What Is Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT): The Meme Coin That Made The Internet Cry
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In the meme coin crowd, where countless tokens fight for fleeting attention, Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT) carved its own path.
Unlike the countless meme coins fueled by FOMO and speculative gains, PNUT struck a deeply emotional chord. Inspired by the real-life story of Peanut, a rescued squirrel who touched millions of hearts online, this coin embodies more than just humor or hype.
But how did PNUT rise above the noise of countless tokens? And why did this meme coin resonate so deeply with the online community?
Let’s break down the story of PNUT, the meme coin that transformed a heartfelt tale into a blockchain movement.
Who Is Peanut the Squirrel?
Peanut the Squirrel, also known as P'Nut or PNUT, was an Eastern gray squirrel who became an internet sensation due to his close bond with his owner, Mark Longo.
Peanut was rescued by Mark Longo after witnessing the squirrel's mother being killed by a car in New York City in 2017. Longo took Peanut in, initially intending to rehabilitate and release him back into the wild. However, after an unsuccessful attempt where Peanut returned injured, Longo decided to keep him as a pet.
Over the years, Peanut garnered significant attention on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, where he amassed over half a million followers. Videos and images of Peanut showed him engaging in various antics, eating treats like waffles, and interacting with Longo and other animals in human-like ways.
The story took a tragic turn when, in October 2024, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) seized Peanut along with another pet, a raccoon named Fred, from Longo's home. This action was based on complaints regarding the illegal keeping of wildlife as pets. After Peanut reportedly bit an official involved in the investigation, both Peanut and Fred were euthanized to test for rabies — the test results came back “negative”.
The seizure and subsequent euthanasia of Peanut sparked widespread outrage and sadness among his followers and the broader online community. The incident led to public outcry follwoing petitions, fundraisers, and calls for legal action against what many perceived as excessive use of authority by the DEC.
This event even prompted proposed legislation named "Peanut's Law: Humane Animal Protection Act," aiming to amend New York law to prevent similar incidents.
Following his death, Peanut inspired a meme coin called "$PNUT" on the Solana blockchain, turning the memory of the squirrel into a digital asset that captured the internet's attention.
What Is PNUT Crypto?
PNUT crypto is a meme coin created as a tribute to Peanut the Squirrel shortly after his death. It was intended to honor his memory and capitalize on the outpouring of grief and sympathy from his online community.
The creator of PNUT remains anonymous, which is common in the world of meme coins where the focus is often on the community rather than the founder. However, it's known that the token was launched using the pump.fun platform on Solana, which allows for the creation of meme coins based on trending topics or stories.
PNUT was launched in early November 2024, shortly after Peanut the Squirrel's passing. It was created on the Solana blockchain, known for its fast transaction speeds and low fees.
The meme coin began trading on Solana DEXs like Raydium and Orca. Within days of its launch, PNUT's market capitalization soared past $120 million, thanks in part to its viral story, community backing, and listings on major exchanges.
One significant catalyst for its growth was its listing on Binance, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges. After this announcement, PNUT's market cap escalated to over $1 billion within 48 hours, reflecting the massive speculative interest.
The token saw its price increase by over 280% in 24 hours post-listing, with weekly gains exceeding 1,100%.
Elon Musk And PNUT
Elon Musk, leveraging his massive following on X (formerly known as Twitter), commented on the story of Peanut the Squirrel.
His posts included criticism of the government's action to euthanize Peanut, with statements like, "The government should not be allowed to barge into your house and kill your pet!" This drew significant attention to the narrative surrounding Peanut, indirectly spotlighting the PNUT meme coin.
Musk's involvement turned the story into a broader discussion about animal rights, government overreach, and the cultural impact of internet phenomena. His engagement with the topic increased visibility and emotional investment in Peanut's story, which in turn bolstered interest in PNUT.
Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT) Tokenomics
PNUT has a total supply of just under 1 billion tokens, all of which are already in circulation. This fixed supply cap is a common feature among cryptocurrencies to create a sense of scarcity, potentially driving up value if demand increases.
Given PNUT's origin from a viral story and celebrity endorsements, its value is heavily driven by market sentiment, social media trends, and speculative trading. Therefore, we encourage you to be extremely cautious when investing in extremely high-risk assets like meme coins.
How To Buy Peanut the Squirrel Meme Coin
Buying Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT) is a straightforward process. Below, we outline two methods to get your hands on this popular meme coin.
Method 1: Buy On A Centralized Exchange
Choose a Platform
Select a reputable cryptocurrency exchange like Binance that supports PNUT trading.
Create and Verify Your Account
Sign up for an account on the platform and complete the required KYC (Know Your Customer) verification.
Deposit Funds
Deposit funds into your exchange account using your preferred payment method, such as a bank transfer, credit card, or cryptocurrency deposit.
Buy PNUT
Search for the PNUT trading pair (e.g., PNUT/USDT) and place a buy order.
Store Safely
- Option A: Keep your PNUT in the exchange wallet for easy access and trading.
- Option B: Withdraw PNUT to your personal wallet for added security and full control over your assets.
Method 2: Buy PNUT With The Help Of Transak
Buy Solana via Transak
Use Transak to purchase Solana (SOL) directly into your wallet:
- Select Solana as your desired cryptocurrency.
- Choose your preferred payment method (credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.).
- Enter your wallet address, and Solana will arrive in your wallet in minutes.
Connect to a Solana DEX
- Use a decentralized exchange (DEX) like Raydium or Orca.
- Connect your wallet to the DEX.
Swap Solana for PNUT
- Search for the PNUT token on the DEX.
- Specify the amount of SOL you want to swap for PNUT.
- Confirm the transaction, and the PNUT tokens will be transferred to your wallet.
Conclusion
Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT) proves that meme coins can be more than just hype — they can connect communities through shared stories. To secure your PNUT tokens, use reliable wallets:
- Hot Wallets: Phantom, Solflare, or Slope for convenience and quick access.
- Cold Wallets: Ledger Nano X or Trezor for maximum security.
Always opt for popular Solana wallets to ensure compatibility and enhanced protection. Whether PNUT remains a viral sensation or matures into a lasting crypto asset, its journey showcases the evolving role of memes in the blockchain space.
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