# From NFTs to Memecoins: The Rise of Onchain Media Franchises *Last cycle survivors show the way forward * By [Path Forward](https://paragraph.com/@pathforward) · 2024-12-09 onchain --- **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 **$PUDGY token** into more than just a currency, using it to expand into new media forms and tangible products. One of the most significant milestones for the project was their partnership with **Walmart**, showcasing that NFTs could go beyond the digital world and tap into mainstream markets. **Pudgy Penguins** is proof that an NFT project can transcend its initial phase and build a full **media franchise**—and it’s something that others are beginning to replicate. * * * ### **NFT Media Franchises: Paving the Way** #### **Pudgy Penguins: More Than Just Collectibles** What sets **Pudgy Penguins** apart is its ability to integrate NFTs into a broader **media ecosystem**. At its core, Pudgy Penguins is about building a **brand** around its characters. It’s no longer just a collection to be bought and sold; it’s an evolving media experience. Their **Instagram presence** is just one example of how they’ve turned digital art into real-world engagement, and their plans for a **video game** show that the potential for media expansion is limitless. This isn’t an isolated case. It’s a glimpse of what **NFTs** can do when they’re treated as the foundation for something far bigger. **Pudgy Penguins** is **media**—a collection of characters that form the heart of a growing ecosystem, and their success has proven that the **NFT model** is flexible enough to encompass much more than speculative assets. #### **Nouns: Building an Ecosystem Through Value** If **Pudgy Penguins** showed us the potential of NFTs as a franchise, **Nouns** has taken this idea even further. **Nouns** is not just about the art—it’s about the values that drive the entire ecosystem. **$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. * * * ### **From NFTs to Memecoins** 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. * * * ### **Memecoins as Media Franchises** #### **Higher: Memecoins with a Purpose** **Higher** is a great example of how **memecoins** are evolving into full-fledged **media franchises**. The **$HIGHER token** is more than just a meme—it’s the foundation for an entire **digital ecosystem**. Like **Pudgy Penguins**, Higher is using its token to fuel not only **financial** exchanges but also to build a **narrative**, create **content**, and expand its reach into the real world. The focus isn’t just on **currency**; it’s on creating a **community-driven** ecosystem that thrives around the token. #### **Nouns and Pudgy Penguins: From NFTs to Memecoins** What’s happening with **Higher** is not new; it’s part of a trend that began with **Nouns** and **Pudgy Penguins**. We’ve already seen **Nouns** expand its ecosystem with **$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. * * * ### **The Future of Onchain Media Franchises** 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. --- *Originally published on [Path Forward](https://paragraph.com/@pathforward/rise-onchain-media)*