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How to Buy PENGU for the First Time

November 2, 2026
From the NFT days to a tremendous airdrop. Here is how to buy PENGU today, without the shill.

To buy PENGU, create an account on a crypto exchange, complete verification, deposit money, and buy on the PENGU/USDT spot market. PENGU is the official coin of Pudgy Penguins, one of the best-known NFT brands in crypto. Since all the big exchanges list it, buying takes minutes. A trading app or a Solana wallet works too. No shill here. I am simply showing how to buy PENGU, along with a few memories from the NFT days.


Pudgy Penguins and PENGU in Short

Pudgy Penguins began in 2021 as a collection of 8,888 penguin NFTs on Ethereum. A year later, Luca Netz bought the project and rebuilt it as a consumer brand. Soon, the penguins appeared as toys in major retail stores. Later, the team added viral content and a game. We looked at that game in our Pudgy World introduction.

PENGU arrived in December 2024 as the brand’s coin. It launched on Solana with a maximum supply of about 88.9 billion tokens. In short, the NFTs remain the collectibles, while PENGU is the liquid way to bet on the brand.


From the NFT Days to a Tremendous Airdrop

We remember Pudgy Penguins from the NFT days. Back then, I traded NFTs every single day, and the penguins were a collection I enjoyed. Those years are gone, as I wrote in my look back at the NFT traders.

Then came the airdrop. In December 2024, PENGU landed in the wallets of NFT holders and many other crypto users. It was a tremendous drop, and I received it as well. For a lot of old NFT traders, it felt like a late thank-you.

I also have one personal memory. Once, I went to a Pudgy Penguins event in New York. Outside the venue, I briefly met Luca. That is the whole story, but it showed me how hands-on the team is.

Again, this is not a pitch. Meme coins are risky, and PENGU is no exception. For more meme picks across every chain, see our meme coin shill list.


One Warning Before You Buy

PENGU exists on several networks. The main version lives on Solana, and that is the one exchanges use. However, there is a version on Abstract too. Abstract is the Layer 2 from the Pudgy team, and it closes on December 15, 2026. Therefore, do not buy or hold PENGU there. Our Abstract shutdown post explains how to bridge out in time.


Buy PENGU on an Exchange

A centralized exchange is the simplest start. I rank OKX first for PENGU, because the market is deep and the app is beginner-friendly. New accounts opened via our OKX referral link receive a bonus. Bybit follows closely behind. Likewise, our Bybit referral link gives you its welcome rewards. Furthermore, MEXC lists PENGU and is known for fast meme listings.

Here is the process on each of them:

  1. Sign up and pass the identity check where required.
  2. Fund the account by card, bank transfer, or crypto deposit.
  3. Convert the deposit to USDT if necessary.
  4. Search for PENGU/USDT in the spot section.
  5. Enter a small amount and place a market order.

Next, think about where you keep your PENGU. Our guide on holding coins yourself or on an exchange weighs both options.


Buy PENGU in the FOMO App

Many meme traders now skip exchanges entirely. Instead, they use FOMO, a gasless trading app that runs on Solana and several other chains. One deposit covers everything, and no seed phrase is needed to begin. On top of that, the app shows which traders hold a coin and at what size.

I describe my own experience in the FOMO app review. To get 10% off fees, join through our FOMO link and enter code FairSaltySquid. Would you rather track smart money on a desktop terminal? In that case, read our GMGN review.


Buy PENGU On-Chain

Buying on-chain is straightforward on Solana. To begin, set up a wallet like Phantom. Afterward, withdraw some SOL from an exchange to that wallet. Then visit a Solana DEX such as Jupiter and connect.

Now copy the PENGU contract address from the official Pudgy Penguins website. Paste it into the DEX, and check that the token matches. Fake penguin coins are everywhere, so never pick one from a search list. Lastly, choose your amount and confirm the swap. The fee is only a few cents.


Trade PENGU With Perps

PENGU is a popular coin for leverage traders. OKX and Bybit each run PENGU perpetuals in the same account as spot. If you prefer on-chain trading, Hyperliquid offers PENGU perps too. In addition, our Hyperliquid referral link lowers the fees. Be careful with size, though. PENGU can move ten percent in a day, and leverage multiplies that pain.


Where to Buy PENGU in Your Country

PENGU has listings around the globe. Nevertheless, local rules decide which exchange you can open.

United States

US traders can find PENGU on several regulated platforms. Our US exchange guide shows where.

Europe

For Europe, a MiCA license is the key filter. Our Europe exchange guide applies it for you.

Latin America

Payment methods differ a lot between countries here. As a result, our Latin America exchange guide breaks them down.

East Asia

Pudgy Penguins has a big fan base in Asia. Check our East Asia exchange guide for the local options.

India

Because of the trading tax, Indian buyers should plan before they buy. Our India exchange guide helps with that.

Not on this list? Then browse the exchange reviews on our site, covering 40+ platforms and comparisons.


Keep This Content Free

PENGU landed in my wallet for free, and this guide lands on your screen for free. If you use our sign-up links, you get a bonus and we get a commission. That trade keeps our content open to everyone.


Final Words

Buying PENGU is easy. OKX and Bybit handle it in minutes, FOMO adds the social layer, and a Solana wallet gives you full control. Just stay away from the Abstract version. As for me, PENGU is a reminder of the NFT days and of one very generous airdrop. I am not telling you to buy it. Now you simply know how.

Following the series in order? The guide before this one explains how to buy BONK.


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FAQ

Which exchanges list PENGU?

OKX, Bybit, and MEXC list PENGU. You can also buy it on Binance, Kraken, and Coinbase.

Do I need a Pudgy Penguins NFT to buy PENGU?

No. PENGU is a regular token, so anyone can buy it without owning an NFT.

Can I still claim the PENGU airdrop?

No. The airdrop happened in December 2024, and the claim window has closed.

Which blockchain is PENGU on?

The main version of PENGU runs on Solana. Other versions exist, so always check the network before you send it.

Who is behind PENGU?

PENGU comes from the Pudgy Penguins team, led by Luca Netz.

Is PENGU a meme coin?

Yes, most traders treat it as one. Its price follows attention and sentiment, so expect big swings.

Morten Christensen
Founder, AirdropAlert
Written by
Morten Christensen

Crypto class of '13, airdrop farmer since 2016. Avid trader and DeFi veteran. His market commentary has been featured by Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, and CNN.

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