Justice for P’Nut and Fred: Tragedy Sparks New Meme Coin

Less than a month after the tragic deaths of Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon, their owner, Mark Longo, has launched a Solana-based token called “Justice for P’Nut and Fred” (JUSTICE) in honor of his beloved pets.

The token, which was minted using the DeFi meme coin platform Pump.fun, has quickly gained traction, amassing a $53.8 million market cap and over 14,000 holders, according to Solscan.

A Personal Mission for Justice

In a video posted on Twitter, Longo spoke about his decision to launch the token, citing the need to stand up against what he called government overreach.

“The government’s not gonna get away with this,” Longo said. “Justice will be served, for not only Fred and Peanut […] We will show the world that it’s not okay to overstep boundaries.”

Longo also criticized the crypto community for profiting off his personal trauma:

“The crypto world has taken my tragedy and has profited every which way possible. The fact that people wanna make money off this is nothing short of despicable.”

Despite his criticisms, Longo is now actively participating in the crypto space through the launch of JUSTICE.

The Backstory: Peanut and Fred

Peanut (stylized as P’Nut) and Fred lived at Longo’s animal sanctuary in Pine City, New York. Peanut, in particular, had become a social media sensation with over 500,000 followers, known for his playful antics and connection with Longo.

On October 30, New York State environmental officers raided Longo’s sanctuary, citing laws against keeping wildlife as pets. Peanut and Fred were seized, and Peanut was reportedly euthanized on November 1 after allegedly biting someone during the raid.

The incident ignited public outrage, sparking a political firestorm.

Political and Social Fallout

The deaths of Peanut and Fred became a rallying cry during the U.S. presidential election. Vice President-elect JD Vance criticized the government’s actions, labeling them as “overreach” during a rally in North Carolina.

Elon Musk also weighed in, calling the situation “messed up” in a series of tweets. Musk’s comments fueled a frenzy among crypto traders, who quickly created and hyped the PNUT meme coin, pushing its market cap to over $1 billion at its peak.

Controversy Surrounding JUSTICE

Despite JUSTICE’s rapid success, some PNUT community members have accused Longo of profiting from donations intended to support his sanctuary, claiming he sold $50,000 in contributions shortly after receiving them.

Longo, however, has framed JUSTICE as the only legitimate token tied to his cause:

“This is the only coin I will be affiliated with forever,” he said in his announcement.

Broader Implications for Meme Coins

The rise of JUSTICE comes amid increased scrutiny of meme coins and their legal ramifications.

For instance, Philip Banks, the artist behind the viral “Chill Guy” meme, recently announced plans to take legal action against meme coins using his artwork without authorization. This comes as the Solana-based token CHILLGUY surged from $13 million to over $517 million in market cap over just three days.

A Symbol of Protest

JUSTICE represents more than just a meme coin—it has become a symbol of resistance against perceived government overreach and a testament to the power of internet culture in shaping real-world movements.

Whether the token will maintain its momentum or face the same scrutiny as other meme coins remains to be seen, but for now, it stands as a rallying point for those seeking accountability and change.