Published Jan 16, 2025
In the ever-evolving blockchain world, where technological breakthroughs often outpace mainstream understanding, a few visionary leaders stand out. Luca Netz, CEO of Pudgy Penguins, is one such leader. Known for transforming the Pudgy Penguins NFT collection into a cultural phenomenon, Netz’s insights extend far beyond his own brand.
In a recent appearance on the Blockworks Empire podcast, hosted by Jason Yanowitz and Santiago R Santos, Luca speaks clearly on ZKsync’s competitive edge as the leading tech stack to deploy an L2.
“ZKsync does all the things I need it to. They’re ahead of the curve by a Texas mile on account abstraction. They have low fees, fast transactions, and I believe in that tech stack to power the types of chains we want to build.”
Listen to the full episode.
Luca Netz’s Vision: Beyond Memes and Markets
Pudgy Penguins has become synonymous with creativity and inclusivity in the crypto space. Netz champions an important principle that blockchain can—and should—reach every demographic, from seasoned crypto investors to youth encountering digital assets for the first time. For Netz, the future of blockchain isn’t just about building infrastructure; it’s about crafting experiences that resonate universally.
“Everybody loves the penguin,” Netz says, underscoring the universal appeal of the Pudgy Penguins brand. From toys on retail shelves to viral social media content, Pudgy Penguins demonstrates how blockchain-backed IP can connect with diverse audiences.
A critical enabler of Netz’s vision is ZKsync due to its account abstraction and interoperability. With ZKsync, founders like Netz can focus on building consumer-facing experiences without worrying about the technical friction that often deters mainstream users.
“The ZK stack is lightyears ahead,” Netz noted, praising ZKsync for solving hurdles like low fees, fast transactions, and seamless user interactions. This combination of advanced technology and intuitive usability makes ZKsync a cornerstone for projects that want to focus on building consumer applications without reinventing the underlying technology
The ZKsync team is excited to share details of the Atlas upgrade for the ZK Stack, which provides a major step forward towards the vision of a network of sovereign chains, secured by cryptography and powering the global economy.
