Launched in 2021, Pudgy Penguins is an
Ethereum-based NFT collection consisting of 8,888 hand-drawn penguins, each with its own combination of traits such as outfits, accessories, and backgrounds and has since grown into a multi-platform brand spanning NFTs, gaming, digital identity, and a Solana-based token economy. After weathering the NFT market downturn, it returned stronger than ever. Its
Telegram game Pengu Clash has onboarded over 1.2 million users since May, while institutional players have rallied around the brand. With the SEC acknowledging a spot PENGU ETF and
Bitcoin breaking above $123,000, Pudgy Penguins has become one of the most watched NFT-native ecosystems of 2025.
But Pudgy Penguins has grown far beyond a simple profile picture project. After facing internal controversy and market decline, the project was acquired in 2022 by entrepreneur Luca Netz, who set out to transform it into a global digital-native brand. Under his leadership, Pudgy Penguins began expanding into gaming, retail, licensing, and ecosystem development across multiple chains.
Today, Pudgy Penguins is recognized not just for its community and design, but for its consistent execution and ability to adapt. It has become one of the few NFT brands to rebuild, grow, and thrive across both Web3 and mainstream channels.
1. Pengu Clash Game Brings Over 1.2 Million Users to Web3 Through Telegram
In May, Pudgy Penguins launched Pengu Clash, a Telegram-based game built on
The Open Network (TON). Unlike typical
Telegram mini-apps, Pengu Clash focuses on real skill. Players compete in fast-paced 1v1 battles powered by the Elympics engine, with options to earn rewards, customize their avatars with NFT cosmetics, and connect a
TON wallet for enhanced features and
airdrop eligibility.
Thanks to its no-login entry and polished gameplay, the game quickly exploded in popularity. By June, it had surpassed 1.2 million monthly users, with nearly 400,000 subscribers in its official Telegram community. For many new players, Pengu Clash served as a first exposure to both Pudgy Penguins and Web3 gaming, dramatically expanding the brand’s reach beyond the NFT-native audience.
2. $PENGU Surged 66% as Coinbase and Institutions Rallied Around Pudgy Penguins
On July 12, 2025, Coinbase updated its X profile picture to a Pudgy Penguin and posted the message: “new pfp, who dis.” The moment instantly went viral. Within hours, other major players followed, including VanEck, MoonPay, and AwakenTax, each updating their profiles to feature Pudgy Penguins. TRON founder Justin Sun also joined in, sharing a custom penguin styled with his signature look.
This wave of coordinated attention turned Pudgy Penguins into the cultural centerpiece of crypto Twitter almost overnight. The impact was immediate. Between July 11 and July 21, PENGU surged by approximately 141.2%, climbing from around $0.015 to over $0.037. NFT trading volume and floor prices also spiked, trading from 8 ETH to 16.4 ETH. Zooming out, the token has gained over 310% in the past month, fueled by cultural momentum and growing institutional interest.
3. SEC Acknowledges Spot PENGU ETF Filing, Signaling Institutional Attention
While the Pudgy brand was dominating social media, the U.S. SEC acknowledged a
spot ETF filing for PENGU submitted by Canary Capital. The proposal aims to hold 80 to 95% of its assets in PENGU tokens, with the remainder in Pudgy Penguins NFTs. This marks one of the only ETF filings to include a meme coin and an NFT collection together, placing Pudgy in a rare position alongside legacy names like Bitcoin and Dogecoin.
This milestone gave the project credibility beyond its community roots. Pudgy Penguins was gaining traction not just among collectors and gamers, but also in institutional conversations around token-backed financial products.
4. Bitcoin Breaks $123,000, Fueling the Broader Rally
Just as attention on Pudgy was peaking, Bitcoin crossed the $123,000 mark, reaching its highest level in months and triggering a broader shift in crypto sentiment. With risk appetite returning and traders looking for breakout assets, PENGU and other culturally strong tokens began to surge. For Pudgy Penguins, the timing couldn’t have been better.
With NFTs on Ethereum, a native token on Solana, and viral gaming traction on TON, Pudgy Penguins has quietly become one of the most cross-platform brands in Web3. Its July resurgence reflects a clear alignment between long-term execution, cultural relevance, and favorable market timing. Backed by strong community support and real user engagement across multiple ecosystems, Pudgy Penguins is shaping a new standard for how NFT-native brands scale in 2025.
Pudgy Penguins Ecosystem Explained: NFTs, Games, and More
The Pudgy Penguins brand has evolved into a robust multi-chain ecosystem that spans NFTs, gaming, social platforms, token utility, and physical products. Beyond the native token PENGU, the ecosystem includes several core components that together define the Pudgy universe in 2025.
1. NFT: Pudgy Penguins Main Collection (Ethereum)
Pengu Clash is Pudgy Penguins’ fast-growing skill-based game hosted on Telegram and built on The Open Network (TON). Players compete in 1v1 real-time matches powered by the Elympics engine, with optional NFT cosmetics, leaderboard rewards, and crypto wagering.
Since launch, the game has attracted over 1.2 million monthly users and nearly 400,000 Telegram subscribers. It also serves as a major airdrop gateway, and a desktop version built on Pudgy’s custom L2 chain, Abstract, is in development.
Pudgy Penguins entered the mainstream through a line of physical toys and collectibles, including plushies, figurines, and branded items, available in over 3,000 retail stores such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon. Each toy comes with a scannable QR code that unlocks a digital penguin in Pudgy World, creating a seamless bridge between physical products and digital experiences.
Notably, Pudgy Penguins made its retail debut ahead of viral brands like
LABUBU, setting an early precedent for Web3-native IP crossing into mass-market merchandising. Its physical-to-digital strategy, combined with wide retail distribution, continues to position Pudgy as a first mover in the space.
Through the OverpassIP platform, NFT holders can also license their Pudgy Penguins for use in merchandise, earning royalties and transforming community-owned characters into real-world IP assets.
How to Buy PENGU on BingX
PENGU, the utility token of the Pudgy Penguins ecosystem, is available for trading on BingX. Users can access it through the spot market and use it within the Pudgy ecosystem, including games, collectibles, and future token-based activities. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to buy PENGU on BingX:
Step 1: Log In or Create an Account
Log in to your BingX account. If you don’t have one, you can register using an email or mobile number. Completing identity verification (
KYC) is required for full access to trading features.
Step 2: Deposit Funds
Go to the Buy Crypto section to deposit funds into your account. BingX supports several payment options such as bank transfer, credit or debit card, and peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions.
Step 3: Find the PENGU/USDT Pair
Navigate to the
Spot trading section and search for
PENGU/USDT. Select the pair to view the trading interface.
Step 4: Place Your Order
Choose between a
Market Order to buy at the current price or a Limit Order to set your preferred entry. Enter the amount and confirm the order.
Trade PENGU with Futures, and Copy Trading
Once your trade is complete, PENGU will appear in your BingX spot wallet. You can choose to hold it, transfer it to an external wallet, or use it within the Pudgy Penguins ecosystem.
For more active strategies, BingX also offers:
• Copy trading, which allows you to follow and replicate the strategies of top-performing traders automatically
These features give you more flexibility depending on your trading experience and risk preferences.
Pudgy Penguins Future Outlook
PENGU has emerged as a standout token in 2025, supported by a growing multi-chain ecosystem, active community, and increasing institutional interest.
One of the most notable developments is the SEC’s acknowledgment of a spot PENGU ETF filing. If approved, it could bring the token broader exposure and legitimacy. At the same time, PENGU’s integration into platforms like Pengu Clash, Pudgy World, and token-gated experiences continues to expand its utility.
With NFTs on Ethereum, a token on Solana, and games on TON, Pudgy Penguins is reaching users across chains and platforms. Combined with Bitcoin’s rise above $123,000, the project is benefiting from a renewed wave of market optimism.
Looking ahead, the Pudgy team’s focus on gaming, licensing, and cross-platform access suggests that PENGU will play a growing role as both a reward and engagement layer within one of Web3’s most recognizable brands.
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