Asset-manager VanEck rang the Nasdaq opening bell on Monday in a crypto-themed ceremony that featured a costumed mascot from the Pudgy Penguins non-fungible-token collection, underscoring Wall Street’s growing appetite for digital-asset branding. Speaking at a breakfast with crypto executives ahead of the event, VanEck’s head of digital-assets research Matthew Sigel said the recent initial public offering filing by stable-coin operator Circle “has captured the imagination of many on Wall Street,” adding that he expects additional crypto-focused activity on Nasdaq in the coming quarters. Following the appearance, the unofficial $PENGU token associated with Pudgy Penguins gained roughly 9.8%, while the collection’s NFT floor price slipped about 2%, according to market trackers.