The world of NFTs and blockchain gaming continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with groundbreaking developments shaping the future of digital ownership and interactive entertainment. This week, one of the most notable shifts occurred in the NFT marketplace: Pudgy Penguins has officially overtaken Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) in market capitalization, signaling a potential shift in collector sentiment and brand momentum.
Pudgy Penguins Shatters Records
In a surprising yet well-earned move, the Pudgy Penguins collection has surged in value, capturing the attention of investors and enthusiasts alike. Over the past week, the floor price climbed by 25%, rising from 7.29 ETH to 11.45 ETH—a staggering 57% increase since June 19, 2024. This growth pushed its total market cap to over 105,000 ETH, surpassing BAYC’s 101,000 ETH on July 3, 2024.
This momentum is not accidental. The formation of Igloo Inc., a parent company combining Pudgy Penguins and intellectual property firm OverpassIP, has laid the foundation for aggressive expansion. Igloo’s recent acquisition of Frame, an Ethereum-based rollup network focused on NFT creation and trading, further strengthens its technological infrastructure and long-term vision.
👉 Discover how top NFT projects are leveraging blockchain innovation to reshape digital collectibles.
Adding fuel to the fire, CEO Luca Netz publicly announced an ambitious target: 200 ETH per Pudgy Penguin. While bold, this vision reflects growing confidence in the brand’s ability to transcend digital art and become a mainstream lifestyle icon—much like traditional toy or entertainment franchises.
SBI Holdings Launches Expo 2025 Digital Wallet Project
In a significant move bridging real-world events and Web3 technology, SBI Holdings, a major Japanese financial services group and Ripple partner, is launching an NFT minting service for the upcoming World Expo 2025 in Osaka.
The initiative, known as the EXPO 2025 Digital Wallet, will operate on the XRP Ledger, offering attendees the chance to collect and create unique NFTs during the event. Limited to just 500 participants, the program includes exclusive perks such as lucky draws and prizes, aiming to showcase practical applications of blockchain in large-scale public experiences.
This project underscores how institutions are beginning to integrate NFTs into physical-world engagement, moving beyond speculation toward utility and memorabilia-based use cases.
Telegram Gaming Accelerator Ushers in a New Era
The explosive popularity of mini-games on Telegram shows no signs of slowing down. Notcoin, one of the earliest viral success stories in this space, has partnered with data analytics platform Helika to launch the Telegram Gaming Accelerator—a program designed to support developers building crypto-integrated games on Telegram.
By leveraging Helika’s AI-powered analytics, the accelerator will help creators optimize gameplay, retention, and monetization strategies. The goal? To replicate the viral loops seen in games like Notcoin, Hamster Kombat, and Catizen, but with stronger economic models and sustainable tokenomics.
What’s Next in Telegram Gaming?
- Catizen is preparing for its Phase III roadmap, which includes an anticipated airdrop scheduled for July 2024.
- Pixelverse has officially launched its native token, PIXFI, on The Open Network (TON), marking a pivotal step in its transition from game to ecosystem.
These moves highlight a broader trend: simple tap-to-earn mechanics are evolving into full-fledged blockchain gaming ecosystems with real token utility.
👉 See how emerging gaming tokens are redefining player incentives in Web3.
Nexon’s MapleStory N Enters Pioneer Test Phase
Global gaming giant Nexon, renowned for titles like MapleStory and Dungeon Fighter Online, has opened registration for the Pioneer Test of MapleStory N—its blockchain-powered MMORPG.
This test allows players worldwide to experience core features of the game by completing a survey on the official site. While details remain under wraps, the integration of NFTs and token-based rewards suggests Nexon is exploring ways to blend traditional game design with decentralized ownership.
As one of the first major legacy studios to enter the blockchain gaming arena at scale, Nexon’s approach could set a precedent for how established developers adopt Web3 without alienating their existing user base.
Market Overview: Gaming Tokens Down Amid Broader Correction
Despite strong project-level momentum, the broader gaming token sector saw a downturn this week. The total market capitalization of gaming tokens now stands at $21.13 billion, reflecting a 15.65% decline from the previous week.
This correction aligns with wider crypto market trends but doesn’t necessarily reflect weakening fundamentals. In fact, many projects are using this period to strengthen infrastructure, launch tokens, and prepare for upcoming mainnet releases.
Core Keywords & SEO Integration
This article focuses on key themes driving current interest in NFTs and blockchain gaming:
- NFT floor price
- Pudgy Penguins
- Bored Ape Yacht Club
- Telegram gaming
- blockchain gaming
- NFT minting
- gaming tokens
- Web3 games
These terms naturally appear throughout the content to align with high-intent search queries while maintaining readability and depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Pudgy Penguins surpass BAYC in market cap?
Pudgy Penguins surpassed BAYC due to a combination of strategic business moves—including the formation of Igloo Inc., acquisition of Frame, and strong community engagement—coupled with a 25% weekly increase in floor price. Unlike BAYC, which has faced brand controversies, Pudgy has positioned itself as family-friendly and accessible.
What is the EXPO 2025 Digital Wallet?
It’s an NFT initiative by SBI Holdings that allows World Expo 2025 attendees to mint and collect digital collectibles via the XRP Ledger. Limited to 500 users, it aims to demonstrate real-world NFT utility in large-scale events.
Is Telegram gaming sustainable long-term?
While early games relied on hype, newer projects like Pixelverse and Catizen are introducing real token utilities and governance models. With initiatives like the Telegram Gaming Accelerator, sustainability is becoming more viable through data-driven development.
How can I participate in MapleStory N’s Pioneer Test?
Visit the official Nexon website, complete a short survey, and register for access. The test is open globally and serves as a preview of Nexon’s vision for blockchain-integrated MMORPGs.
Are gaming tokens still a good investment?
Despite short-term volatility, gaming tokens tied to active ecosystems (like PIXFI) show long-term potential. Investors should focus on projects with clear roadmaps, strong teams, and real gameplay adoption.
What role does Frame play in Pudgy Penguins’ growth?
Frame is an Ethereum Layer-2 rollup acquired by Igloo Inc. It enables faster, cheaper NFT transactions and will serve as the backbone for future Pudgy Penguins launches and community-driven creations.
Final Thoughts
The lines between digital collectibles, gaming, and real-world experiences continue to blur. From Pudgy Penguins’ meteoric rise to institutional NFT adoption at World Expo 2025, we’re witnessing a maturation of the Web3 ecosystem—one where utility, branding, and user experience matter more than ever.
As blockchain gaming evolves beyond gimmicks into sustainable economies, now is the time to understand which projects are building lasting value—and which are merely riding the hype cycle.