Thailand’s celebrity pygmy hippo Moo Deng is making another football prediction, this time choosing Argentina to win the World Cup 2026 final against Spain.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha district, Chon Buri, organised the activity on July 18 to add colour to the build-up to the World Cup final and entertain visitors at the zoo.
Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi led the nutrition team in preparing two sets of fruit as animal enrichment, with the names of Spain (ESP) and Argentina (ARG) carved into the displays and decorated with national flags.
Moo Deng’s keeper, Atthaphon, then released the pygmy hippo to choose the team she believed would lift the trophy. Moo Deng walked straight to the Argentina fruit set without hesitation, drawing cheers from the crowd of visitors watching the activity.
Moo Deng, the celebrity pygmy hippo, chomping down on the Argentina fruit set.
PHOTO: THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
The activity was described as a chance for Moo Deng to make amends after two previous incorrect predictions in final matches. She had earlier picked France over Spain and England over Argentina.
Narongwit said the activity was intended to create happiness and smiles for visitors while also supporting animal enrichment. He said the fruit display helped encourage exercise, reduce stress and allow animals to express natural behaviour while receiving proper nutrition.
He added that the zoo’s intention was purely to promote the venue and bring joy to football fans, regardless of whether Moo Deng’s prediction matched the final result.
He stressed that the activity was not intended to promote gambling in any form. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
BANGKOK - Moo Deng has backed France and England to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after making her selections from flag-marked watermelon halves at Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
The light-hearted prediction was staged at the zoo in Si Racha district, Chonburi, on July 14 as the tournament entered its closing stages.
Tourists and football fans gathered around the pygmy hippo enclosure to watch Moo Deng choose between France and Spain in the first semi-final pairing and England and Argentina in the second.
Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi and Moo Deng’s keeper, known as Benz, prepared watermelon halves representing the four semi-finalists.
The team names were carved into the fruit, while a miniature national flag was inserted into the rind of each watermelon half.
Zoo officials displayed the France- and Spain-marked watermelons before placing them directly on the wet concrete floor inside the shallow pool area of Moo Deng’s enclosure.
The two watermelon halves were positioned a short distance apart, allowing Moo Deng to make her choice by approaching and eating from one of them.
France gets Moo Deng’s first voteFor the first prediction, Moo Deng was presented with watermelon halves marked with the French and Spanish flags.
As soon as she was allowed into the area, the pygmy hippo walked directly towards the watermelon bearing the French flag and began eating it.
Her choice prompted cheers and smiles from visitors watching from outside the enclosure.
The selection represented a prediction that France would defeat Spain and advance to the World Cup final.
England selected ahead of ArgentinaMoo Deng was then presented with another pair of watermelon halves representing England and Argentina.
She headed towards the watermelon marked with the English flag, completing her prediction that England would win the second semi-final.
Moo Deng’s two selections therefore produced a predicted World Cup final between France and England.
The result was intended purely as a playful forecast, with the zoo stressing that there was no guarantee the results on the pitch would match Moo Deng’s choices.
Animal enrichmentNarongwit said the activity was not organised solely to entertain visitors and football supporters.
It was also designed as part of the zoo’s animal-enrichment programme, under which food and other stimuli are used to encourage animals to move around, exercise and display natural behaviour.
The activity can help reduce stress while giving the animals appropriate portions of food in line with their nutritional requirements, he said.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo said Moo Deng’s World Cup prediction was intended to create an enjoyable atmosphere for visitors and promote the organisation.
The zoo also stressed that the event was not intended to encourage or support gambling in any form. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Internet sensation Moo Deng is set to celebrate her second birthday this week, with her home zoo gearing up for a three-day festival.
The pygmy hippopotamus, whose chaotic antics and perpetually startled expression have propelled her to global superstardom, turns two on Friday.
To mark the milestone, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand’s Chonburi province, east of Bangkok, announced the “Moo Deng Happy Deng Day” festival from 10 to 12 July.
On her birthday, the celebrity calf will see visitors join a mass sing-along around her enclosure and eat a specially crafted, hippo-friendly birthday cake made of her favourite vegetables.
Her first birthday was also celebrated with a days-long festival attended by throngs of adoring fans. The highlights included a birthday cake sponsored by a skincare entrepreneur at a cost of almost £2,100, mascot parades, and a photo exhibition, titled “Moo Deng in Every Moment”, chronicling her journey from a 5kg newborn to a 93kg toddler, according to The Nation.
Moo Deng eats a cake with her mother Jonah during her first birthday celebration at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in 2025 (Getty)This year, organisers are preparing for thousands of fans to descend on the park. They are offering free admission throughout the three-day festival for children aged 12 and under as well as to senior citizens over 60.
The festival will feature daily wildlife mascot parades, game booths, and a dedicated station where fans can write birthday cards to the toddler hippo.
Visitors will also get a rare chance to meet Moo Deng’s keepers for behind-the-scenes insights into her daily routine.
For dedicated collectors, the zoo is releasing a highly exclusive "Moo Deng Tail Print" souvenir. Limited to just 999 pieces worldwide, the collectible is priced at around £43, with the proceeds going towards wildlife conservation. Local vendors will set up stalls showcasing regional Thai food and handicrafts.
Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi said that the festival would also launch "Hippo Village", a major modernisation project for the habitat.
The initiative aims to significantly improve animal welfare and expand conservation education, ensuring the global spotlight on Moo Deng leaves a lasting legacy for her species.
Children pose for pictures with a giant Moo Deng during a celebration of her first birthday at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo (Getty)Moo Deng – meaning "bouncy pork" in Thai – was born on 10 July 2024 and quickly rose to stardom after her keeper, Atthapon Nundee, began sharing her antics online. The videos went viral, prompting the zoo to livestream her enclosure and capitalise on her fame with corporate sponsorship deals and merchandise.
In the final quarter of 2024 alone, Khao Kheow Open Zoo saw visitor numbers triple to 600,000.
Moo Deng appeared in a Saturday Night Live sketch and correctly predicted Donald Trump’s 2024 US presidential win by choosing between two vegetable cakes. Google honoured her with a doodle, and a Thai music label released a viral techno anthem bearing her name.
Her popularity has begun to dip in recent months, however, mirroring the short-lived fame of other internet-famous animals like China’s Hua Hua the panda and Australia’s Pesto the penguin. Still, Mr Nundee insists Moo Deng enjoys the attention.
The pygmy hippopotamus is an endangered species, native to West Africa, with fewer than 2,500 left in the wild according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Internet sensation Moo Deng is set to celebrate her second birthday this week, with her home zoo gearing up for a three-day festival.
The pygmy hippopotamus, whose chaotic antics and perpetually startled expression have propelled her to global superstardom, turns two on Friday.
To mark the milestone, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand’s Chonburi province, east of Bangkok, announced the “Moo Deng Happy Deng Day” festival from 10 to 12 July.
On her birthday, the celebrity calf will see visitors join a mass sing-along around her enclosure and eat a specially crafted, hippo-friendly birthday cake made of her favourite vegetables.
Her first birthday was also celebrated with a days-long festival attended by throngs of adoring fans. The highlights included a birthday cake sponsored by a skincare entrepreneur at a cost of almost £2,100, mascot parades, and a photo exhibition, titled “Moo Deng in Every Moment”, chronicling her journey from a 5kg newborn to a 93kg toddler, according to The Nation.
Moo Deng eats a cake with her mother Jonah during her first birthday celebration at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in 2025 (Getty)This year, organisers are preparing for thousands of fans to descend on the park. They are offering free admission throughout the three-day festival for children aged 12 and under as well as to senior citizens over 60.
The festival will feature daily wildlife mascot parades, game booths, and a dedicated station where fans can write birthday cards to the toddler hippo.
Visitors will also get a rare chance to meet Moo Deng’s keepers for behind-the-scenes insights into her daily routine.
For dedicated collectors, the zoo is releasing a highly exclusive "Moo Deng Tail Print" souvenir. Limited to just 999 pieces worldwide, the collectible is priced at around £43, with the proceeds going towards wildlife conservation. Local vendors will set up stalls showcasing regional Thai food and handicrafts.
Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi said that the festival would also launch "Hippo Village", a major modernisation project for the habitat.
The initiative aims to significantly improve animal welfare and expand conservation education, ensuring the global spotlight on Moo Deng leaves a lasting legacy for her species.
Children pose for pictures with a giant Moo Deng during a celebration of her first birthday at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo (Getty)Moo Deng – meaning "bouncy pork" in Thai – was born on 10 July 2024 and quickly rose to stardom after her keeper, Atthapon Nundee, began sharing her antics online. The videos went viral, prompting the zoo to livestream her enclosure and capitalise on her fame with corporate sponsorship deals and merchandise.
In the final quarter of 2024 alone, Khao Kheow Open Zoo saw visitor numbers triple to 600,000.
Moo Deng appeared in a Saturday Night Live sketch and correctly predicted Donald Trump’s 2024 US presidential win by choosing between two vegetable cakes. Google honoured her with a doodle, and a Thai music label released a viral techno anthem bearing her name.
Her popularity has begun to dip in recent months, however, mirroring the short-lived fame of other internet-famous animals like China’s Hua Hua the panda and Australia’s Pesto the penguin. Still, Mr Nundee insists Moo Deng enjoys the attention.
The pygmy hippopotamus is an endangered species, native to West Africa, with fewer than 2,500 left in the wild according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
CHONBURI – Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi is preparing to welcome tourists and fans for a three-day celebration marking the second birthday of Moo Deng, Thailand’s world-famous pygmy hippopotamus.
The event, titled “Moo Deng HAPPY Deng DAY,” will be held from July 10 to 12, 2026, at the hippopotamus enclosure at Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi said the celebration will also mark the launch of an exhibition for the new Hippo Village project, a planned exhibit-area development designed to improve animal welfare and create a more modern learning experience for visitors.
The birthday festival is expected to bring renewed attention to Moo Deng, whose baby pictures and playful personality turned her into one of Thailand’s biggest animal celebrities in 2024 before the initial online frenzy softened as she grew older.
Viral star returns to the spotlightMoo Deng became a global sensation shortly after her birth on July 10, 2024, with videos and photos of the tiny pygmy hippo spreading quickly across social media. Her name, often translated as “bouncy pork”, became familiar far beyond Thailand, helping turn Khao Kheow Open Zoo into a must-visit stop for many domestic and international tourists.
At the height of Moo Deng fever, visitors flocked to the zoo to see her in person, while brands and fans embraced her image through memes, merchandise and online fan content. The surge was so strong that the zoo had to manage viewing times and visitor flow to protect the animal and maintain order around the enclosure.
As Moo Deng grew beyond her baby stage, the wave of online attention appeared to cool from its viral peak.
However, the zoo’s second birthday celebration is being positioned as a chance to bring fans back to Chonburi and reconnect Moo Deng’s popularity with wildlife education, family tourism and animal welfare.
Birthday cake, fan meeting and keeper teamOn July 10, Moo Deng’s actual birthday, visitors will be invited to join a birthday song activity and present a special birthday cake to the pygmy hippo.
Fans will also be able to take part in a fan meeting with “Captain Wit” and members of Moo Deng’s popular keeper team, including Phi Benz, Phi Nick and Phi Toad, together with the Zoo Keeper Creator team.
The zoo said the activities are designed to create a warm, family-friendly atmosphere while allowing visitors to learn more about the daily work of animal keepers and the care of pygmy hippos.
Hippo Village project to be showcasedA key highlight of the event will be the exhibition for Hippo Village, a new development project for the hippopotamus display area.
According to the zoo, the project aims to raise the quality of life for animals while offering visitors a more engaging and up-to-date educational experience. The exhibition will introduce the concept and planned development of the new hippo zone to the public during the birthday festival.
The project also reflects the zoo’s effort to move Moo Deng’s fame beyond short-term internet popularity and towards long-term conservation awareness and responsible tourism.
Three days of activities for families and fansThroughout the three-day event, visitors can enjoy a range of activities around the venue, including a wildlife mascot parade, game booths with prizes, a birthday card-writing activity for Moo Deng, and the sale of exclusive Moo Deng souvenirs.
Local products from Chonburi will also be available through One Tambon One Product booths, adding a community tourism element to the celebration.
The zoo hopes the festival will encourage families, tourists and fans to spend more time in Chonburi while supporting local products and zoo-based learning activities.
Free admission for children and seniorsFrom July 10 to 12, Khao Kheow Open Zoo will offer free admission to children aged 12 or under, or those no taller than 135cm as well as visitors aged 60 and above.
The free-entry offer applies throughout the event period, although vehicle entry fees will still be charged.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo is inviting tourists and Moo Deng fans to join the birthday celebration, visit the Hippo Village exhibition and take part in the special activities. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
MANYU (MANYU) community members are hopeful that the token could replicate Shiba Inu’s success, following its recent sale by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin.
Yesterday, the Ethereum co-founder sold several crypto assets he received from unsolicited donations from investors and project owners. Notably, the popular meme coin, MANYU, was among the tokens Buterin sold.
Etherscan data shows that Buterin sold over 2 trillion MANYU tokens, worth roughly $39,484, on CoW Protocol. The sale came less than two months after he received the tokens from MANYU community members in unsolicited donations.
Vitalik Buterin MANYU transactions Shiba Inu-Style Rally Incoming? Buterin’s recent wallet activity, particularly his sale of MANYU, did not go unnoticed by enthusiasts of the token. Interestingly, most users see the sale as a bullish event that could drive MANYU’s value to greater heights.
Some users referenced how Shiba Inu’s market cap reached billions of dollars after the Ethereum founder offloaded SHIB. Recall that the Shiba Inu’s pseudonymous founder Ryoshi gifted Buterin 50% of the token’s supply (500 trillion SHIB). The donation was part of a broader marketing strategy aimed at attracting investors’ attention to SHIB.
Shortly after the donation, Buterin burned over 410 trillion SHIB and donated the rest to nonprofits supporting COVID-19 relief efforts. Although the transaction initially resulted in a sharp decline in SHIB’s price, it rebounded, eventually reaching an all-time high five months after Buterin offloaded the tokens.
In a separate development, the price of the pygmy hippo-inspired meme coin, Moo Deng (MOODENG), also rallied significantly after Buterin sold 10 billion units of the token. Following his recent MANYU sale, X user Diana Sanchez suggested that whenever Buterin sells or disposes of a meme coin, the token eventually becomes legendary.
Another user, Belen Franchese, speculated that history will definitely repeat itself with MANYU, implying that the token’s price would rally significantly, just like Shiba Inu and MOODENG did in the past.
MANYU Soars Only 2.51% in 24 Hours In the meantime, MANYU is currently up 2.51% over the past 24 hours and is currently trading at $0.00002117 per token. It ranks as the 8,974th cryptocurrency globally with a valuation of $21,170.
Currently, MANYU has fallen 95.13% from its previous ATH of $0.0004344, recorded on February 18. While meme coins like Shiba Inu and MOODENG rallied significantly after Buterin offloaded them, it remains uncertain whether MANYU will follow the same trajectory.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
Moo Deng is back in the spotlight — but not for the heartwarming reasons as before.
Conservationist Siranudh Scott brought attention back on to the viral pet after calling the pygmy hippo’s living situation “sad” on social media, showing a photo of fecal matter in the habitat.
“The other day I saw pictures of the current condition of Moo Deng’s cage/habitat/pool,” Scott wrote in a translated X post on Feb. 15.
Fans have expressed concern over Moo Deng’s enclosure. Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images
A conservationist called Moo Deng’s living conditions “sad,” sparking a conversation online. CHANAKARN LAOSARAKHAM/AFP via Getty Images “It’s really sad to see it like this. Even though he’s generated so much income, in the end, he’s just a business in the eyes of the people around him,”
Scott wrote a follow-up posting clarifying his words, saying that he was “not criticizing the Moo Deng caretakers or the animals themselves” and didn’t “want anyone to misunderstand.”
“I’m trying to convey that animals that are recognized worldwide and bring fame to the country should have a quality of life, space, a safe environment, and animal companions that are commensurate with the value they bring to us,” he explained.
But that didn’t stop fans from making their own assumptions and taking an interest in their beloved Moo Deng.
When fans online started to express their concern, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand, released a statement addressing it.
“Khao Kheow Open Zoo would like to express its gratitude for all the concerns and suggestions from fans worldwide,” the zoo said in a statement, originally written in Thai, on Feb. 16.
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo said they appreciated the concerns for Moo Deng, but insisted she was being cared for. CHANAKARN LAOSARAKHAM/AFP via Getty Images
Moo Deng has attracted many tourists to the zoo. CHANAKARN LAOSARAKHAM/AFP via Getty Images They addressed the “online discussions regarding the cleanliness and living conditions” of the social media star.
The zoo insisted that the 1-year-old hippo is “being cared for according to international standards,” they shared in the translated statement.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo explained that “the images circulating on social media are likely animal feces excreted during the day, which is normal behavior for hippos who typically defecate in water or on land to ‘mark their territory.’ “
“It is confirmed that the keeper team cleans up and removes the animal feces every morning regularly, in accordance with international animal welfare standards (WAZA),” the zoo continued.
The zoo shared that Moo Deng’s muddy surroundings are intentional and it’s vital for pygmy hippos’ skin as they require high levels of moisture.
“Providing an environment with soil, mud, and aquatic plants is a biologically sound design to allow the animals to exhibit instinctive behaviors and maintain healthy skin, and is not the result of neglect,” the zoo said.
“We reaffirm our commitment to the happiness and health of our animals, and clarify that the enclosure conditions reflect their natural behavior. We are also moving forward with the ‘Hippo Village’ project to elevate animal welfare towards sustainability.”
The “Hippo Village” 4-acre habitat expansion is already in the works and will “accommodate six pygmy hippos and seven great hippos, providing them with spacious and ecologically suitable living conditions.”
The zoo noted that the long-term expansion project will be done with caution to ensure that the construction doesn’t disrupt the hippos or cause them any distress.
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A man has been arrested after allegedly breaching the enclosure of Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo who shot to global social media stardom, at a Thai zoo.
Zoo officials confirmed the incident involving the internet sensation.
The Thai national reportedly entered the enclosure at Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Tuesday while a keeper was absent and no other visitors were present, according to director Narongwit Chodchoy.
Security footage, widely circulated online, shows a man in a black beanie, sunglasses, green tank top, and brown shorts approaching Moo Deng and her mother, Jona, while holding a tablet, seemingly recording.
The man remained inside for approximately one to two minutes before staff noticed him. Mr Chodchoy noted that the individual did not attempt to flee as the zoo contacted police. Moo Deng, born in 2024, quickly became a viral sensation thanks to a keeper sharing endearing images and videos online, drawing large crowds from Thailand and abroad.
The Thai national reportedly entered the enclosure at Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Tuesday (One Planet/YouTube)Police have initially charged the man with trespassing, though the investigation continues, with the zoo indicating it will pursue all available legal avenues. The suspect, who has since been released on bail, was not identified. Mr Chodchoy confirmed that Moo Deng and Jona were safe, as the man did not attempt to touch them.
Despite the man not attempting to touch them, Moo Deng and her mother, Jona, appeared "slightly startled" by the encounter and are now under veterinary observation, the zoo stated on its official Facebook page. Officials urged visitors to "strictly follow all rules and instructions from staff for the safety of both themselves and the wildlife." The Khao Kheow Open Zoo, located about 60 miles southeast of Bangkok, spans nearly 2,000 acres and houses over 2,000 animals.
Thailand Moo Deng (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)Moo Deng was born at the zoo in Chonburi. Only a month after her birth, her videos exploded on TikTok and social media quickly became obsessed.
Vulture wrote: “She has little teeny, tiny baby chompers, she’s perpetually wet, and her name means bouncy pork. It’s the ultimate recipe for internet cuteness.”
The Associated Press described Moo Deng as having “the kind of face that launches a thousand memes”.
Moo Deng in Thai is a type of meatball. It was reported that the name was chosen by fans through a social media poll, keeping in theme with her siblings: Moo Toon (stewed pork) and Moo Waan (sweet pork). The zoo also has a common hippo named Kha Moo (stewed pork leg).
BANGKOK (AP) — A man has been arrested after he was caught climbing into an enclosure of Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo who became a social media sensation, zoo officials said.
The Thai man allegedly entered the enclosure on Tuesday evening while a keeper was away and no other visitors were around, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo’s Director Narongwit Chodchoy told The Associated Press.
Security footage widely shared online shows a man wearing a black beanie, sunglasses, a green tank top, and brown shorts approaching Moo Deng and her mother Jona while holding a tablet, apparently recording or taking photos.
The man remained inside the enclosure for a minute or two before staff noticed him, Narongwit said, adding that he did not attempt to flee while the zoo called for police.
Moo Deng soared to stardom shortly after she was born in 2024, largely thanks to a keeper who shared adorable pictures and videos of the baby hippo on social media. Since then, she has drawn large crowds from Thailand and abroad who want to witness her charm in person and shoot photos and videos of her cute moments for themselves.
Police have initially charged the man with trespassing, but investigation is still ongoing and Narongwit said the zoo intends to pursue all available legal action. Police did not identify the suspect.
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The man has now been released on bail, Narongwit said. He said Moo Deng and Jona were safe as the man did not try to touch them.
In a statement posted Tuesday on the zoo’s official Facebook page, it said both animals appeared slightly startled by the encounter and would be monitored closely by a veterinarian.
The zoo also urged visitors to “strictly follow all rules and instructions from staff for the safety of both themselves and the wildlife.”
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo, which is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Bangkok, sits on 800 hectares (almost 2,000 acres) of land and is home to more than 2,000 animals.
BANGKOK — A man has been arrested after he was caught climbing into an enclosure of Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo who became a social media sensation, zoo officials said.
The Thai man allegedly entered the enclosure on Tuesday evening while a keeper was away and no other visitors were around, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo’s director, Narongwit Chodchoy, told The Associated Press.
Security footage widely shared online shows a man wearing a black beanie, sunglasses, a green tank top and brown shorts approaching Moo Deng and her mother, Jona, while holding a tablet, apparently recording or taking photos.
Moo Deng, a 1-year-old female pygmy hippo who became a viral internet sensation.Chanakarn Laosarakham / AFP - Getty ImagesThe man remained inside the enclosure for a minute or two before staff noticed him, Narongwit said, adding that he did not attempt to flee while the zoo called for police.
Moo Deng soared to stardom shortly after she was born in 2024, largely thanks to a keeper who shared adorable pictures and videos of the baby hippo on social media. Since then, she has drawn large crowds from Thailand and abroad who want to witness her charm in person and shoot photos and videos of her cute moments for themselves.
01:24
Police have initially charged the man with trespassing, but the investigation is continuing and Narongwit said the zoo intends to pursue all available legal action. Police did not identify the suspect.
The man has now been released on bail, Narongwit said. He said Moo Deng and Jona were safe as the man did not try to touch them.
In a statement posted Tuesday on the zoo’s official Facebook page, it said both animals appeared slightly startled by the encounter and would be monitored closely by a veterinarian.
The zoo also urged visitors to “strictly follow all rules and instructions from staff for the safety of both themselves and the wildlife.”
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo, which is about 60 miles southeast of Bangkok, sits on almost 2,000 acres of land and is home to more than 2,000 animals.
BANGKOK – A Thai man broke into the zoo enclosure of Moo Deng, an endangered baby pygmy hippo and internet sensation, police said on March 18, as the zoo filed a trespassing complaint.
Moo Deng – whose name translates as “bouncy pork” – has gained global attention, thanks to social media videos showing her adorable antics, drawing tens of thousands of visitors and boosting zoo ticket sales.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo, about a two-hour drive from the capital Bangkok, said a Thai national had unlawfully entered the animal’s pen on
March 17
.
Footage of the close encounter released by local media showed a man wearing a tank top, shorts and sandals inside the enclosure and recording Moo Deng with a tablet.
Zoo staff took about 10 minutes to remove the man from the pen, which also houses Moo Deng’s mother, local media reported.
“The individual entered a restricted animal area,” the zoo said in a statement.
It would “pursue legal action without exception” and added that Moo Deng was unharmed but “slightly startled” by the incident.
Police told AFP the intruder, a man who visited the zoo with his grandnephew, had wanted a closer look at the animal.
“We have initiated a trespassing case,” said local investigating officer Athiwat Siralertthakorn.
No arrest has been made so far, he added.
Under Thai law, trespassers face up to one year in jail, a fine of up to 20,000 baht (S$790) or both.
The pygmy hippo calf, which marked its first birthday in July, has inspired merchandise and memes since first going viral online in 2024.
Moo Deng has even featured in a beauty campaign by cosmetics giant Sephora, highlighting her glowing, peach-toned face. AFP
A man has been arrested after he was caught climbing into an enclosure of Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo who became a social media sensation, zoo officials said.
The Thai man allegedly entered the enclosure on Tuesday evening while a keeper was away and no other visitors were around, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo’s Director Narongwit Chodchoy told The Associated Press.
Security footage widely shared online shows a man wearing a black beanie, sunglasses, a green tank top, and brown shorts approaching Moo Deng and her mother Jona while holding a tablet, apparently recording or taking photos.
A man entered the enclosure of Moo Deng and was recording and her mother Jona on March 17, 2026. OnePlanet/YouTube
Security footage widely shared online shows a man wearing a black beanie, sunglasses, a green tank top, and brown shorts approaching Moo Deng and her mother Jona while holding a tablet. OnePlanet/YouTube The man remained inside the enclosure for a minute or two before staff noticed him, Narongwit said, adding that he did not attempt to flee while the zoo called for police.
Moo Deng soared to stardom shortly after she was born in 2024, largely thanks to a keeper who shared adorable pictures and videos of the baby hippo on social media.
Since then, she has drawn large crowds from Thailand and abroad who want to witness her charm in person and shoot photos and videos of her cute moments for themselves.
Police have initially charged the man with trespassing, but investigation is still ongoing and Narongwit said the zoo intends to pursue all available legal action.
Moo Deng soared to stardom shortly after she was born in 2024, largely thanks to a keeper who shared adorable pictures and videos of the baby hippo on social media. AP
The man remained inside the enclosure for a minute or two before staff noticed him, Narongwit said, adding that he did not attempt to flee while the zoo called for police. OnePlanet/YouTube Police did not identify the suspect.
The man has now been released on bail, Narongwit said.
He said Moo Deng and Jona were safe as the man did not try to touch them.
In a statement posted Tuesday on the zoo’s official Facebook page, it said both animals appeared slightly startled by the encounter and would be monitored closely by a veterinarian.
The zoo also urged visitors to “strictly follow all rules and instructions from staff for the safety of both themselves and the wildlife.”
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo, which is about 60 miles southeast of Bangkok, sits on almost 2,000 acres of land and is home to more than 2,000 animals.
A man has been arrested after allegedly breaching the enclosure of Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo who shot to global social media stardom, at a Thai zoo.
Zoo officials confirmed the incident involving the internet sensation.
The Thai national reportedly entered the enclosure at Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Tuesday while a keeper was absent and no other visitors were present, according to director Narongwit Chodchoy.
Security footage, widely circulated online, shows a man in a black beanie, sunglasses, green tank top, and brown shorts approaching Moo Deng and her mother, Jona, while holding a tablet, seemingly recording.
The man remained inside for approximately one to two minutes before staff noticed him. Mr Chodchoy noted that the individual did not attempt to flee as the zoo contacted police. Moo Deng, born in 2024, quickly became a viral sensation thanks to a keeper sharing endearing images and videos online, drawing large crowds from Thailand and abroad.
The Thai national reportedly entered the enclosure at Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Tuesday (One Planet/YouTube)Police have initially charged the man with trespassing, though the investigation continues, with the zoo indicating it will pursue all available legal avenues. The suspect, who has since been released on bail, was not identified. Mr Chodchoy confirmed that Moo Deng and Jona were safe, as the man did not attempt to touch them.
Despite the man not attempting to touch them, Moo Deng and her mother, Jona, appeared "slightly startled" by the encounter and are now under veterinary observation, the zoo stated on its official Facebook page. Officials urged visitors to "strictly follow all rules and instructions from staff for the safety of both themselves and the wildlife." The Khao Kheow Open Zoo, located about 60 miles southeast of Bangkok, spans nearly 2,000 acres and houses over 2,000 animals.
Thailand Moo Deng (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)Moo Deng was born at the zoo in Chonburi. Only a month after her birth, her videos exploded on TikTok and social media quickly became obsessed.
Vulture wrote: “She has little teeny, tiny baby chompers, she’s perpetually wet, and her name means bouncy pork. It’s the ultimate recipe for internet cuteness.”
The Associated Press described Moo Deng as having “the kind of face that launches a thousand memes”.
Moo Deng in Thai is a type of meatball. It was reported that the name was chosen by fans through a social media poll, keeping in theme with her siblings: Moo Toon (stewed pork) and Moo Waan (sweet pork). The zoo also has a common hippo named Kha Moo (stewed pork leg).
A stranger wearing a black beanie jumped the fence at Khao Kheow Zoo on Tuesday to get a photo with Moo Deng, sending shockwaves through social media and a momentary flash crash through the MOODENG Solana charts.
While the real-world pigmy hippo was reportedly unharmed, the token price reacted positively, spiking +3% toward $0.057 before colliding with a massive, aggressive buy wall.
🇹🇭 CCTV captured the moment a Thai content creator entered the enclosure of the pygmy hippo Moo Deng this evening while staff were occupied
Khao Kheow Open Zoo confirmed Moo Deng was unharmed. The man was apprehended and handed over to police. pic.twitter.com/MjVF6YIkVI
— Planet (@zaibi0117) March 18, 2026
It is the first time the viral hippo meme coin has been in the news for some time, but the attention could act as a springboard for MOODENG and the broader meme space.
Today (March 18), the meme coin market cap is down -1% on the day, sitting at $35.8Bn, and trading volume over the past 24 hours is $3.4Bn.
(SOURCE: CoinGecko)
MOODENG Price Analysis: $0.06 Breakout or $0.04 Trapdoor? The Crypto Market Analysis for viral tokens often defers to social sentiment over technicals, but MOODENG is currently respecting a strict technical range. Following the news of the zoo intrusion, the token spiked a local high of $0.0582.
That level is not random. It represents a critical line in the sand where sellers have stepped in twice this month to push the price back down. The immediate retracement back to the $0.057 range suggests that the dip was bought up by whales faster than the news could spread.
However, the bulls are not out of the woods. The token is now trapped below a “boss fight” resistance level at $0.0585. This price point has repeatedly rejected advances, acting as a ceiling for the recovery.
i dont wanna be that guy but you know what looks good?$MOODENG pic.twitter.com/m9KhJiwPYy
— eon (@vivideonic) March 17, 2026
For a bullish reversal to be confirmed, we need to see a daily candle close above $0.058 with strong volume. Until that ceiling breaks, the price action is simply noise within a consolidation channel.
The bear case is the ugly side of this trade. If the hype from the Khao Kheow Zoo incident fades and volume dries up, the $0.055 support level becomes vulnerable.
Losing $0.055 opens a trapdoor directly to the $0.045 region, a drop that would wipe out months of accumulation. As seen with other Pump.fun graduates, liquidity can evaporate quickly when key support levels fail.
Volume data confirms the tension. During the dip, trading volume spiked to over $48M, indicating that this wasn’t just retail panic; it was a high-stakes battle between liquidation bots and opportunistic buyers.
DISCOVER: The Next 1000x Crypto Gem Before It Lists on Exchanges
Meme Coin Sector Lagging With Moo Deng an Outlier The broader meme coin sector isn’t enjoying a green day like MOODENG, with the combined meme market cap down -1% on the day, dropping to $35.8Bn.
For the large caps, PUMP and PENGU are in the green, with +1.5% and +1.8% pumps, respectively. However, the real leader is Memecore (M), up +9% on the day as it continues its ascent on the back of a +45% monthly pump.
PEPE and TRUMP are the worst performers among the major meme coins. PEPE is down -3.4% on the day, while TRUMP is down -1.2% in the same timeframe.
Whether or not Moo Deng can maintain its bullish price action on the back of the zoo kidnapping scare, the market needs a liquidity injection across the board before anyone can claim meme coins szn is back.
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A man has been fined $300 (£223) by a Thai court after breaking into the enclosure of Moo Deng, an endangered baby pygmy hippo and internet sensation, the zoo's director said.
Narongwit Chodchoy, who runs Khao Kheow Open Zoo, told AFP that the man, who entered Moo Deng's pen last month, had been found guilty by a local court.
Footage released by local media showed a man inside the enclosure, recording Moo Deng with a tablet.
The zoo, which is about two hours drive from Bangkok, said that the pygmy hippo -who went viral in 2024 after the zoo shared videos of her antics on social media - was unharmed but "slightly startled".
Getty Images
Moo Deng lives at Khao Kheow Open Zoo with her mother Jonah
The zoo's director said the court decision "shows that no one can violate animals' rights, no matter whether they are in an enclosure or in the wild".
He told AFP: "We train staff on what to do if any animals escape, but from now on, we will have to train them on what to do if there are any intruders.
"We learned from this lesson and will not allow it to happen again - not to Moo Deng and not to other animals in the zoo."
The man who broke into Moo Deng's enclosure was fined 10,000 baht ($300), and the incident has resulted in the zoo increasing security patrols, Chodchoy said.
Moo Deng - whose name roughly translates to "bouncy pig" - became an internet sensation in 2024 shortly after her birth that July.
Videos of the hippo went viral, memes were created, and visitor numbers at the zoo increased hugely as thousands flocked each weekend to catch a glimpse of Moo Deng.
A range of merchandise was even created, with fans of the pygmy hippo able to buy Moo Deng-inspired clothes.
BANGKOK - A Thai court has fined a man 10,000 baht (S$400) after he broke into the enclosure of Moo Deng, an endangered baby pygmy hippo and internet sensation, the zoo director said on April 8.
Moo Deng – whose name translates as “bouncy pork” – has gained global attention, thanks to social media videos showing her adorable antics, drawing tens of thousands of visitors and boosting zoo ticket sales.
In March, a Thai man unlawfully entered Moo Deng’s pen, which also houses her mother, at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo about a two-hour drive from the capital Bangkok.
Footage of the close encounter released by local media showed a man inside the enclosure, recording Moo Deng with a tablet.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo said at the time that Moo Deng was unharmed but “slightly startled”, and it would pursue legal action against the intruder.
On April 8, zoo director Narongwit Chodchoy told AFP that a state prosecutor had informed him that the man was found guilty by a local court after his confession and fined 10,000 baht (S$400).
AFP could not immediately reach a court official for comment.
“The decision shows that no one can violate animals’ rights, no matter whether they are in an enclosure or in the wild,” Mr Narongwit said.
Since the incident in March, he said no similar security breaches had occurred and the zoo had increased security patrols to deter would-be intruders.
“We train staff on what to do if any animals escape, but from now on, we will have to train them on what to do if there are any intruders,” Mr Narongwit said.
“We learnt from this lesson and will not allow it to happen again – not to Moo Deng and not to other animals in the zoo.”
The pygmy hippo calf, which marked its first birthday in July, has inspired merchandise and memes since first going viral online in 2024. AFP
In brief Moo Deng (MOODENG) is up more than 6% in the last 24 hours amid news a man was fined for entering the hippo's quarters. The token's jump is outpacing other meme coins as the broader crypto market moves higher. Nevertheless, the Solana-based MOODENG remains nearly 93% off its all-time high. The Solana meme coin inspired by viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng (MOODENG) is up 6.5% in the last 24 hours amid news that a man that intruded on the animal’s enclosure has been fined for the act.
The man, who was reportedly fined $300 for unlawfully entering the area, was found guilty by a local Thai court after being arrested in March.
In a video shared following the arrest, a male can be seen hopping a fence at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo when no staff were around Moo Deng’s quarters. He holds what appears to be an iPad or a similar tablet in hand, before approaching Moo Deng while recording a video.
The stunt has led to increased security measures at the zoo according to its director Narongwit Chodchoy, who told AFP that it will “have to train [staff] on what to do if there are any intruders.”
"We learned from this lesson and will not allow it to happen again—not to Moo Deng and not to other animals in the zoo," he said. The viral pygmy hippo was not harmed during the stunt, but was “slightly startled” according to the report.
Moo Deng rose to popularity in early 2024, quickly becoming a viral sensation on social media for its playful antics. Around that time, a meme coin celebrating the hippo was launched via popular token launchpad Pump.fun, and shortly thereafter gained traction.
In November of that year, the token surged to an all-time high around $0.68, or about a $680 million market cap. While the high was short-lived, the token maintained relevancy for a while longer, ultimately earning listings from all the major centralized exchanges, including Coinbase, which spiked the token price by 80% in December of that year.
Since that time, though, it’s largely been stuck in a downward spiral, recently changing hands around $0.048, or about a $48 million market cap—nearly 93% off its all-time high. Mainstream media attention, like the recent report from the AFP, typically provide a burst of life to meme coins, which are tokens that are often based on popular culture and events and have no real utility.
For example, the price of MOODENG surged around 33% when the zoo announced plans for a first birthday party last July.
However, the token’s latest surge also comes amid improving macroeconomic conditions, highlighted by the late Tuesday conditional ceasefire in Iran, avoiding a potentially massive attack teased by U.S. President Donald Trump. Since that time, all crypto assets have surged, led by Bitcoin and Ethereum jumping 4.2% and 6.3% respectively in the last day.
Meme coins as a whole have underperformed the majors, though, jumping just 3.6% in the last 24 hours according to CoinGecko.
Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.
In brief Moo Deng (MOODENG) is up more than 6% in the last 24 hours amid news a man was fined for entering the hippo's quarters. The token's jump is outpacing other meme coins as the broader crypto market moves higher. Nevertheless, the Solana-based MOODENG remains nearly 93% off its all-time high. The Solana meme coin inspired by viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng (MOODENG) is up 6.5% in the last 24 hours amid news that a man that intruded on the animal’s enclosure has been fined for the act.
The man, who was reportedly fined $300 for unlawfully entering the area, was found guilty by a local Thai court after being arrested in March.
In a video shared following the arrest, a male can be seen hopping a fence at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo when no staff were around Moo Deng’s quarters. He holds what appears to be an iPad or a similar tablet in hand, before approaching Moo Deng while recording a video.
The stunt has led to increased security measures at the zoo according to its director Narongwit Chodchoy, who told AFP that it will “have to train [staff] on what to do if there are any intruders.”
"We learned from this lesson and will not allow it to happen again—not to Moo Deng and not to other animals in the zoo," he said. The viral pygmy hippo was not harmed during the stunt, but was “slightly startled” according to the report.
Moo Deng rose to popularity in early 2024, quickly becoming a viral sensation on social media for its playful antics. Around that time, a meme coin celebrating the hippo was launched via popular token launchpad Pump.fun, and shortly thereafter gained traction.
In November of that year, the token surged to an all-time high around $0.68, or about a $680 million market cap. While the high was short-lived, the token maintained relevancy for a while longer, ultimately earning listings from all the major centralized exchanges, including Coinbase, which spiked the token price by 80% in December of that year.
Since that time, though, it’s largely been stuck in a downward spiral, recently changing hands around $0.048, or about a $48 million market cap—nearly 93% off its all-time high. Mainstream media attention, like the recent report from the AFP, typically provide a burst of life to meme coins, which are tokens that are often based on popular culture and events and have no real utility.
For example, the price of MOODENG surged around 33% when the zoo announced plans for a first birthday party last July.
However, the token’s latest surge also comes amid improving macroeconomic conditions, highlighted by the late Tuesday conditional ceasefire in Iran, avoiding a potentially massive attack teased by U.S. President Donald Trump. Since that time, all crypto assets have surged, led by Bitcoin and Ethereum jumping 4.2% and 6.3% respectively in the last day.
Meme coins as a whole have underperformed the majors, though, jumping just 3.6% in the last 24 hours according to CoinGecko.
Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.
A Thai court has fined a man £233 after he entered the enclosure housing viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng.
The incident took place on 17 March 2026, when the man climbed over a barrier into the enclosure shared by Moo Deng and her mother at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand’s Chonburi.
According to director Narongwit Chodchoy, the Thai national entered the enclosure while a keeper was absent and no other visitors were present. He stayed inside for around two minutes before staff noticed him. Chodchoy said that the individual did not attempt to flee as the zoo contacted police.
Security footage that has been widely circulated online shows a man in a black beanie, sunglasses, green tank top, and brown shorts approaching Moo Deng and her mother, Jona, while holding a tablet, seemingly recording.
At the time, the zoo said on their official Facebook page that while Moo Deng and Jona were unharmed, they had been “slightly startled” by the encounter and were under veterinary observation.
The man was charged with trespassing, and later released on bail.
The zoo confirmed on their Facebook page that the man had been found guilty by the Chonburi provincial court and fined 10,000 baht (£232.7). They also reiterated the zoo’s rules, reminding visitors that “climbing or entering the animal enclosures” is forbidden.
Security footage that has been widely circulated online shows a man approaching Moo Deng and her mother, Jona, while holding a tablet (One Planet/YouTube)
The zoo said that while Moo Deng and Jona were unharmed, they had been ‘slightly startled’ (One Planet/YouTube)“Together, take care of the welfare of wild animals to ensure that Moo Deng and all animals are happy and safe. Enjoy the cuteness from a distance, respect the rules,” the statement read.
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo, located around 100km southeast of Bangkok, spans nearly 2,000 acres and houses over 2,000 animals.
Since the incident, Chodchoy told AFP that the zoo had “increased security patrols to deter would-be intruders”.
“We train staff on what to do if any animals escape, but from now on, we will have to train them on what to do if there are any intruders.”
On the verdict, he said: “The decision shows that no one can violate animals' rights, no matter whether they are in an enclosure or in the wild. We learned from this lesson and will not allow it to happen again – not to Moo Deng and not to other animals in the zoo.”
Moo Deng, whose name comes from the Thai word for ‘bouncy pork,’ was born in 2024 at Khao Kheow Open Zoo (Getty Images)Moo Deng, whose name comes from the Thai word for “bouncy pork,” was born in 2024 at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. She became a global internet sensation within weeks of her birth after videos of her biting at her keeper, slipping while being hosed down, and trailing closely behind her mother went viral on social media and drew millions of views.
Her popularity quickly spilled offline, inspiring themed cakes across Thailand and even a Sephora Thailand campaign encouraging users to “wear your blush like a baby hippo”.
On peak days, more than 12,000 people visited the zoo to see her, prompting authorities to introduce time limits for visitors and increase crowd management measures. Some visitors had been caught throwing water and other objects at the baby hippo to get her to react, causing the zoo director to threaten legal action and install surveillance cameras.
Moo Deng (MOODENG), Pnut (PNUT), and Goatseus Maximus (GOAT) recently experienced a remarkable rally. Each coin posted triple-digit gains and reached multi-month highs.
While the momentum has since slowed slightly, BeInCrypto consulted experts to uncover the factors behind the recent surge in meme coin activity.
What’s Behind MOODENG, PNUT, and GOAT’s Surge?For context, the cryptocurrency market experienced a significant slump in early April after President Trump’s tariff announcement. Bitcoin (BTC) fell below the $80,000 mark, leading to substantial losses across the sector. Nonetheless, a slight recovery began to take shape.
Meme coins like MOODENG, PNUT, and GOAT tokens started gaining momentum in mid-April. On May 8, they experienced consecutive surges, reaching highs not seen since the beginning of the year.
MOODENG posted the strongest gains, surging by 771% in less than a week. GOAT followed with a 257% increase. PNUT also saw a 220% rise in value.
A key moment came on May 11 when Binance Alpha announced the listing of MOODENG and GOAT. Chris Duggan, Senior Marketing Manager at ChainGPT, explained that this decision “added fuel to the fire.”
He highlighted that the rally resulted from a combination of early community excitement, traction from influencers and key opinion leaders (KOLs) on X, and low liquidity. These set the stage for a quick price surge.
“Social media doesn’t just amplify—these days it creates the trend. Coins can go from obscurity to global attention in a matter of hours thanks to a few well-timed posts,” Duggan told BeInCrypto.
However, he added that Binance’s involvement further strengthened the momentum. Duggan stated that such exposure can quickly turn niche coins into popular assets.
“It was retail-driven at first, but once smart money sniffed it out, the rally intensified,” he said.
In addition to these factors, Dean Chen, an analyst at Bitunix, outlined several key catalysts behind the meme coin rally.
“The surge of MOODENG, PNUT, and GOAT was not caused by a single event but was the result of a combination of capital rotation, market narratives, platform exposure, and overall sentiment,” Chen said.
He explained that major meme coins like Dogecoin (DOGE) and dogwifhat (WIF) had already experienced significant rallies earlier in the year. This, in turn, led to more conservative market expectations.
As a result, speculative capital shifted focus to smaller-cap meme coins like MOODENG and PNUT. These meme coins became key targets for investment. Chen noted that these coins attract whale accumulation when prices are low, and once price volatility sets in, it triggers FOMO among retail investors.
The analyst also emphasized that the rise of these meme coins was closely tied to market sentiment. With Bitcoin surpassing $100,000 in May, investor risk appetite increased, leading to a shift toward high-volatility assets like meme coins.
“During bull market phases, meme coins typically exhibit high elasticity and room for speculation, making them popular targets for concentrated capital bets,” Chen disclosed to BeInCrypto.
While the initial rise may have been extraordinary, it was also fleeting. By mid-May, increased selling pressure had pushed the coins to shed some of their gains. Nevertheless, they remained resilient, and a modest recovery followed.
At the time of writing, MOODENG, PNUT, and GOAT’s values were still up 675.7%, 112.2%, and 237.9%, respectively, from their early April lows.
MOODENG, PNUT, and GOAT Meme Coins Price Performance. Source: TradingViewThe volatility raises concerns about the sustainability of the meme coin rallies. Chen believes that the capital rotation to the new meme coins exhibits strong speculative characteristics. He stressed that, from a short-term perspective, this wave of capital flow mirrors an emotionally driven hype cycle.
According to him, market participants are generally focused on quick profits. Therefore, under the influence of community narratives and online sentiment, some low-cap tokens are pushed up by several multiples in a very short time.
“However, such hype often lacks solid fundamental support and long-term development strategies, making it prone to forming bubbles. The cycle of price surges and pullbacks tends to be very short, often completing an entire speculative round within three to seven days,” Chen cautioned.
Moreover, Chen noted that this short-term bubble typically exhibits several traits. Many projects rely solely on viral meme content or catchy themes, lacking real-world applications or technical development to support them.
The teams behind these projects often cash out quickly once prices surge, sometimes coordinating large sell-offs through internal wallets, which leads to frequent “rug pull” incidents within the community. Furthermore, the spike in community interest tends to be explosive but short-lived, emphasizing the highly speculative nature of the current cycle.
“From a long-term perspective, the meme coin space does have the potential to emerge from these high-volatility shakeouts with a few projects that demonstrate lasting viability,” he remarked.
Chen elaborated that the enduring meme coins typically possess more developed narrative frameworks, strong community cohesion, and some level of development and market promotion capabilities. After the bubble bursts, these surviving coins could emerge as “meme blue chips,” becoming key targets in the next phase of capital rotation.
He also emphasized that the current capital movement should not be seen merely as a bubble but as a reflection of a changing market preference for high-risk, high-reward assets, particularly in a bullish market that favors high-volatility assets. Consequently, he forecasted that this market activity may continue for some time.
