BlockDAG’s $351M Presale, 2M X1 Users Outpace Cardano’s Scaling Struggles, TVL Growth

BlockDAG’s emerging technology and rapid user adoption have positioned it as a formidable competitor to Cardano in the blockchain space. As of late July 2025, the project has attracted over 2 million users to its X1 miner app, enabling mobile mining of BDAG tokens without hardware requirements. Simultaneously, its presale has raised $351 million, selling 24.3 billion BDAG coins at $0.0016 each. This momentum contrasts sharply with Cardano’s ongoing challenges in scaling usability and developer accessibility, despite its methodical, research-driven approach [1].

Cardano’s Total Value Locked (TVL) has grown modestly to $400.38 million as of July 2025, reflecting limited DeFi engagement compared to platforms with higher user activity. The project’s reliance on peer-reviewed research and phased upgrades has led to delays in mainstream adoption, particularly for developers unfamiliar with Haskell-based Plutus smart contracts [1]. Updates like Hydra and Voltaire remain in early stages, with development hurdles persisting due to the complexity of Cardano’s environment. For instance, developers must navigate a system that lacks the flexibility of Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility, slowing the onboarding of both new and experienced coders [1].

BlockDAG, in contrast, leverages a hybrid blockchain-DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) architecture to prioritize speed and scalability. Its technology supports Ethereum-compatible smart contracts and includes a Smart Contract Wizard to streamline development. This approach has enabled the project to achieve global participation across more than 100 countries, with mobile mining democratizing access to crypto mining for non-technical users [1]. The presale’s batch 29, available until August 11, offers tokens at $0.0016, with a projected 3,025% return on investment based on its confirmed listing price of $0.05. Early buyers from batch 1 have already realized a 2,660% ROI, underscoring the project’s rapid valuation growth [1].

The divergence in strategies between the two projects highlights a broader trend in the crypto market: the increasing prioritization of usability and immediate value delivery over long-term research. While Cardano remains focused on refining its infrastructure through academic validation, BlockDAG’s mobile-first model has accelerated user acquisition and liquidity generation. Analysts note that BlockDAG’s $351 million presale milestone and 2 million active users demonstrate a working system with tangible outcomes, contrasting with Cardano’s reliance on future potential [1].

Critics argue that Cardano’s slow progress risks alienating users seeking immediate utility, particularly as competition intensifies in the DeFi and blockchain mining spaces. However, supporters of Cardano emphasize its commitment to rigorous validation, which may eventually yield a more robust platform. For now, BlockDAG’s combination of accessibility, rapid ROI, and scalable infrastructure has made it a standout in the current market cycle [1].

Source: [1] [title: BlockDAG’s Cutting-Edge Tech, 2M X1 App Users, & $351M Presale Leave Cardano’s Slow Pace in the Dust!] [url: https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/68842bb7e05dea66bbce074f/]