips of more than $100 million in November and December, according to a December 26th note from Kairos Research. In 2024, Jito’s validators scaled tip revenues by an average of 32% each month, with monthly income peaking at about $210 million.
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).
The Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) coin was the week’s second-biggest gainer, up over 51% during the past week.
According to DefiLlama data, total value locked in DeFi remains high, with a significant increase in TVL across various protocols.
Conclusion
This week’s crypto news roundup highlights several key developments in the industry. From Vitalik Buterin’s 88 ETH donation to Moo Deng’s adoption, James Howells’ ongoing fight for $773M BTC recovery, and South Korea’s sanctions on North Korean hackers, there is much to discuss. Additionally, the recent surge in crypto hacks and the rise of DeFi protocols continue to shape the industry.
Join us next week for more stories, insights, and education regarding this dynamically advancing space!
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