BlockDAG’s Keynote 3 Captivates Crypto World — $209M Raised as Mainnet Launch Approaches

While many in the crypto industry are preoccupied with fluctuating prices and market speculations, BlockDAG (BDAG) has swiftly captured the limelight. Its third keynote wasn’t merely an update; it was a powerful declaration of progress. The presale has remarkably reached $209 million, accomplished without the aid of venture capital, demonstrating significant confidence from its global community of over 170,000 participants.

From the rollout of its Beta Testnet V1 to the ambitious roadmap aiming for 15,000 transactions per second, BlockDAG’s recent event is already recognized as a pivotal moment in 2025.

Moreover, the most significant triumph for BlockDAG may not be the funds gathered but rather the robust momentum it has built as it heads towards its mainnet debut later this year.

$209 Million Raised in Presale, Independent of VC Backing

CEO Antony Turner showcased these impressive figures at the start of the keynote. BlockDAG has raised more than $209 million in less than ten months, entirely through direct retail and community contributions.

“This is more than just funds—it’s a driver for further innovation, expansion, and the upcoming revolution in blockchain technology,” stated Turner.

Unlike many projects that seek venture capital and may compromise on decentralization, BlockDAG has demonstrated that support from the retail sector alone can sustain a major protocol. These funds are being used to:

• Hasten the development of the mainnet
• Grow the global development team
• Form major partnerships, including with Inter Milan and UFC
  

This ecosystem is not just a concept—it’s actively expanding its user base and infrastructure day by day.

Revolutionizing Blockchain with Hybrid Technology

A critical moment during the keynote was when CTO Jeremy Harkness detailed BlockDAG’s modern hybrid consensus architecture. This approach integrates the scalability of Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) with the reliability of Proof-of-Work (PoW).

“Our hybrid consensus model merges the dependable and well-established Proof-of-Work with the agility and rapid processing of Directed Acyclic Graphs. We are not just tweaking existing frameworks—we are setting new standards,” Harkness stated.

What does this mean? It allows for simultaneous block validations, increased processing speeds, resistance to Miner Extractable Value (MEV), and drastically lower transaction costs. BlockDAG is not just improving existing technology; it’s addressing and fixing fundamental limitations of current blockchain systems.

Upon its mainnet debut, BlockDAG is set to manage at least 2,000 transactions per second, with plans to expand this capacity to 15,000 TPS within two years, aiming to surpass many primary Layer-1 networks.

Beta Testnet Activation with Tangible Incentives

While others are still planning, BlockDAG has already taken action. The Beta Testnet V1 has been launched, showcasing:

• A blockchain core that is twice as fast as its previous version
• An enhanced explorer that displays tokens and contracts
• A user-friendly tool for creating Tokens and NFTs without coding
• Live decentralized applications to engage actual user interaction
  

BlockDAG has transformed its testnet phase into a critical preparation stage for its community. Each verified community member has received 10,000 testnet BDAG coins, distributed weekly over a month, to rigorously test the vesting contracts before the Token Generation Event (TGE).

Taking a step further, BlockDAG announced a $60,000 reward in BDAG coins for the top 30 participants in the testnet, divided among the most active users, leading testnet miners, and those with the highest testnet balances.

“We’re even incentivizing your participation,” Turner commented. “This is more than a trial; it’s a full-scale rehearsal for our mainnet launch.”

Growing Community Engagement Ahead of Launch

BlockDAG is not just preparing for its mainnet; it’s already expanding its community. The X1 Miner App and the TG Tap Miner Game have collectively attracted over 1.1 million users, with daily activity from over 100,000 players.

“Up to this point, over 750,000 users have joined us in mining, earning, and participating actively,” confirmed Turner. “The ‘play-to-earn’ model introduced with the TG Tap Miner has been incredibly successful.”

BlockDAG has found a winning strategy for increasing community engagement—keeping it enjoyable, straightforward, and rewarding. The platform is appealing not just to speculative traders but also to miners, gamers, and developers well in advance of its official launch.

Expanding Educational and Development Opportunities

During the keynote, the introduction of the BlockDAG Academy marked a significant milestone. Led by Professor Maurice Herlihy, the Academy offers:

• Basic blockchain principles
• Intermediate courses on smart contract implementation, tokenization, and governance
• Advanced full-stack decentralized application development on BlockDAG
  

“Our educational approach doesn’t just teach you the mechanics—it equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills to use BlockDAG’s technology safely and effectively,” emphasized Herlihy.

Additionally, the Developer Launchpad enhances this educational framework, featuring:

• An Ambassador Program
• Developer Grants
• Over $100K in Hackathons
• A Bug Bounty Program set to launch later this year
  

These initiatives are designed not merely to prepare developers but to empower them with the tools, funding, and support needed as they engage with BlockDAG’s growing ecosystem.

Ensuring Robust Security and Outlining Future Plans

BlockDAG is prioritizing security as it approaches its mainnet launch. With completed audits by Certik and Halborn for its vesting contracts and a Multi-party Computation (MPC) secured treasury, the platform ensures that security is integral to its infrastructure.

“At BlockDAG, security isn’t just an option—it’s the foundation of everything we build,” stated Dr. Youssef Khaoulaj.

The mainnet, scheduled for a 2025 launch, will feature:

• A baseline of 2,000 TPS, with potential expansion up to 15,000 TPS
• A comprehensive DeFi suite including staking, lending, swaps, and bridges
• Implementation of governance protocols
• Initial listings on more than ten exchanges following the TGE
  

With ambitions to support over 1,000 dApps by 2026 and plans for future integration with AI, decentralized identity solutions, and data personhood concepts, BlockDAG is actively shaping the future.

“We are not just envisioning future possibilities—we are actively creating them,” Turner concluded. “And this is just the beginning.”

Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network

Website: https://blockdag.network

Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial

Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu