The Ethereum NFT collection Pudgy Penguins has reportedly bolstered its partnership with the American multinational retail corporation Walmart by adding Pudgy Toys to 1,100 new locations. With the addition of these collectible toys to new stores, Pudgy Penguin’s Pudgy Toys are now available across 3,100 Walmart stores across the US.
According to a press release, Pudgy Penguins’ expansion of NFT collectibles marks a significant milestone in the Pudgy Penguins-Walmart collaboration. The NFT platform shared an X post, asserting, “The path to Web3 mainstream adoption continues.”
Luca Netz, the CEO of Pudgy Penguins, commented that integrating innovative blockchain technology into traditional digital platforms fosters enhanced consumer experiences. Netz added,
Our strategic collaboration with Walmart has allowed Pudgy Penguins to reach new heights in the consumer market. The expansion into additional Walmart locations, alongside exclusive toy offerings, underscores the enduring appeal of Pudgy Penguins characters.
In September 2023, Pudgy Penguins announced its strategic alliance with Walmart to bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds of play. Later, in December 2023, the NFT platform introduced the Web3 game Pudgy World, powered by Ethereum’s Layer 2 scaling solution, zkSync.
Following the recent development, zkSync shared an X post, acknowledging Pudgy Penguins and Pudgy World as the “Trojan horse to bring Web3 mainstream.” In addition, a prominent figure in the blockchain space known on X as Andy responded to the development, citing, “The penguin is the penguin.”
As per the official announcement, Walmart stores now hold Pudgy Penguins’ exclusive collections, including five Pudgy figurines and 25 Lil Pudgys mystery igloos with unique Pudgy characters inside. Reportedly, the QR codes of these toys allow users to unlock traits and collectibles inside Pudgy World.
