How a Viral Squirrel Sparked the Rise of PNUT in Crypto

Memecoins have been a quirky part of the crypto landscape for a while, but every so often, one emerges from a story that taps into something deeper. Recently, a memecoin called PNUT popped up on Solana, inspired by the unusual story of Peanut, a popular New York City squirrel.

Peanut was a social media star with hundreds of thousands of followers until things took a strange turn. Authorities seized Peanut after a run-in with state rules around wildlife, eventually leading to the animal’s euthanization. For some, it raised questions about government intervention and sparked a strong reaction online.

Enter PNUT, a token created not just as a tribute to the squirrel but as a subtle protest around personal rights and freedoms. It’s a new example of how tokens are evolving beyond humor or speculation and sometimes becoming symbols tied to social moments or public sentiment.

The real takeaway? Memecoins aren’t just for jokes anymore. They’re being used to represent cultural flashpoints, push back on issues, and build communities around ideas—even if it’s through something as unlikely as a squirrel in New York. PNUT may not be the last memecoin we see that captures a moment like this, but it shows the unique way digital assets are now touching on real-life events and conversations.