Pudgy Penguins’ PENGU draws fresh bullish attention as brand pushes beyond NFTs PENGU, the Solana-based token tied to the Pudgy Penguins ecosystem, is attracting renewed optimism from traders and analysts who say the asset looks undervalued despite a broader cooldown in meme-coin mania. Prominent trader Altcoin Sherpa told followers that PENGU doesn’t look like a viable short at current levels, pointing to the token’s presence in a high-volume trading zone and what he described as “relatively strong fundamentals.” He suggested accumulation, especially if macro conditions — namely Bitcoin’s trend — improve, and disclosed he holds a position in the token. “I don’t see this as an area you should be shorting,” he wrote, adding that PENGU “still has a ton of great fundamentals” and could “perform well once Bitcoin is in a healthier trend.” Other market voices have echoed a constructive view. Crypto analyst Ali Martinez said PENGU’s current chart structure resembles Pepe’s early technical setup prior to its parabolic run, implying potential for a similar breakout. Trader Awan argued the token’s appeal isn’t purely speculative, noting the strength of the Pudgy Penguins brand and real-world execution. Awan pointed to PENGU’s Solana launch, a community-first airdrop model and long-term team vesting as indicators of a more sustainable distribution approach and went as far as to call a $1 price target “inevitable over time.” From NFT project to consumer brand Pudgy Penguins began in 2021 as an Ethereum NFT collection of 8,888 cartoon penguins and quickly grew a devoted community around its playful art and accessible branding. After internal disputes and stalled development, entrepreneur Luca Schnetzler (also known as Luca Netz) acquired the IP in 2022 for roughly 750 ETH and steered the project away from being solely an NFT collection toward a broader Web3 consumer brand. Under that pivot, Pudgy Penguins expanded into physical merchandise, licensing and mainstream retail — including plush toys sold through outlets such as Walmart and Amazon — positioning itself as a bridge between crypto-native communities and mass-market audiences. The team has also pushed into gaming: Pudgy Party, the project’s mobile game, has exceeded 1 million players, won industry awards and is releasing new seasons monthly, signaling sustained user engagement and ongoing development. Why supporters say PENGU could differ from meme coins Backers argue the combination of an established IP, tangible product tie-ins and an expanding ecosystem gives PENGU a different profile from short-lived meme tokens. The token’s Solana-native launch, distribution mechanics and vesting schedule are cited as further evidence of a deliberate, longer-term approach. That said, skeptics will point out the same risks that affect much of crypto: broad market conditions and Bitcoin’s trajectory remain key variables for token performance. For now, traders leaning bullish on PENGU believe the Pudgy Penguins’ shift from an NFT play to a consumer-facing Web3 brand could give the token greater staying power in the next market cycle. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news