KAST and Pudgy Penguins Launch IP-Backed Stablecoin Card Bridging Web3 and Everyday Payments

KAST and Pudgy Penguins have partnered to launch the IP-backed Pengu Card, a Visa-supported stablecoin payment card enabling crypto and stablecoin spending at millions of merchants globally.

KAST, a global financial platform built on stablecoin rails, has partnered with popular Web3 brand Pudgy Penguins to launch an IP-backed stablecoin payment card — known as the Pengu Card — that aims to bring Web3 culture and digital asset utility into everyday consumer spending. The collaboration combines KAST’s regulated payments infrastructure with one of the most recognisable NFT brands, enabling holders to use stablecoins and cryptocurrencies for real-world transactions via a card accepted at over 150 million global merchants through the Visa network.

Designed to appeal to both the Web3 community and mainstream users, the Pengu Card will initially be available as a virtual card, with physical versions expected later in 2026. The product will be offered in three tiers — Standard, Premium and Luxe/Gold — each with a structured rewards system designed to mirror KAST’s broader stablecoin card offerings. Beyond payments, the Pengu Card serves as a gateway into the Pudgy Penguins ecosystem, offering rewards, yield features and deeper engagement for community members transitioning between digital asset ownership and everyday financial use.

Key Highlights

  • Strategic partnership: KAST and Pudgy Penguins launch the Pengu Card, an IP-backed stablecoin payment card bringing Web3 brands into consumer finance.
  • Visa acceptance: The card will be accepted at 150+ million merchants worldwide through the Visa network, enabling real-world crypto and stablecoin checkout.
  • Three tier structure: Standard, Premium and Luxe/Gold card options with varying cashback rewards and yields — up to 12 % rewards and up to 7 % yield on balances according to some reports.
  • Virtual to physical: Rollout starts with virtual cards for fast global access, with physical cards expected later in 2026.
  • Bridging Web3 and finance: The product acts as a low-friction entry point into both stablecoin use and the Pudgy Penguins ecosystem.

What the Pengu Card Is and Why It Matters

A Web3 Brand in Everyday Wallets

The Pengu Card represents one of the first high-profile examples of Web3 intellectual property (IP) being embedded directly into a stablecoin-linked financial product aimed at mainstream usage. Instead of being limited to speculative trading or NFTs siloed within digital wallets, Pudgy Penguins’ IP — a beloved NFT community brand — now enters the traditional payments ecosystem through KAST’s regulated infrastructure.

Users will be able to spend stablecoins (and in some variants cryptocurrencies) without needing to convert to fiat on centralized exchanges first — a feature made possible through Visa’s global merchant network. By integrating the card into everyday point-of-sale systems, the initiative aims to lower barriers between digital assets and real-world spending, potentially attracting both crypto natives and curious mainstream consumers.

Tiered Rewards and Utility

The three-tier structure — Standard, Premium/Black and Luxe/Gold — allows different levels of cashback and yield incentives intended to reward higher engagement. Some reports indicate rewards up to 12 %, and the card may also offer interest-earning features for balances held, blending payment utility with financial incentives. This positions the card as both a spending tool and a mechanism to encourage stablecoin use in everyday financial activity.

Market and Strategic Context

Web3 Meets Real World Financial Services

This launch comes amid a broader trend of crypto and Web3 projects seeking real-world utility for brands and digital assets. As regulatory uncertainty fluctuates globally, projects like Pudgy Penguins are pivoting to consumer-facing financial products to enhance adoption and brand engagement beyond speculative markets. The Pengu Card signals a shift toward integrating NFT-driven IP and financial products — blending cultural affinity with functional payment instruments.

Token Market Reactions

News of the Pengu Card and its partnership with Visa and KAST has corresponded with price increases in the PENGU memecoin/token, with some sources reporting spikes of around 8–10% following the announcement — reflecting market optimism around increased utility and mainstream integration of the Pudgy Penguins brand.