Highlights
- Launch of a new Solana-based token tied to the story of Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon.
- Accusations against the crypto community for allegedly profiting off the incident.
- Growing market cap for the new token amid controversy.
The heartfelt story of Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon has taken a financial twist. Mark Longo, the owner of the two animals, has announced the launch of a Solana-based token named Justice for Pnut and Fred (JUSTICE). This comes after the public outcry over the tragic euthanization of the animals and growing accusations against the crypto community.
Longo revealed the token in a Twitter video, claiming it honors the memory of Peanut and Fred, who were kept at his animal sanctuary in Pine City, New York. The pets were euthanized following a government raid citing wildlife regulations. The incident quickly became a political flashpoint, drawing widespread criticism and public interest.
"This is about more than Peanut and Fred. It's about standing against overreach," Longo declared. He expressed frustration at the crypto community for allegedly profiting from his loss, calling their actions "despicable." Despite receiving substantial donations from supporters, he has launched the JUSTICE token as the sole cryptocurrency he plans to associate with.
The JUSTICE token has already gained traction, reaching over $53.8 million in market cap with more than 14,000 holders. It was minted using the DeFi meme coin platform, Pump.fun. However, the project faces skepticism from some members of the PNUT community, who highlight the substantial donations received by Longo, which they allege were immediately liquidated.
Peanut’s popularity as an internet sensation with over half a million followers had drawn considerable attention before the incident. The situation escalated after prominent figures, including Elon Musk and Vice President-elect JD Vance, commented on it. Musk’s tweets even spurred hype around another meme coin, PNUT, tied to the story, leading to increased market activity.
The controversy surrounding meme coins is not new. Recently, the artist behind the viral "Chill Guy" meme announced legal action against tokens using his artwork. This highlights the growing trend of meme coin projects leading to disputes over intellectual property and ethical concerns.
As the JUSTICE token continues to grow in market cap, the story underscores the intersection of personal stories, crypto innovation, and the challenges of maintaining ethical standards in decentralized finance.