This was an interesting week for nfts and cryptocurrencies, with some lesser-known names appearing alongside recent heavyweights. Both nfts and tokens experienced incredible growth in gross market caps, unusually challenging for such volatile markets. The Pudgy ecosystem stole the show in nfts, with Pudgy Rods catapulting to 74.5%. Meanwhile, among the tokens, Phala Network recorded an astonishing 264.15% increase.
These jumps came amid a year-end trading dynamic that often amplifies sudden rallies, particularly in the face of new news, stock listings or community events that generate buzz. As we approach a new calendar year, speculators are wondering whether these gains herald sustained momentum or whether profit-taking will dampen enthusiasm. In our weekly recap, we'll look at what drove these notable performances.
The biggest nft winners
This week's nft <a target="_blank" href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/nft” data-wpel-link=”external” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow external noopener noreferrer”>data comes from CoinGecko and highlights projects whose market capitalization increased significantly this week. A trio of collections under the Pudgy umbrella leads the pack, reflecting strong brand synergy and strong community interest. Read on for a quick look at each of the highlights.
Chubby penguins
This week, the Pudgy Penguins brand once again demonstrated its resilience and broad appeal among collectors. Despite already holding a strong position in the nft market, the original Penguins collection achieved a healthy +32% growth in market cap. Observers credit continued community involvement and continued brand expansions, such as real-world merchandise partnerships, for driving renewed interest.
Source: CoinGecko
At Lil Pudgy
Lil Pudgys, a spin-off collection featuring smaller, cuter versions of the signature birds, rose +29.4%. The relative affordability of Lil Pudgys compared to its core collection continues to attract newcomers seeking exposure to the Pudgy ecosystem without the high entry costs. Its recent increase in sales volume also suggests a strong pipeline of new buyers intrigued by possible future developments for Pudgy Collectibles.
Source: CoinGecko
Chubby rods
The biggest nft success story this week, by far, is perhaps the least known of the Pudgy ecosystem, Pudgy Rods. The market capitalization of this collection skyrocketed a staggering +74.5% in just seven days. Originally overlooked by some mainstream nft watchers, Rods have now gained attention as holders anticipate broader ties to the Pudgy brand. Some speculate that these Rods could unlock future collection utilities or special events, making them prime targets for scalpers. While it remains to be seen how far this momentum can go, the Pudgy ecosystem's triple wins this week suggest that the brand's dedicated fans and strategic moves continue to reinforce its position at the forefront of the nft scene.
Source: CoinGecko
The biggest cryptocurrency winners
For symbolic performance, we turn to CryptoSlate data to identify the top three winners over the same period. These cryptoassets posted notable percentage increases, thanks to a combination of utility, announcements, and favorable market sentiment. Check out the quick summaries below to see what fueled its growth.
Red Phala ($PHA)
Phala Network made the most dramatic statement, rising a whopping +264.15% in market capitalization over the past week. PHA's privacy-focused, blockchain-based cloud computing services appear to have caught the market's attention as more organizations look for ways to protect sensitive data on decentralized platforms. Rumors about upcoming partnerships and stock listings likely helped fuel this massive rally.
Source: CryptoSlate
Bitget Token ($BGB)
Bitget Token took second place with a notable jump of +90.97%. BGB has become increasingly popular among active traders, helped by Bitget Exchange's growing user base and promotional campaigns aimed at expanding its ecosystem. News of possible product upgrades and better trading incentives may have triggered new investor demand.
Source: CryptoSlate
GMT ($GMT)
Completing the list is GMT, up +38.56%. While not as surprising as Phala Network or BGB's gains, GMT's performance stands out in a market that has otherwise seen pockets of consolidation. Some credit GMT's steady rise to its unique method of earning cryptocurrency through physical activity, as well as expansions in staking rewards and recently launched utility features keeping current and future holders interested. new users.
Source: CryptoSlate
A closer look at the big picture
The last week of December often sees liquidity swings and lower trading volumes as investors lock in profits or realign portfolios ahead of the new year. However, these milder conditions can also set the stage for outsized price moves when new catalysts (such as partnerships, listings, or ecosystem launches) catch the market off guard. For the biggest winners, community momentum and support played a vital role, helping them stand out from other projects that were largely negotiated sideways.
In particular, we continue to see nft ecosystems that offer synergy between multiple collections, as evidenced by the rise of Pudgy Penguins, Lil Pudgys, and Pudgy Rods. This “collective branding effect” often drives engagement and speculation across multiple releases. As for tokens, Phala Network's astronomical jump exemplifies how a specialized use case (privacy-focused cloud services) can quickly excite retail and institutional buyers. Meanwhile, regulatory sentiment remains a wild card, with some analysts warning that sudden policy news could unsettle markets at any time.
Concluding
From the Pudgy ecosystem's triple rise to Phala Network's notable rally, this week saw vibrant gains driven by strong community interest and timely market catalysts. Whether these projects can maintain momentum into the new year depends on continued utility growth, strategic partnerships and investor sentiment. As the holiday season ends, both nft and cryptocurrency traders should remain alert for sudden changes in liquidity and regulatory developments that could reshape the market outlook once again.
