Social media star Peanut the Squirrel euthanized, inspires $2.1B meme token
Peanut the Squirrel
In a story that’s captivated both animal lovers and the crypto community, Peanut the Squirrel—a beloved social media icon—was recently euthanized after being taken from his home in upstate New York by environment conservation authorities.
In a surprising turn of events, the incident sparked a frenzy in the world of cryptocurrency, leading to the creation of a meme token that’s now taking the market by storm.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seized Peanut, along with a raccoon named Fred, from Mark Longo’s home on Oct. 30, citing concerns about the illegal keeping of wildlife.
Longo, who had cared for Peanut for over seven years, was in the process of certifying the squirrel as an educational animal. Officials claimed they acted after receiving safety complaints, but the seizure—and subsequent euthanasia of Peanut—has led to public outrage. The DEC justified euthanizing Peanut to test for rabies after a reported bite incident, but test results came back negative.
In response to the tragic loss, Longo launched a meme token named “Peanut the Squirrel” (PNUT) as a tribute to his beloved pet. The token quickly gained traction after endorsements from big names like Justin Sun, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump Jr., driving its popularity and fueling investor excitement.
However, the turning point for PNUT came when it was officially listed on the Binance. The listing catapulted the token’s valuation beyond $2.1 billion, with its price surging to $2.5 per token. The Binance listing, coupled with high-profile endorsements, sent the crypto community into a frenzy, with thousands of new investors jumping in.
What began as a heartfelt tribute has now transformed into a viral crypto sensation, showing once again how the digital world can turn a personal tragedy into a phenomenon. “Peanut the Squirrel” token’s meteoric rise is not only honoring Peanut’s legacy but also making waves across the meme token landscape.
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