Pudgy Penguins Take on Hollywood
In a feather-light move that’s sent ripples through the NFT world, the adorable NFT collection, Pudgy Penguins, has signed a major representation deal with none other than Hollywood’s famed talent agency, William Morris Endeavor (WME). This collaboration is like a penguin on ice—graceful yet ground-breaking!
On May 5, 2023, the announcement came soaring in via Twitter, where the Pudgy Penguins expressed their excitement about wanting to plunge into the realms of film, television, and gaming. This isn’t just a bunch of fluffy critters created for fun; they aim to chisel a niche in mainstream media. Like WME’s other clients, they plan to crack open a nut of strategic partnerships to reach fresh audiences!
The Penguins’ Journey So Far
Since waddling onto the scene in July 2021, Pudgy Penguins have sold an impressive $250.2 million in secondary market sales, placing them as the twenty-first highest-selling NFT project of all time, according to CryptoSlam. Quite the financial flipper for these little guys! Just last month, the project found a new home when Luca Netz, founder of Netz Capital, acquired it for a whopping 750 Ether (roughly $2.5 million at that time!).
Merch We Can Hug!
Pudgy Penguins aren’t just swimming in digital waters; they’re diving into physical merchandise. A soft launch of Pudgy Penguin figurines with certificates of authenticity hit specialty retail chains internationally. I don’t know about you, but nothing says ‘serious business’ like having collectibles on my desk that I can snuggle up with!
Bitblox Splashes into Web3 Gambling
If the Pudgy Penguins are the curators of cuteness, Bitblox is the maverick shaking up the gambling game. Recently launched, this new blockchain gaming studio plans to create a swarm of Web3 gambling games on the Solana-based Hxro Network.
Bitblox aims to bypass the traditional casino setup and focus on player-to-player games, where you put your skills against the competition instead of the ‘house.’ They’ve noticed that the online gambling industry was worth roughly $63.5 billion in 2022 and want to slice some of that pie. Who needs luck when you can have skill, right?
Art Meets Technology with Palm NFT Studio
In a blend of creativity and technology, Palm NFT Studio launched the Palm Generative Art Maker, a snazzy new tool that transforms how we create NFTs. Designed for Unreal Engine, this plug-in allows creators to whip up generative art and game-ready 3D assets without requiring a PhD in coding. It’s the equivalent of giving an artist a magical paintbrush—easy to use and the artistry speaks for itself!
Jumping on the Digital Star Wars Train
In other exciting news, the startup Cryptoys is set to launch Star Wars NFTs on the Flow blockchain. The collection of digital toys, resembling Funko Pop figurines, will unleash on May 24, with a randomized “blind box” system for buyers. Where else can you get a Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, or Princess Leia for just $39.99? Talk about a ‘force’ to be reckoned with!
In the World of Regulations and Convictions
The crypto landscape is not all playful penguins and whimsical toys. Kenya is contemplating a 3% tax on crypto and NFT transfers and a 15% tax on online content. Meanwhile, a former OpenSea executive was convicted of wire fraud and money laundering—serving as a reminder that not everything in the digital realm is rosy. It seems even in the world of crypto and NFTs, the phrase ‘what goes around, comes around’ might hold weight.
