TL;DR
- The death of the popular squirrel “Peanut” sparked a wave of public outrage and criticism toward New York environmental authorities for their allegedly premeditated actions.
- The story took an unexpected turn when a Solana-based cryptocurrency called PeanutCoin (PNUT) emerged, reaching a market value of $2 billion in just 10 days.
- Despite losing 93% of its value since its peak, the PNUT phenomenon reignited the debate on animal rights and decentralization as a tool for social protest.
The story of Peanut, a rescued squirrel who rose to fame on social media for wearing tiny hats and eating waffles, shocked the United States after its tragic ending. Mark Longo, his caretaker, had raised Peanut since he was an orphaned baby, turning him into an Instagram icon with over 500,000 followers. Even national media outlets ran features celebrating his unique style and charm. However, that fame drew the attention of New York state environmental authorities, who claimed that keeping wild animals without a license was illegal.
What seemed like a minor issue quickly turned serious when a raccoon appeared at Longo’s sanctuary, raising public health concerns. In a series of internal emails, county officials were revealed to have pushed for the enforcement of the state’s rabies protocol, recommending that all wild animals be euthanized. Although the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) stated they had considered alternatives before the operation, they ultimately carried out a raid, confiscated Peanut, and euthanized him after he bit one of the agents.
Collective Grief Turns Into Crypto Activism
The news of Peanut’s euthanasia sparked a wave of outrage on social media, led by public figures like Elon Musk. Some conservative sectors even politicized the event, accusing the state government of overreach. It was within this emotional climate that “Peanut the Squirrel” (PNUT), a meme token built on Solana, was born as a symbolic protest and tribute to the squirrel.
Cryptocurrency as a Vehicle for Social Protest
PNUT reached a market value of $2 billion in just 10 days, a phenomenon comparable to Dogecoin or Shiba Inu. Although its price later dropped dramatically, the message was clear: cryptocurrencies are not just financial assets, they can also channel outrage, honor fallen figures, or challenge centralized systems. Far from being a mere joke, PNUT demonstrated the power of crypto communities as new forms of political expression.
In addition, some animal rights advocates are now exploring the use of blockchain technology to create decentralized emergency funds that would allow for real-time protection of vulnerable species. This could mark a turning point in how technology aligns itself with urgent social causes.
