Pudgy Penguins Denies OpenSea Acquisition Rumors Amid Brand Expansion

July 27, 2025: Pudgy Penguins has officially denied speculation about acquiring OpenSea, choosing to highlight ongoing brand partnerships instead.

The rumors stemmed from old posts and coinciding announcements, but the project insists its focus lies elsewhere.

Pudgy Penguins shuts down OpenSea acquisition talk

Pudgy Penguins, the popular NFT brand, has officially denied ongoing speculation that it purchased OpenSea. In a post on X, Beau head of security for the project dismissed the claim directly, writing:

“Pudgy Penguins didn’t buy OpenSea… chill.”

The rumors originated from past remarks by Pudgy Penguins CEO Luca Netz, including an October 2024 post where he expressed interest in buying OpenSea. The chatter was reignited after Pudgy’s December announcements and OpenSea’s shift in token policies.

Despite the timing, Beau made it clear the speculation was misplaced.

“I don’t actually think acquiring OS rn would make a lot of sense for us,” he wrote.

He urged the community to redirect attention toward Pudgy’s real-world growth and brand collaborations.

Focus on partnerships and product growth

Rather than M&A rumors, Pudgy Penguins wants its community to spotlight real expansion. “Talk about partnering with Lufthansa and NASCAR,” Beau added, referencing the brand’s growing ecosystem of high-profile tie-ups.

Launched in July 2021, Pudgy Penguins consists of 8,888 NFT characters and has evolved into a broader consumer brand. The company has launched a physical toy line through PMI Toys and introduced OverpassIP, a licensing platform that enables NFT holders to monetize their characters.

More recently, Pudgy entered Web3 gaming with Pengu Clash, a competitive skill-based game built on The Open Network (TON). This aligns with the growing trend of NFTs being used in mini-games, tournaments, and metaverse experiences.

NFT market sees a rebound with CryptoPunks surge

The news coincides with a wider rebound in the NFT sector. According to DappRadar, total NFT market cap rose to $6.6 billion in July a 94% jump from June. Weekly trading volume climbed 51%, showing renewed interest in top-tier collections.

Ethereum-based CryptoPunks led the revival, with floor prices jumping 53% in July alone. On July 22, 83 Punks were purchased in a single day, raising floor prices to nearly $180,000. Analysts attribute this momentum to the brand’s status-symbol appeal and ongoing Web3 narrative.

While Pudgy Penguins may not be acquiring OpenSea anytime soon, its strategic partnerships and entry into gaming are signaling a different kind of expansion one rooted in global consumer reach.

What Has Happened So Far

• October 2024: Luca Netz says he wants to buy OpenSea in an X post.
• December 2024: Pudgy Penguins announces new brand partnerships.
• July 2025: OpenSea changes token support policies, adding fuel to speculation.
• July 2025: Pudgy launches Pengu Clash on TON blockchain.