Vitalik Buterin Adopts Moo Dong’s Lost $773 Million Bitcoin Wallet for Charity on Christmas
The Last Week of 2024: Crypto Adoption and Hacks
Vitalik Buterin Adopts Moo Deng with an 88 ETH Donation
In a heartwarming moment amidst the cryptocurrency community’s excitement for the new year, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin adopted Moo Deng, a viral internet sensation pygmy hippopotamus. This gesture was made possible through a generous donation of 88 Ether (ETH) to Thailand-based Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
Moo Deng rose to fame in September due to her charming social media videos shared by the zoo. In response to Buterin’s adoption announcement, he expressed his willingness to donate even more than the current 88 ETH ($292,000 USD) to the zoo.
James Howells’ Quest to Recover $773 Million Worth of Bitcoin
In a separate incident, IT engineer James Howells 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. This fortune is tied to the earliest days of the cryptocurrency market.
According to an exclusive interview with Cointelegraph, Howells is optimistic about recovering the lost BTC despite being barred access by the Newport City Council due to its environmental permit. He plans to compensate stakeholders, contribute to the crypto community, and potentially reinvest in blockchain projects if he succeeds in recovering the lost assets.
South Korea Sanctions 15 North Koreans for Crypto Heists
In another significant development, South Korea has imposed sanctions against 15 North Korean IT organization members and one related group. These individuals are accused of procuring funds for North Korea’s nuclear missile development program and the DPRK’s Munitions Industry Department through ‘overseas foreign currency-earning activities.’
This move follows the infamous Lazarus Group’s involvement in some of the most notorious cyber thefts in Web3, including the $600 million Ronin network hack. The sanctions aim to curb North Korea’s illicit activities in the cryptocurrency space.
Crypto Hacks Wipe Out $2.3 Billion in 2024
A concerning trend has emerged in the crypto industry with hackers stealing more than $2.3 billion worth of assets across 165 incidents in 2024, marking a 40% increase compared to 2023. The rise of access control breaches, particularly on centralized exchanges (CEXs) and crypto custodians, contributed significantly to this surge.
According to Deddy Lavid, co-founder and CEO of Cyvers, the 40% increase in crypto hacks is alarming and underscores the need for enhanced security measures within the Web3 ecosystem.
Solana’s Jito Staking Pool Exceeds $100 Million in Monthly Tips
On a more positive note, Solana staking pool Jito recorded monthly revenues from priority fees and tips exceeding $100 million in November and December. This significant increase reflects the Solana network’s surging popularity and highlights validators’ growing earnings from prioritizing certain transactions over others.
DeFi Market Overview
The week saw most of the 100 largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization end in the green, according to data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView. 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 second-biggest gainer, up over 51% during the past week. The total value locked in DeFi remains a significant indicator of market trends, with DefiLlama providing valuable insights into this dynamically advancing space.
Join us next Friday for more stories, insights, and education regarding this ever-evolving space.
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