From NFTs to Memecoins: The Rise of Onchain Media Franchises

Pudgy Penguins has become an iconic case study in the NFT space, not just for the collectible value of its art, but for its ability to evolve into a media franchise that survived the bear market. This success didn’t come by chance—it came through a clear model that allowed their token to act as the core of a much larger ecosystem. While many NFT projects struggled to maintain relevance, Pudgy Penguins found its footing by turning the $PUDGY token into more than just a currency, using it to expand into new media forms and tangible products.

One of the most significant milestones for the project was their partnership with Walmart, showcasing that NFTs could go beyond the digital world and tap into mainstream markets. Pudgy Penguins is proof that an NFT project can transcend its initial phase and build a full media franchise—and it’s something that others are beginning to replicate.

What sets Pudgy Penguins apart is its ability to integrate NFTs into a broader media ecosystem. At its core, Pudgy Penguins is about building a brand around its characters. It’s no longer just a collection to be bought and sold; it’s an evolving media experience. Their Instagram presence is just one example of how they’ve turned digital art into real-world engagement, and their plans for a video game show that the potential for media expansion is limitless.

This isn’t an isolated case. It’s a glimpse of what NFTs can do when they’re treated as the foundation for something far bigger. Pudgy Penguins is media—a collection of characters that form the heart of a growing ecosystem, and their success has proven that the NFT model is flexible enough to encompass much more than speculative assets.

If Pudgy Penguins showed us the potential of NFTs as a franchise, Nouns has taken this idea even further. Nouns is not just about the art—it’s about the values that drive the entire ecosystem. $NOUN is more than a token; it’s the governance model that fuels the broader network of projects. Each Noun represents not just a piece of art, but a stake in a growing franchise that spans art, culture, and collaboration.

The Nouns ecosystem is complex, but it’s unified by its clear values and commitment to decentralized governance. As a result, Nouns has seen numerous projects spawn under its brand, reinforcing the idea that NFTs can be the gateway to entire media franchises with their own communities, products, and narratives.

While NFTs were the first step in creating decentralized media franchises, we’re now seeing the same models being applied to memecoins. The shift is happening in real time, with projects like Higher leading the charge.

Higher is a great example of how memecoins are evolving into full-fledged media franchises. The $HIGHER token is more than just a meme—it’s the foundation for an entire digital ecosystem. Like Pudgy Penguins, Higher is using its token to fuel not only financial exchanges but also to build a narrative, create content, and expand its reach into the real world. The focus isn’t just on currency; it’s on creating a community-driven ecosystem that thrives around the token.

What’s happening with Higher is not new; it’s part of a trend that began with Nouns and Pudgy Penguins. We’ve already seen Nouns expand its ecosystem with $NOGGLES and $NOUNS, and Pudgy Penguins is now following suit. This overlap between NFTs, memecoins, and media franchises demonstrates that the onchain model is flexible enough to thrive across different sectors, building economies that are about more than just speculative value.

As we move forward, it’s clear that onchain media franchises are not a passing trend—they’re past, present and future. The success of Pudgy Penguins, Nouns, and Higher shows that NFTs and memecoins can transcend the hype and become sustainable, community-driven ecosystems. Over the next few months, I’ll continue to dive into this emerging model, exploring how crypto is reshaping the media landscape and why it’s perfectly suited to build the next wave of media franchises.

This is just the beginning, and I’m excited to see where it goes.