Mark Longo, affectionately known as “Squirrel Dad,” has carved a unique niche in the realm of social media and animal advocacy after rescuing an eastern grey squirrel in 2017. This squirrel, dubbed “P’Nut,” captured the hearts of millions through an engaging Instagram account titled “P.NUT Sanctuary.” Here, followers were treated to captivating snapshots of P’Nut’s daily mischief, propelling the pet into a sought-after internet celebrity. The story took a distressing turn when the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation intervened in October 2024, leading to P’Nut’s unfortunate euthanization due to a rabies scare. This marked a heart-wrenching moment not only for Longo personally, but it also set the stage for ongoing tensions surrounding the squirrel’s legacy.
In December 2024, Mark Longo’s grief transitioned into a legal confrontation when he accused cryptocurrency giant Binance of misappropriating his intellectual property. In a letter publicized on social media, Longo contended that Binance had unlawfully utilized branding associated with “Peanut the Squirrel” for its cryptocurrency operations, particularly through a trading feature labeled PNUT. Longo emphasizes that the unauthorized use of his images, trademarks, and branding could mislead customers into associating these cryptocurrency offerings with his advocacy for animal welfare. Demanding immediate cessation of these activities, Longo set a deadline of December 17 for Binance to comply—or he would not hesitate to pursue legal recourse under the U.S. Copyright Act.
The Fallout and Response
Despite the gravity of his accusations, Binance had not publicly responded when Longo shared his intentions, creating a suspenseful atmosphere within the crypto community. The situation escalated as Longo expressed disappointment over how the cryptocurrency world seemingly profited from the emotional trauma surrounding P’Nut’s passing. He even launched the Justice for Pnut and Fred (JUSTICE) token as a rebuttal to the opportunistic rise of the PNUT coin, which was brought to market shortly after P’Nut’s untimely death. While the PNUT coin experienced initial success—valuation skyrocketing to over $1 billion upon its debut on Binance—Longo’s own JUSTICE token endured a rapid decline of more than 99%, further indicating the volatility prevalent in cryptocurrency markets.
As of now, the market continues to witness fluctuations. The JUSTICE token has seen a minor uptick of 34% since its lowest valuation, reflecting a current market cap of approximately $373,026, significantly diminished from its original launch value. Meanwhile, PNUT has faced a 4.1% dip recently, yet it maintains a market cap exceeding $1 billion. Although these figures indicate a rocky ride, particularly for Longo’s tokens, the fervor surrounding this dispute showcases the complicated relationship between animal advocacy, personal tragedy, and the often uncaring nature of speculative markets.
The legal confrontation between Mark Longo and Binance is not just about financial repercussions; it’s a profound reflection on how easily an individual’s heart-wrenching story can morph into a tool for commercial gain, prompting essential questions about ethics in the monetization of digital culture.
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