Elon Musk Drops Epstein ‘Peanut’ Bomb — PNUT Coin Explodes 10%

Christian Encila

3 months ago

3 mins read

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A sudden social media jab sent Solana’s Peanut the Squirrel token soaring this week. In a Tuesday post, billionaire Elon Musk criticized US authorities for ignoring names on the Jeffrey Epstein “client list”, quipping that “more squirrels and raccoons have been arrested” than any Epstein affiliates.

A nod to a squirrel named Peanut—said to have been “arrested (and killed)”—coincided with a sharp pop in the PNUT token’s value. According to on‑chain data, PNUT climbed over 10% in 24 hours, touching $0.23 at one point.

Elon Musk Highlights Justice Concerns

Based on reports, Musk’s post racked up more than 13.7 million views within hours. Traders quickly linked “Peanut” to the PNUT ticker. Almost immediately, PNUT price rose from about $0.22 to $0.23.

Peanut price up in the last 24 hours. Source: Coingecko

The token’s 24‑hour trading volume jumped roughly 80%, crossing $215 million. Market watchers estimate PNUT’s market cap now sits near $224 million, out of a total supply approaching 1 billion tokens.

Market Reaction Follows Viral Meme

Meme tokens often depend on hype, and PNUT was no exception. After Musk’s message spread, order books filled fast. Buy orders outnumbered sells, driving price momentum.

Crypto bots and retail traders piled in, hoping to catch the wave. Some investors told reporters they moved funds into PNUT within minutes of seeing Musk’s post.

They arrested (and killed) Peanut, but have not even tried to file charges against anyone on the Epstein client list.

Government is deeply broken. pic.twitter.com/YndRadQUBE

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 8, 2025

Token Jump Drives Trading Frenzy

Solana’s speedy network helped too. Transactions cleared in seconds, letting traders react without delay. That low‑fee environment amplifies meme coin rallies: when hype hits, people can buy or sell without worrying about high gas costs. In this case, volume spiked from around $120 million to $214 million in under a day.

PNUTUSDT currently trading at $0.22. Chart: TradingView

Looking Ahead, Caution Advised

Despite the rush, crypto veterans warn that PNUT’s gains could reverse just as fast. Meme tokens lack fundamentals, and hype fades quickly. Traders could face losses if views shift or if Musk moves on to the next joke.

For now, Musk’s satirical jab has put Peanut the Squirrel on center stage. Whether PNUT can hold its gains may depend on more viral moments—and on whether investors remember to take profits before the next twist.

No ‘Client List’

Meanwhile, according to a memo obtained by Axios, the Justice Department and FBI under US President Donald Trump found no evidence that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein blackmailed powerful individuals, kept a “client list,” or was murdered.

Featured image from Meta, chart from TradingView

Christian Encila

They say journalists never truly clock out. But for Christian, that's not just a metaphor, it's a lifestyle. By day, he navigates the ever-shifting tides of the cryptocurrency market, wielding words like a seasoned editor and crafting articles that decipher the jargon for the masses. When the PC goes on hibernate mode, however, his pursuits take a more mechanical (and sometimes philosophical) turn.

Christian's journey with the written word began long before the age of Bitcoin. In the hallowed halls of academia, he honed his craft as a feature writer for his college paper. This early love for storytelling paved the way for a successful stint as an editor at a data engineering firm, where his first-month essay win funded a months-long supply of doggie and kitty treats – a testament to his dedication to his furry companions (more on that later).

Christian then roamed the world of journalism, working at newspapers in Canada and even South Korea. He finally settled down at a local news giant in his hometown in the Philippines for a decade, becoming a total news junkie. But then, something new caught his eye: cryptocurrency. It was like a treasure hunt mixed with storytelling - right up his alley!

So, he landed a killer gig at NewsBTC, where he's one of the go-to guys for all things crypto. He breaks down this confusing stuff into bite-sized pieces, making it easy for anyone to understand (he salutes his management team for teaching him this skill).

Think Christian's all work and no play? Not a chance! When he's not at his computer, you'll find him indulging his passion for motorbikes. A true gearhead, Christian loves tinkering with his bike and savoring the joy of the open road on his 320-cc Yamaha R3. Once a speed demon who hit 120mph (a feat he vowed never to repeat), he now prefers leisurely rides along the coast, enjoying the wind in his thinning hair.

Speaking of chill, Christian's got a crew of furry friends waiting for him at home. Two cats and a dog. He swears cats are way smarter than dogs (sorry, Grizzly), but he adores them all anyway. Apparently, watching his pets just chillin’ helps him analyze and write meticulously formatted articles even better.

Here's the thing about this guy: He works a lot, but he keeps himself fueled by enough coffee to make it through the day - and some seriously delicious (Filipino) food. He says a delectable meal is the secret ingredient to a killer article. And after a long day of crypto crusading, he unwinds with some rum (mixed with milk) while watching slapstick movies.

Looking ahead, Christian sees a bright future with NewsBTC. He says he sees himself privileged to be part of an awesome organization, sharing his expertise and passion with a community he values, and fellow editors - and bosses - he deeply respects.

So, the next time you tread into the world of cryptocurrency, remember the man behind the words – the crypto crusader, the grease monkey, and the feline philosopher, all rolled into one.

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