- Vitalik Buterin adopted the viral internet sensation Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus from a Thailand zoo, with an 88 Ether donation
- James Howells is fighting a legal battle to recover a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins (worth around $773 million) that he accidentally threw away in 2013
- South Korea sanctioned 15 North Korean individuals and one organization for allegedly using cryptocurrency hacking to fund North Korea’s nuclear missile program
The last week of 2024 was an eventful period in the cryptocurrency universe. From Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, adopting viral sensation Moo Deng, to the ongoing legal battles of James Howells over his lost Bitcoin fortune, the week was filled with riveting developments.
Vitalik Buterin’s Adoption of Moo Deng and His Generous Donation
In an exciting turn of events, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin adopted Moo Deng, the pygmy hippopotamus that captured the internet’s heart with her expressive personality and charming social media videos. Buterin’s adoption came with an 88 Ether donation to the Thailand-based Khao Kheow Open Zoo, where Moo Deng resides. The adoption announcement received a warm response from Buterin who hinted at the possibility of donating even more in the future.
The Struggle of James Howells to Recover His Lost Bitcoin Fortune
James Howells, an IT engineer from Newport, Wales, continues his high-stakes legal battle to recover a hard drive containing the private keys to 8,000 Bitcoin, valued at around $773 million. The hard drive, accidentally disposed of in a landfill in 2009, holds Bitcoin from the early days of the cryptocurrency market. Despite current legal restrictions preventing him from accessing the landfill, Howells remains hopeful, intending to contribute to the crypto community and invest in blockchain projects if he recovers the lost Bitcoin.
South Korea’s Sanctions Against North Korean Crypto Thieves
Governments worldwide, including South Korea, are cracking down on North Korean hackers, holding them responsible for more than half of the cryptocurrency stolen in 2024. South Korea has imposed sanctions against 15 members of North Korean IT organizations and one related group, who they believe have funded North Korea’s nuclear missile development program through their illicit activities.
The Unsettling Rise in Cryptocurrency Hacks
The year 2024 saw an unprecedented surge in cryptocurrency hacks, with thieves making off with more than $23 billion from the Web3 ecosystem. This development is a significant concern for the industry’s mainstream acceptance. The increase in thefts is attributed mainly to access control breaches in centralized exchanges (CEXs) and crypto custodians.
The Success of Solana’s Jito Staking Pool and the Rise of DeFi
Solana staking pool Jito achieved impressive revenues in November and December, exceeding $100 million in monthly fees and tips. This increase reflects the growing popularity of the Solana network and the increasing earnings of validators through the practice of Maximum Extractable Value (MEV).
Conclusion
With the last week of 2024 ending on such a high note, the cryptocurrency market looks set for an eventful 2025. From Vitalik Buterin’s philanthropic gestures to the significant legal battles and sanctions against crypto thieves, it’s evident that the crypto market is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Stakeholders, investors, and crypto enthusiasts will undoubtedly keep a keen eye on these developments as we move into the new year.
