BlockDAG’s $214M Presale Leads as Top Long-Term Crypto Choice While Ethereum Remains Stable & Tether Expands

As April 2025 unfolds, the crypto landscape is realigning, with three key names drawing focus—Ethereum, Tether, and the rising star, BlockDAG (BDAG). Ethereum's value remains stable, providing respite following a tough Q1. Tether, on the other hand, is advancing with plans to deploy a blockchain-based payment network in the U.S. Meanwhile, BlockDAG is at the forefront of discussions on long-term crypto choices, having amassed an impressive $214 million in its presale. This newcomer is also making strides in network development with a functioning Beta Testnet and performance metrics that compete with leading Layer-1 networks.

Ethereum Stabilizes as On-Chain Activity Declines

Starting 2025 with volatility, Ethereum now shows signs of stability, hovering around the $1,850 level. Despite experiencing a 45% fall in Q1—the steepest first-quarter drop since 2022—the recent stability suggests a possible gathering phase among major holders. Per MiTrade’s analysis, addresses holding between 10,000 and 100,000 ETH are bolstering their holdings, especially post-dip below $1,800.

Yet, this apparent stability belies underlying issues. Ethereum's transaction fees have plummeted to their lowest since 2020. While reduced fees might suggest enhanced efficiency, they actually stem from a significant decrease in network activity. Daily fee revenue on Ethereum has fallen under $5 million, a low not observed in over four years. Market analysts attribute this decline to the uptake of Layer-2 solutions like Base and updates such as the Dencun upgrade, which have shifted many transactions off the main Ethereum chain.

Tether Moves Beyond Stablecoin Basics

Tether, the issuer of the dominant stablecoin USDT, is diversifying its reach beyond traditional digital dollar transactions. According to Axios, the company is developing a blockchain-based payment network tailored for U.S. users. Paolo Ardoino, Tether's CEO, explains the strategy change: globally, people use USDT for saving, but in the U.S., Tether aims to make it function more like everyday checking accounts.

This initiative is part of Tether’s strategy to outpace competitors like Circle, whose USDC stablecoin is aligning closely with U.S. regulations and is speculated to be preparing for an IPO. This year, U.S. lawmakers are also anticipated to pass legislation on stablecoins, which will influence the regulatory environment that Tether is planning to navigate.

BlockDAG’s Impressive $214M Presale Marks It as a Crypto to Watch

As Ethereum maintains stability and Tether tries out new payment systems, BlockDAG emerges as a notable performer in 2025. Its presale has impressively reached $214 million, achieved without venture capital involvement. This achievement confirms the market's approval of its structure, marking it as one of the most successful crypto fundraisers recently.

BlockDAG introduces a unique dual-framework, blending Proof-of-Work (PoW) with Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) technologies. CTO Jeremy Harkness shared at Keynote 3:

"Our dual consensus model merges the reliability and time-tested strength of Proof-of-Work with the adaptability and speed of a Directed Acyclic Graph. We are setting new standards, not just following old ones."

This approach enables the simultaneous confirmation of multiple blocks, avoiding the delays experienced by networks such as Ethereum. While Ethereum continues enhancing sharding and Layer-2 rollups, BlockDAG targets a throughput of 2,000 transactions per second (TPS) at its mainnet launch, with plans to expand to 15,000 TPS within two years.

The testnet for BlockDAG is up and running robustly. Already, over 110,000 wallets have been credited with 10,000 test tokens each, anticipating over a million transactions in the Beta phase before the mainnet launch. Adding excitement is a $60,000 rewards program.

Rewards of $2,000 in tokens (priced at $0.05 during launch) will go to the top 10 most active wallets, miners, and those holding the largest testnet balances. This initiative is designed to rigorously test the blockchain while also preparing the vesting contract, miner involvement, and user interface operations for the upcoming launch.

CEO Antony Turner emphasized during Keynote 3:

"This represents more than just funds; it's the impetus for innovation, growth, and the future progression of blockchain technology."

Developer engagement is vigorously underway. The new BlockDAG Academy now offers a three-level blockchain education program. Grants, hackathons, and an Ambassador Program have also commenced. Head of Developer Ecosystem Steven Clarke-Martin noted:

"No matter your experience level in blockchain, these programs are here to facilitate your development."

With the introduction of testnet tools like the token and NFT creation wizard, IDE, and an enhanced explorer, BlockDAG isn't merely discussing future usage—it's actively demonstrating it in real-time.

Final Thoughts

While Ethereum and Tether are capturing today's headlines, BlockDAG is crafting tomorrow’s narrative. With a thriving crypto presale of over $214M, active testnet operations, robust developer support, and solid scalability plans for its mainnet, BlockDAG is demonstrating tangible advancements rather than mere promises.

In a landscape where speculation often overshadows solid achievements, BlockDAG is rewriting the story. It’s not just a leader in presale performance—it's positioning itself as one of the most viable long-term crypto choices for the coming decade.

Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network

Website: https://blockdag.network

Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial

Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu