Peanut the Squirrel Owner Launches Legal Battle Over PNUT Meme Coin

Peanut the Squirrel Owner Vows to Sue Over PNUT Meme Coin

Mark Longo, the controversial owner of Peanut the squirrel, has taken aim at major crypto exchanges like Binance and Coinbase, accusing them of trademark infringement over the listing of the PNUT meme coin.

The PNUT coin, which rocketed to a $2.27 billion market cap shortly after its November launch, has become a viral sensation. Yet Longo, a mechanical engineer turned influencer and pornstar, alleges the coin’s creators have exploited his story and intellectual property without consent.

The Story Behind Peanut and Longo’s Legal Campaign

Peanut the squirrel rose to national fame after being seized and euthanized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Longo claims he rescued and domesticated Peanut after its mother was killed by a car, turning the squirrel into an Instagram sensation with nearly a million followers.

However, the controversy escalated after complaints from local wildlife rehabilitators led to Peanut’s seizure. During the incident, Peanut bit an officer, prompting a rabies test that required euthanasia. The same fate befell another of Longo’s pets, Fred the raccoon, sparking national outrage, particularly among Trump supporters who labeled the euthanizations as acts of government overreach.

Peanut’s tragic story inspired several meme coins, including PNUT, which achieved viral success.

Legal Action Against Binance and Coinbase

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Longo announced his legal team had issued a cease-and-desist letter to Binance, the first exchange to list PNUT. He criticized the platform for allegedly profiting from his story and images without authorization.

“My legal team initiated action against Binance for unauthorized use of my intellectual property, including images and stories featuring my beloved animals. This is the first of multiple cease-and-desist letters to be issued,” Longo wrote.

Longo has also signaled Coinbase as the next target in his campaign, stating:

“I’m coming for all the money earned from my IP on all exchanges. They will end up having to delist and pay serious [cheddar].”

Mixed Reactions From the Community

Longo’s legal threats have divided public opinion:

• Supporters applaud him for taking a stand against unauthorized use of his story and brand.
• Critics accuse him of opportunism, leveraging the coin’s success for personal gain.

One frustrated X user commented:

“What a scammer. Just lost all my sympathy for the dude.”

A Precedent in the Making?

The case highlights a growing issue in the cryptocurrency space: the creation of meme coins that leverage viral stories or public figures without consent. If successful, Longo’s legal campaign could set a new precedent for how intellectual property disputes are handled in the world of crypto.

With cease-and-desist letters piling up and exchanges potentially forced to delist PNUT, the outcome of this legal battle could have significant ramifications for the meme coin market.

Stay tuned as this story unfolds.