Latest Pudgy Rods News

Spencer Ventures Acquires 3AC's Pudgy Penguins
Logan Hitchcock

Spencer Ventures announced the acquisition of 48 Pudgy Penguins NFTs from the Stary Night/3AC Collection, purchased via a deal with Sotheby's. 

The Deets

  • Acquisition includes the Pudgy Penguins and Pudgy Rods from the 3AC Collection. 
  • Thesis: revives hope in the NFT community, showcasing the potential of projects.
  • Support: Pudgy Penguin GIF impressions surpass global population count.
  • Support: Pudgy Penguins licensing opportunities with Pudgy Toys and more. 

The Bulk

Spencer Ventures showcased major support for the Pudgy Penguins brand, acquiring 48 Pudgy Penguins and the corresponding Pudgy Rogs from the now infamous Three Arrows Capital NFT collection. 

In the announcement, Spencer indicated that Pudgy Penguins has successfully etched its place in the digital space and has a chance to lead the charge for NFTs in the future. In support of the thesis, the investor indicated the major adoption the Pudgy IP has experienced via impressions globally, particularly through GIFs. He also indcated the potential for licensing opportunites, as evidence by the recent Walmart launch with Pudgy Toys, marks Pudgys as a leader in the space.

📊 By the Numbers

Though no official deal metrics have been shared, Spencer told Blockworks that the group had reached a deal with Sotheby's in the "mid-six figures."

❗Why It Matters

The acquisition underscores the growing confidence in Pudgy Penguins as a leader in the NFT sector. 

🎤 Investor Insights


Quite simply put, Pudgy Penguins seems incredibly well positioned to lead the next cycle in NFTs.Spencer

 

🔜 What's Next?

Spencer additionally teased something "lil" on the horizon for the Pudgy Penguins community, sharing an image of a Lil Pudgy alongside. 


For more web3 and NFT news, visit the Lucky Trader newsfeed.

Spencer Ventures Acquires 3AC's Pudgy Penguins
Pudgy Penguins Toys Now In 2,000 Walmart Stores
Logan Hitchcock

Pudgy Penguins toys are now for sale in Walmart, starting with the mainstream entry of Pudgy Toys in 2,000 nationwide stores.

The Deets

  • 26 Pudgy Toys sold in 2,000 Walmarts across the US, priced from $2.99-$11.97
  • Each Pudgy Toy acts as a portal to Pudgy World, an immersive open-world digital player experience.
  • NFT Collaboration: Toys incorporate traits from popular NFT collections like Meebits and DeGods, offering licensing royalties to existing NFT holders.

The Bulk

Pudgy Penguins announced its newest retail venture: Pudgy Toys, now available in 2,000 Walmart stores across the U.S. 

Luca Netz, CEO of Pudgy Penguins, emphasized the significance of this partnership: "Merging unique digital experiences with blockchain technology is transforming the toy industry. Walmart's inclusion symbolizes the evolving consumer-brand relationship in the digital age."

Every Pudgy Toy sold in Walmart acts as a key to the digital realm of Pudgy World. Users can immerse themselves in this open-world multiplayer digital experience, by scanning the QR code on the toy's included birth certificate. Scanning the QR enables users to claim specific traits for their digital Pudgy character.

Additionally, the toy designs incorporate traits from globally popular NFT collections like DeGods and Meebits, ensuring existing NFT holders gain licensing royalties for each corresponding toy sold.

🎤 Retail Reacts


Pudgy Penguins bridges our physical and digital play realms. Their innovative approach and pricing align with our commitment to providing Every Day Low pricesBrittany Smith, Walmart US VP of Merchandising

📊 By the Numbers

Three toys will be exclusive to Walmart - two chrome collectible figures inside mystery Igloos and a Blind Box with a Clip-On Plush. Lastly, buying Pudgy Toys will offer consumers the chance to find a golden ticket, which unlocks rare traits for Pudgy World. 

🎬 Take Action

Those interested can find Pudgy Toys now available in Walmart, and access the Pre-Alpha of Pudgy World accessible at www.PudgyWorld.com.

🧠 Learn More 


For more web3 and NFT news, visit the Lucky Trader newsfeed.

Pudgy Penguins Toys Now In 2,000 Walmart Stores
Pudgy Toys Are Live
Logan Hitchcock

Pudgy Penguins officially launched Pudgy Toys and Pudgy World, introducing the first-ever community-licensed mass-market products that blend NFTs and blockchain technology with physical toys.

The Deets

  • Pudgy Toys: First-ever mass-market product licensed directly from the community.
  • Pudgy World: A digital platform that provides a seamless introduction to blockchain technology and NFTs.
  • Soulbound and Tradeable NFTs: Pudgy Toys come with unique trait boxes that unlock Soulbound and Tradeable NFTs on Pudgy World.
  • Global Retail Presence: Pudgy Toys will be available in leading retail and specialty stores around the world, courtesy of Retail Monster and PMI Toys.

📊 By the Numbers

Prices range from $8.99 - $24.99 and shipping for Pudgy Toys will begin on June 3, with expected delivery in late June depending on your geographic location. 

The Bulk

Pudgy Penguins, one of the most recognizable names in the NFT space, is pioneering a groundbreaking initiative by launching Pudgy Toys and Pudgy World. 

Pudgy Toys are not just physical collectibles. Every purchased toy includes a birth certificate unlocking a unique trait box from Pudgy World's first season. These trait boxes hold a range of common to epic traits that owners can equip on their Forever Pudgy Penguins, leading to an enriched, personalized toy experience.

But that's not all. Each trait is minted on the blockchain as a tradable NFT, and the Forever Pudgy Penguin itself becomes a Soulbound NFT. The minting process is powered by 0xPolygonLabs and is gasless, while the traits marketplace utilizes Origin Protocol's technology.

❗Why It Matters

The launch of Pudgy Toys and Pudgy World represents a pivotal moment in the convergence of the NFT space and mainstream consumer products. Luca Netz has famously said that the toy line represents a "Trojan Horse" for those not in web3 to understand the power of digital collecting, the launch of Pudgy Toys is the first step.

🎬 Take Action

To purchase your Pudgy Toy and mint your Forever Pudgy Penguin, visit the official Pudgy Toys purchase page.

 

Pudgy Toys Are Live
Pudgy Toys Coming This Week
Logan Hitchcock

Pudgy Penguins will release "Pudgy Toys" on May 18, according to a teaser released by the project

🧐 Wait, What? 

Pudgy Penguins toyline was initially teased in February when the project announced it was working with Retail Monster to drop a collectible toys. You also might recall that tweet from project owner Luca Netz that teased a meeting with Walmart

❗️Why It Matters

Pudgy Penguins has recently been lauded for its ability to reach an audience outside of the existing web3 userbase and a line of toys in retail stores will only fuel the distribution of its IP beyond the walls of web3. 

🎤 Project Prose

 

🧠 Learn More

 

Pudgy Toys Coming This Week
Pudgy Penguins Adds $9M in Funding
Logan Hitchcock

Pudgy Penguins announced a $9 million seed round raise that will help scale its team and IP in a funding round led by 1KX. The news was first reported by CoinDesk.

❗️Why It Matters

Put simply, while many projects are running out of funds Pudgy Penguins has importantly added funds to its warchest. The project cemented itself as one of the leading web3 brands over the course of the last year and an infusion of capital should only bolster its potential impact and IP expansion moving forward. 

📊 By the Numbers

Pudgy Penguins is one of the lone NFT projects that has increased its floor price in the last year, growing since the takeover of the newest team headed by Luca Netz. The project is up more than 200 percent in the last year. 

🎬 Take Action

Listen to the team discuss the raise and answer questions during the Pudgy Penguins Seed Round Twitter Spaces at 4:30 p.m. ET.

🎤 Founder Feedback


Hey everyone I'm proud to announce our recent seed round, led by 1kx. We spent many months finding the right partners that were aligned with our vision and the interests of the community, and I'm glad to say that I believe we found the perfect partners to help take us to the new frontier. For the last year, we faced endless adversity, but together, we huddled and persevered in the toughest of times. The path to being the face of NFTs and #1 in the space won't be easy, but it will get done. Our only disadvantage up until this point had been our lack of capitalization, and today, I'm proud to say that we have evened the playing field. I hope you're ready...it's #PenguSzn.Luca Netz

Pudgy Penguins Adds $9M in Funding
Pudgy Penguins Invading Licensing Expo
Logan Hitchcock

Pudgy Penguins is set to represent web3 IP and technology at the Las Vegas Licensing Expo from June 13-15. 

The Deets

  • Pudgy Penguins to showcase alongside major character brands
  • Aim to represent web3 IP and technology
  • Licensing Expo connects influential brands and retailers

The Details

As part of its growth strategy, the Pudgy Penguins are forging partnerships to amplify their IP efforts. These collaborations will help them connect with key industry players, leveraging the power of NFTs and Web3 to create new opportunities in the world of character licensing.

The Las Vegas Licensing Expo serves as a hub for influential brands and retailers, facilitating deals that shape the industry landscape. 

❗️Why It Matters

Perhaps no project is thinking about IP expansion as aggressively as Pudgy Penguins, which has recently filed more trademark applications and worked with major retailers and brands to help push its Pudgy Toys line. The cute brand lends itself to a major demographic of potential consumers and is already making splashes with eyeballs outside of web3, most notably on Instagram where all the most recent posts have generated hundreds of thousands of impressions. 

🎬 Take Action

To learn more about the Licensing Expo or to purchase tickets, visit their website

🧠 Learn More

Pudgy Penguins Invading Licensing Expo
Pudgy Penguins Empowering Community Growth
Logan Hitchcock

Pudgy Penguins released a brand builders guide, pitch deck, and newcomers onboarding to empower community members and grow their personal brands while pushing forward the Penguin IP. 

The Deets:

  • Brand Builders Guide for Pudgy Penguins ecosystem
  • Pitch Deck to expand opportunities with Penguins
  • Newcomers Onboarding for understanding Pudgy Penguins

The Details

The Pudgy Penguins Brand Builders Guide offers resources for those looking to build within the Pudgy Penguins ecosystem, including colors, stylistic suggestions, character sheets, fonts, and more. By providing these guidelines, the team aims to make it easier for community members to utilize the Penguins' intellectual property (IP).

The Pudgy Penguins Pitch Deck is designed to help holders expand their opportunities with their Penguins, including in licensing. The pitch deck offers insights into the brand's accomplishments and provides suggestions on what to include in a presentation.

The Newcomers Onboarding is created for people new to The Huddle, the Pudgy Penguins community, helping them understand the overall vision of Pudgy Penguins and how each part plays a role in it.

❗️Why It Matters

Pudgy Penguins wishes to make its IP recognizable and available to the masses and leaning into its own community to help drive that growth seems like a smart play. Providing the tools and resources for community members to push the brand forward showcases a clear incentive alignment, something that's distinctly contradicted in many web2 brands that discourage the re-sharing or promotion of an entitie's content. 

🎬 Take Action

Penguing enthusists can xplore the resources provided by Pudgy Penguins:

 

Pudgy Penguins Empowering Community Growth
Pudgy Penguins Files Two New Trademark Applications
Bill Monighetti

Last week, Pudgy Penguins filed two new U.S. Trademark applications, as reported by trademark and copyright attorney, @NeerMcD.

❗ Why It Matters

CEO Luca Netz has been vocal that he envisions Pudgy Penguins existing as a brand outside of the NFT space, and today's news perhaps sheds a little light on exactly what Netz may have up his sleeve for the project's future.

🔎 The Deets

Mentioned in Application 97842598 are the following items:

  • Printed comic books; printed materials, namely novels and series of fiction books and short stories featuring scenes and characters based on video games
  • Collectable printed trading cards
  • Various merch items (hoodies, hats, pants, etc.)
  • Board games, puzzles, action figures, stuffed animals, trading card games, stress relief toys, social emotional toys, educational toys
  • Candy, various snacks, cereal, frozen yogurt
  • Retail store services featuring virtual goods
  • Entertainment services, namely providing virtual characters for use in online and virtual environments 
  • A website allowing users to upload and download music, video clips and images

Application 97842583 added these items:

  • Audio and video recording featuring music and artistic performances
  • Downloadable music files authenticated by NFTs
  • Downloadable multimedia file containing artwork relating to characters through NFTs or soulbound tokens

🕳️Go Deeper

Pudgy Penguins Files Two New Trademark Applications
Retail Monster to Help Launch Pudgy Toy Line
Bill Monighetti

Pudgy Penguins inked a partnership with Retail Monster to help "put our upcoming Pudgy Toyline on the shelves of retailers around the world," the project announced this afternoon.

❗ Why It Matters

The Pudgy Toyline is a major initiative for Pudgy Penguins, and today's announcement sheds more light on the project's plans for launch. Retail Monster's stated goal is to help "deliver family brands to retail."

🔍 Need to Know

  • Retail Monsters has experience representing large brands including Disney, Dreamworks and Hasbro.
  • Retail Monsters will additionally serve as licensing agents, presenting Pudgy Penguins with licensing opportunities through their partners and connections.
  • Ealier this month, Pudgy Penguins CEO Luca Netz shared a preview of what the upcoming Pudgy Penguin figurines may look like.

🧠 Learn More

Netz was vocal over the weekend in reaction to OpenSea's decision to temporarily reduce royalty fees, stating he didn't think he could have justified buying Pudgy Penguins for $2.5M without having the safety net of royalties to fall back on.

Netz further stated that Pudgy Penguins had been preparing for the move for 10 months, "so for us, it isn't detrimental." Netz is hopeful that the Pudgy Toyline, among other verticals, can boost revenue for the company in the coming days with the future of creator royalties looking unclear.

🎤 Community Feedback


This is huge! Congrats to @LucaNetz and and the rest of the team. Cant wait to get my hands on some Pudgy Plushies (jk idk what you will call them but, thats my vote)@TitoToro_

Retail Monster to Help Launch Pudgy Toy Line
Lil Pudgys Are Officially Cross-Chain
Bill Monighetti

The Pudgy Penguins Twitter account tweeted a video today featuring Lil Pudgys traveling through a portal to announce that, "The Lil Pudgys are officially cross-chain."

❗ Why it Matters

This announcement from Pudgy Penguins comes on the heels of Doodles' plans to move its expansion collection, Doodles 2, to the Flow blockchain. The future is indeed multi-chain. 

🧠 Need to Know

  • Lil Pudgy holders can visit bridge.pudgypenguins.com to travel across chains.
  • Supported chains currently include Arbitrum, Polygon, and BNB Chain.
  • This project is the product of a partnership Pudgy Penguins have entered into with LayerZero Labs.
  • The project's new soulTransport technology will reward holders who bridge their Lil Pudgy to another chain with a Soulbound Token.

📅 What's Next?

🕳️ Go Deeper

Lil Pudgys Are Officially Cross-Chain