Peanut the Squirrel
$PNUT| Ticker | $PNUT |
|---|---|
| Blockchain | Solana |
| Launch Date | November 1, 2024 |
| Launch Platform | Pump.fun |
| ATH Market Cap | $1.3 billion |
| ATH Price | $2.47 |
| Current Market Cap | ~$71 million |
| Total Supply | 999,842,587 PNUT |
| Creator | Anonymous |
| Status | Graduated |
| Categories | |
| Exchanges | Binance, OKX, Gate, Coinbase |
Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT) is a Solana-based memecoin created as a tribute to Peanut, a rescued eastern gray squirrel who became an internet sensation with over 500,000 Instagram followers. The token launched on November 1, 2024, and exploded in value after Elon Musk posted about the squirrel's controversial euthanasia by New York authorities.
Background Story
Peanut was an eastern gray squirrel rescued and cared for by Mark Longo in New York. Through his Instagram account, Peanut gained massive popularity, amassing over 500,000 followers who loved watching the squirrel perform tricks and wear tiny hats.
In late October 2024, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) seized Peanut from Longo's home. The squirrel was subsequently euthanized, reportedly as part of rabies testing protocol, despite Peanut having lived with Longo for years without incident.
The euthanasia sparked massive public outrage, with many viewing it as government overreach. The timing, just days before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, added a political dimension to the story.
Launch & Growth
The PNUT token was launched on Pump.fun on November 1, 2024, by an anonymous creator. Initially, the token had a modest market cap of around $3 million.
On November 2, 2024, Elon Musk posted about Peanut on X (Twitter), causing an immediate explosion in interest. Within 24 hours, the token's market cap skyrocketed from approximately $3 million to $140 million - a gain of over 4,500%.
The momentum continued, and by November 13, 2024, following a listing on Binance, PNUT reached an all-time high market cap of $1.3 billion, briefly entering the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market cap, surpassing established projects like Jupiter (JUP) and Pyth Network (PYTH).
Why It Went Viral
- Emotional Story: The euthanasia of a beloved internet pet created genuine outrage
- Elon Musk Endorsement: His post provided massive visibility and legitimacy
- Political Timing: Occurred days before the 2024 U.S. election, becoming a symbol of government overreach
- Memetic Potential: The story was easily shareable and emotionally resonant
- Major Exchange Listings: Binance and other major exchanges listed the token quickly
Key Events Timeline
Political Controversy
The story of Peanut became intertwined with political narratives during the 2024 U.S. election. Some conservative commentators used Peanut's euthanasia as an example of government overreach, while critics argued the token capitalized on a tragic situation.
See Also
- Pump.fun - The platform where PNUT was launched
- Goatseus Maximus (GOAT) - Another viral Pump.fun token
- Moo Deng (MOODENG) - Another animal-themed viral token