ETH Price Finds Support, Tether Makes Headlines, BlockDAG Emerges as Best Long-Term Crypto with $213.5M Raised
As April 2025 unfolds, three standout names—Ethereum, Tether, and BlockDAG—are shaping buyer sentiment. Ethereum has found a stable range after a turbulent Q1. Tether, meanwhile, is expanding its utility in the U.S. payment space. But BlockDAG is making the strongest case for the future, with a $213.5 million presale, a live Beta Testnet, and performance numbers that suggest it’s ready to rival leading Layer-1s.
In a shifting market, buyers are beginning to favor projects with visible progress and sound infrastructure over speculation. Ethereum and Tether remain foundational players—but BlockDAG’s forward movement hints at something bigger.
Ethereum Holds Its Ground, but On-Chain Activity Tells a Deeper Story
After a rocky start to the year, Ethereum (ETH) appears to be stabilizing, trading around $1,850. This comes after a steep 45% drop in Q1—the worst since 2022. Yet, recent signs suggest that large holders are quietly returning. MiTrade reports a rise in wallets holding 10,000 to 100,000 ETH, especially after the price dipped below $1,800.
Still, this recovery masks a key trend: Ethereum’s gas fees are now the lowest since 2020. While that might sound positive, the dip is tied to decreased network use. Daily fee revenue has fallen below $5 million—a level not seen in over four years. Analysts point to Layer-2 growth, especially platforms like Base and the Dencun upgrade, which are drawing activity away from the main chain.
Tether Looks Beyond Stablecoins with New U.S. Payment Push
Tether, best known for USDT—the world’s most-used stablecoin—is preparing to step outside its usual role. According to Axios, the company is working on a blockchain-based payment network aimed at U.S. users. CEO Paolo Ardoino describes this move as a strategic shift: while USDT acts as a savings tool globally, in the U.S., the vision is to offer a utility similar to a checking account.
Tether’s expansion arrives as its closest competitor, Circle’s USDC, gains traction among regulators and inches toward a possible IPO. At the same time, U.S. lawmakers are preparing to introduce stablecoin legislation that could reshape the landscape. Tether’s efforts signal a clear ambition to adapt and compete as this new framework takes shape.
BlockDAG’s $213.5M Presale Signals Strong Long-Term Confidence
As Ethereum finds its footing and Tether explores new ground, BlockDAG continues to rise. The project has now raised $213.5 million through its presale, with no venture capital backing—just growing community demand and clear delivery. These numbers aren’t just impressive; they position BlockDAG as one of the most successful fundraising cases in recent memory.
BlockDAG’s design blends Proof-of-Work and Directed Acyclic Graph architecture, offering something distinctly new. CTO Jeremy Harkness emphasized 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.”
By enabling parallel block confirmation, BlockDAG avoids the limitations seen in networks like Ethereum. With mainnet targeting 2,000 transactions per second and future scaling to 15,000 TPS, it’s taking aim at next-gen performance from the start.
The Beta Testnet is already active, involving more than 110,000 wallets. Each received 10,000 BDAG test tokens, and the network is expected to handle over a million transactions before mainnet. This is more than a technical test—it’s a full rehearsal, complete with tools, UI flows, and live functionality.
What’s adding fuel to the fire is a $60,000 reward campaign. The top 10 active wallets, miner nodes, and holders by token balance will each earn $2,000 worth of BDAG (based on the $0.05 launch price). The campaign is designed to trial core functions like smart contract vesting, token management, and miner incentives—all under real conditions.
As CEO Antony Turner noted in Keynote 3:
“This isn’t just capital—it’s fuel for innovation, expansion, and the next evolution of blockchain technology.”
BlockDAG isn’t just building tech—it’s building a developer community. The BlockDAG Academy is now offering tiered education programs to onboard new builders. Meanwhile, grants, hackathons, and an Ambassador Program are giving early contributors a head start. As Developer Ecosystem Head Steven Clarke-Martin explained:
“Whether you’re an experienced blockchain developer or just getting started, these initiatives will support your journey.”
Tools like the NFT and token creation wizard, an integrated development environment (IDE), and a live chain explorer are already available. This isn’t a preview of adoption—it’s a simulation already underway.
Closing Thoughts
Ethereum and Tether remain key players, but BlockDAG is positioning itself as something more—a complete, ready-to-scale network with real tools and active users before launch. With $213.5 million raised, 110,000+ wallets on testnet, and rewards already rolling out, this project is proving that utility and progress can exist before a mainnet even goes live.
In a market that often celebrates flash over follow-through, BlockDAG is showing what happens when real work meets real interest. It’s not just one of the best-performing presales—it may well be the best long-term crypto pick of this cycle.
Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network
Website: https://blockdag.network
Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial
Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu
