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 here.

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

Netz’s emphasis on creating cultural relevance within blockchain is a guiding principle for projects looking to succeed in web3. He argues that memes, tokens, and NFTs shouldn’t remain stagnant symbols. Instead, they should evolve into cultural phenomena that inspire demand and emotional connection.

“Why stop with a singular image or a token?” Netz asked. “The highest upside for these tokens is for them to become cultural phenomena.” Pudgy Penguins exemplifies this philosophy, blending blockchain innovation with mass-market appeal through retail partnerships, viral media, and community engagement.

For Netz, ZKsync is not just another platform, but a tool for creators and entrepreneurs to push boundaries. By eliminating barriers like high transaction fees and clunky user interfaces, ZKsync enables projects like Pudgy Penguins to thrive on a global scale. Its commitment to open-source development and inclusivity mirrors Netz’s belief in making blockchain accessible to everyone.

“We’re not just building for Ethereum or Solana; we’re building for crypto,” Netz says, highlighting ZKsync’s chain-agnostic appeal and its role in fostering collaboration across ecosystems.

As blockchain technology matures, the lessons from Netz and ZKsync’s collaboration offer a blueprint for success. By combining technological innovation with cultural resonance, projects can break free from niche markets and capture the imagination of the mainstream.

Whether it’s through the charm of a penguin or the efficiency of ZKsync’s architecture, the future of blockchain lies in creating experiences that are as engaging as they are empowering. As Netz continues to build bridges between cultures and technology, ZKsync stands ready to support those who dare to dream bigger.

ZKsync is the pioneering zero-knowledge technology powering the next generation of builders with limitless scale. Secured by math and designed for native interoperability, ZKsync enables an elastic, ever-expanding network of customizable chains. Deeply rooted in its mission to advance personal freedom for all, the ZKsync technology makes digital self-ownership universally available.

To learn more about ZKsync, visit http://www.zksync.io