With the introduction of its Pudgy Toys line, Pudgy Penguins has officially bridged the gap between Web3 and traditional retail. CEO Luca Netz played a critical role in this evolution, turning Pudgy Penguins’ collection of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) into a tangible, widely popular product line known as Pudgy Toys. This design solution addressed a critical issue in the NFT and Web3 space — extending the value and appeal of digital-only assets into the physical world.  

Pudgy Toys launched in April 2023 and in the first year alone sold more than 750,000 units, generating $10 million in retail sales. The toys are also now sold in major retailers like Walmart, Target, Macy’s and Toys ‘R’ Us. At the heart of Pudgy Toys’ innovation is a robust NFT-driven royalty program — an initiative conceptualized and led by Luca.  

Despite being just 25 years old and having a challenging upbringing that included some time spent homeless, Luca has gained a reputation as one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs. He was one of Ring’s first employees and has helped build and scale several nine-figure brands including Von Dutch and Gel Blaster.