Peanut the Squirrel’s Owner Denounces PNUT Token Holders, Launches Rival Meme Coin

Mark Longo, the owner of the Instagram-famous Peanut the Squirrel, has launched his own meme coin, $JUSTICE, while threatening legal action against holders of the rival $PNUT token. The controversy has ignited a heated debate within the crypto community, further fueled by the tragic backstory of Peanut and a raccoon named Fred.

Legal Threats Against PNUT Token Holders

In a now-deleted post on X, Longo accused $PNUT token holders of profiting off the story of his pet squirrel without permission. He expressed frustration that his nonprofit organization was excluded from the significant profits generated by the token, calling out the $PNUT community for exploiting his narrative.

In one of his posts, Longo wrote:

"YOU USED MY STORY, MY SQUIRREL AND MY LIKENESS TO MAKE MILLIONS. This is MY STORY, AND YOU’RE USING IT."

Background: Peanut’s Euthanasia and Public Outcry

The story of Peanut gained national attention in October when the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) confiscated the squirrel and Fred, citing state laws prohibiting the possession of wild animals. Despite Longo’s claims that both animals had been released, Peanut’s continued social media appearances led to a raid.

On November 1, Peanut and Fred were euthanized after Peanut bit an officer, raising concerns about potential rabies exposure. Post-mortem tests revealed neither animal had rabies, leading to widespread public outcry and criticism of the DEC’s actions. Even Elon Musk weighed in on the matter, turning Peanut into a symbol of government overreach and personal freedom.

Rise and Fall of the PNUT Token

Following the euthanasia, the crypto community launched $PNUT, a meme coin inspired by Peanut’s viral fame. The token experienced an initial surge, fueled by a Binance listing and widespread speculation. However, its price began to decline, with critics labeling it a potential pump-and-dump scheme.

Longo expressed discontent with how $PNUT leveraged Peanut’s legacy for profit while excluding him from the earnings. This dissatisfaction led to his decision to create a competing token.

The Launch of $JUSTICE

In a bold move to reclaim control of Peanut’s narrative, Longo introduced $JUSTICE, branding it as a response to the $PNUT token. The new coin has quickly gained traction, reaching a $13 million market cap within days of its launch. According to DEX Screener, $JUSTICE saw a meteoric rise of over 50,000% in a single day, reflecting strong support from the crypto community.

A Divided Crypto Community

The rivalry between $PNUT and $JUSTICE has polarized the crypto community. While some support Longo’s decision to take legal action and launch his own token, others argue that the $PNUT community’s efforts were a genuine tribute to Peanut’s story.

With $JUSTICE now gaining momentum and $PNUT facing scrutiny, the future of both tokens remains uncertain. Longo’s actions have raised questions about intellectual property and the ethical use of personal narratives in the meme coin market, adding a new layer of complexity to the rapidly evolving crypto ecosystem.

As the saga unfolds, it underscores the volatile nature of meme coins and the passionate communities that drive them. For investors, the situation serves as a reminder to exercise caution when engaging with high-risk tokens tied to emotionally charged stories.