Crikey! A potentially lucrative crypto currency deal is set to make the Irwin family even RICHER

4 May 2022

in NFT

Reading Time: 6 mins read

The family of famed ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin may be about to become even richer after announcing a potentially lucrative plan involving cryptocurrency.

The Irwin’s, who are reputedly worth $121 million, have teamed with Australian company Meadow Labs, to launch a non-fungible token (NFT) – a project that will help raise funds to protect Australian Wildlife.

NFTs are in essence digital artworks that can be sold or traded and are stored on a virtual ledger known as a blockchain.

Zoo Empire: The family of famed ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin are set to become even richer after announcing a potentially lucrative plan involving cryptocurrency

New deal: The Irwin’s, who are reputedly worth $121 million, have teamed with an Australian company, Meadow Labs to launch a non-fungible token (NFT) – a project that will help raise funds to protect Australian Wildlife. Pictured from left: Chandler Powell, Bindi Irwin with daughter Grace, Terri Irwin and Robert Irwin

All proceeds will go to Australia Zoo and the Irwin’s major conservation and protection project, Wildlife Warriors.

‘Any innovation that can help our conservation efforts, particularly one that shares our vision of protecting the planet, is something we’re thrilled to support,’ explains Robert Irwin.

NFTs are purchased using cryptocurrencies such as BitCoin and Ethereum, both of which have been deemed environmentally unethical by critics, citing the extremely high carbon dioxide emissions involved in producing the virtual currency.

However, Meadow Labs say they are using an environmentally ethical blockchain called Alogrand.

‘(It is) created on Algorand – the world’s first carbon-negative blockchain with 0.01 gas and transaction fees (transaction fees get converted into carbon offsets),’ the company said in a statement.

Robert Irwin, 18, runs Australia Zoo with his sister Bindi, 23 and mother Terri, 57, the widow of Steve.

Some reports have suggested that the combined worth of the Irwin’s individual earnings is in excess of $121 million.

This sum includes profits derived from Australia Zoo and other media interests, including the long-running TV series Crikey! It’s The Irwins.

A world famous conservationist, Steve died on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary in Batt Reef, Queensland.

The news of the latest project comes after Bindi Irwin announced last week that the family would be opening up luxury accommodation at Australia Zoo.

Lucrative: Some reports suggest that the combined worth of the Irwin’s individual earnings is estimated in excess of $121 million Pictured with Crocodile display are Bindi, Chandler and Robert

Named The Crocodile Hunter Lodge, after her late father, it will be open to guests at the popular Sunshine Coast tourist attraction from June.

Bindi shared the news on Instagram, saying it had been a long-held dream of her Steve’s to combine wildlife conservation with a five-star holiday experience.

Meanwhile, Terri Irwin recently revealed that the family business had suffered terribly during the long periods of Covid restrictions.

Feeding time: Robert and Terri Irwin (background) at work at the family business, Australia Zoo

Terri admitted she’d taken out a bank loan to secure the zoo’s future, after months of border closures impacted their revenue due to lack of tourists.

The Irwin matriarch noted the early months of the pandemic were difficult because she needed to spend $80,000 a week just to feed the 1,200 animals.