Why was Joe Exotic (Joseph Maldonado Passage) from the Netflix viral series “Tiger King” involved in a new meme coin that Solana debuted from jail earlier this year?
“I am knee deep in legal bills”, he said. Decrypt The interviewer claimed that the project would benefit both children and nonprofits like Operation Smile.
He didn’t create the coin. The 62 year old, who spent seven years in prison, did not. He said that his attorneys helped him to get the “Official Tiger King”, which started trading on Monday under the ticker EXOTIC, off the ground.
Many celebrity meme coins are just a flash. The value of these coins is often dependent on how quickly people notice them. Some are tarnished by accusations of insider dealing. Exotic expressed his hope that the token he has created won’t become another case.
Don’t forget this too. Do not forget this. It’s hard to find an honest celebrity coin. Track the wallets, they are all on https://t.co/NoBlv57TF8 . Imagine the value of @realDonaldTrump’s pardon when I am pardoned.
You heard me last night on Spaces, but we’re just getting started. Its… https://t.co/moNCRG63pl
— Joe Exotic (@joe_exotic) March 28, 2025
Former wildlife park owner: “I beg God to not rug it up and ruin my good name.” “I'm hoping that people will see this is legit and it has a purpose.”
The popularity of celebrity memes is nothing new. However, it reached its peak last year with the likes of Caitlyn, Jason, Derulo and Cardi B. Hailey Welch – also known by the nickname “Hawk Tuahgirl” – was one of many who were caught unawares. After it imploded, her coin, called HAWK became a disaster. The spokesperson said Decrypt she “had zero control over it.”
EXOTIC was launched by a launchpad that is little known called pumpkin.fun. Market cap of the meme coin initially soared to $900,000. But it’s now just above $100,000 according to cryptocurrency data provider GeckoTerminal. Blockchain data shows that it is held by less than 900 people in total.
Exotic’s website does not mention the goal to contribute funds to Operation Smile. It does state that the tokens donated will go to a charity supporting animals or tigers upon his release. Exotic, formerly Twitter’s, account said that it donated $1,000 on Friday.
Exotic said that his lawyers backed his idea to create a coin to promote his charitable efforts. Exotic said this was the reason he should be free. He didn’t want to spend his time “sitting around watching other people take drugs all day”.
Project Smiles and Exotic Attorneys did not respond when asked for comments by Decrypt.
According to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons, Exotic has been held in FMC Fort Worth. He uses his telephone regularly to communicate with outsiders, and keeps fans updated via podcasts, as well as X Spaces.
Exotic is a crypto expert who has learned a great deal from his fellow inmates. He is familiarized with some key terms but his actual experience has admittedly been limited.
“There's not a lot to do all day besides sit and talk to people who know shit,” he said. “I’m a busy person, but don’t know even how to setup a wallet.”
My boy, I’m proud!
— Joe Exotic (@joe_exotic) November 15, 2024
According to the federal court, Joe Exotic will be sentenced again in 2021 for 21 years. Associated Press. He was convicted for a scheme of killing five tigers to get money, selling tiger babies, and falsifying animal records.
Exotic insists on his innocence while simultaneously urging U.S. president Donald Trump to pardon him via social media.
A meme coin, called the “Tiger King Coin”, was also launched in 2021. Exotic claimed he had a right to 1%, but he never learned who the people behind it were. He is worried that the coin could influence how people perceive his new one.
Operation Smile was founded in 1982 and provides surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates for children around the globe. Exotic wants his meme coins to help the initiative.
He said, “People need to really invest in it.” I’d like to fix up to 500 kids. [faces] “Pay my attorney bills.”
Andrew Hayward is the editor
