As April 2025 unfolds and the crypto market readjusts, Ethereum, Tether, and BlockDAG are taking center stage. Ethereum’s price has found some footing after a rough Q1, bringing a sense of relief to the market. At the same time, Tether is pushing forward with its plan to introduce a blockchain-powered payment system in the U.S.
However, BlockDAG (BDAG) is drawing the most attention for long-term growth, having already raised $214 million in its presale while launching a live Beta Testnet and achieving performance levels that rival top Layer-1 chains.
Ethereum Sees Temporary Recovery Despite On-Chain Drop
Following early-year volatility, Ethereum (ETH) is showing signs of stability near $1,850. After experiencing a 45% slump in Q1—the worst first-quarter slide since 2022—the current price action hints at renewed interest from large holders. Data from MiTrade shows that wallets with between 10,000 and 100,000 ETH have been actively increasing their holdings, especially after ETH fell under $1,800. Still, there’s more beneath the surface.
Ethereum’s gas fees have dropped to levels not seen since 2020. Instead of indicating improved performance, this drop is linked to reduced usage across the network. Fee revenue has slipped below $5 million daily—a figure not recorded in over four years. Analysts credit this to the growing use of Layer-2 solutions like Base and the Dencun upgrade, which have led many users to conduct transactions away from the main Ethereum chain.
Tether Targets U.S. Payments with New Blockchain Network
Meanwhile, Tether—the company behind USDT, the largest stablecoin globally—is shifting toward a broader use case. Axios reports that Tether is developing a blockchain-powered payment platform tailored for American users. CEO Paolo Ardoino says the goal is to reshape how USDT is used: internationally, it’s seen as a savings tool, but within the U.S., the company wants it to operate more like a digital checking account.
This development also aligns with upcoming competition from Circle, whose USDC stablecoin is becoming more regulatory-friendly and possibly heading toward an IPO. On the legislative front, new U.S. stablecoin regulations are expected soon, setting the stage for Tether’s wider push in the country.
BlockDAG’s $214M Presale Secures Its Spot as a Top Long-Term Crypto
While Ethereum maintains its current position and Tether steps into new financial sectors, BlockDAG is quickly becoming 2025’s standout crypto story. Its presale has reached an impressive $214 million milestone—all raised without any backing from venture firms. This strong momentum confirms growing public belief in its technology and ranks it among the most successful raises in crypto history.
What makes BlockDAG unique is its hybrid framework—fusing Proof-of-Work (PoW) with Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) architecture. As explained by CTO Jeremy Harkness during Keynote 3: “Our hybrid consensus mechanism combines the best of two worlds: the security and proven robustness of Proof-of-Work with the flexibility and speed of a Directed Acyclic Graph. This isn’t your traditional blockchain—we’re literally rewriting the rules.”
This system allows parallel block confirmations, avoiding congestion problems seen in chains like Ethereum. While Ethereum leans on sharding and Layer-2 rollups, BlockDAG targets 2,000 TPS at mainnet and a scale-up to 15,000 TPS in the next two years.
The testnet is already live and fully operational. More than 110,000 wallets have received 10,000 test tokens each, and over one million transactions are expected to go through during the Beta testing phase. Adding to the momentum is a $60,000 rewards initiative that’s sparking major excitement.
The top 10 most active users, the 10 largest testnet holders, and the 10 top miners will each receive $2,000 worth of BDAG at the $0.05 launch value. This initiative is more than a test—it’s a chance to introduce the contract vesting system, miner incentives, and user interface trials before full release.
CEO Antony Turner emphasized this during Keynote 3: “This isn’t just capital—it’s fuel for innovation, expansion, and the next evolution of blockchain technology.”
The developer side is also accelerating. BlockDAG Academy is now live with a three-tier learning system. Additionally, hackathons, grants, and a full Ambassador Program are underway. As noted by Developer Ecosystem Head Steven Clarke-Martin: “Whether you’re an experienced blockchain developer or just getting started, these initiatives will support your journey.”
With tools like the NFT and token builder, IDE, and improved explorer already accessible on testnet, BlockDAG is not waiting for the future—it’s building it now.
Wrapping Up!
Ethereum and Tether may lead current discussions, but BlockDAG is setting the tone for what’s next. With its crypto presale now above $214M, strong testnet usage, community engagement, and clear mainnet scalability goals, BlockDAG is bringing real progress to crypto.
In a market often driven by empty hype, BlockDAG is showing what solid development looks like. It’s more than just one of the top presales—it’s positioning itself as one of the most promising long-term cryptos of this decade.
Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network
Website: https://blockdag.network
Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial
Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu
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