Ethereum News Today: BlockDAG Builds Real-World Adoption as ETH Eyes $5K Rally

BlockDAG’s presale is fast approaching a $600 million funding target, drawing attention as one of the most ambitious capital-raising efforts in the crypto space. As of the latest available data, the project has raised $386 million, selling 25.8 billion BDAG tokens across 30 batches. The current presale price sits at $0.03 per token, with a projected listing price of $0.05, offering substantial early investor returns. This momentum is supported by a growing user base—over 2.5 million individuals are already mining using the X1 mobile app—alongside 19,350 ASIC miners sold and 4,500 developers building applications on the network. These figures indicate a tangible foundation of adoption and development, setting BlockDAG apart from many speculative projects.

Ethereum (ETH), meanwhile, is showing signs of recovery following a major market correction that erased $200 billion in crypto value. Analysts, including Fundstrat’s Tom Lee, suggest that Ethereum may have found a bottom near the $4,313 level, with the price already bouncing above $4,430. If ETH holds key support levels, it could climb back toward $5,100–$5,450 in the near term. Institutional buying has played a role in this rebound, with companies like BitMine Immersion acquiring large amounts of ETH at a significant cost. The asset is also benefiting from broader macro conditions and renewed interest in its ecosystem, including developments in Ethereum Layer 2 solutions.

While Ethereum’s price movement appears more grounded in technical and institutional factors, the meme coin space remains highly speculative. Pepe Coin (PEPE) is a case in point, with whales accumulating large positions and reducing circulating supply, potentially setting the stage for a 40x price surge. Technical indicators such as the symmetrical triangle pattern suggest a breakout could be imminent if momentum continues. However, meme coins are inherently volatile, and the same forces that drive rapid gains can just as quickly lead to sharp corrections. This volatility makes PEPE a high-risk, high-reward bet for short-term traders.

BlockDAG’s approach, in contrast, is built on measurable progress and real-world adoption. The project has already demonstrated a functioning ecosystem before launch, with mining infrastructure, developer tools, and a mobile app attracting millions of users. This parallel chain design, combining Proof-of-Work with DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) mechanics, enables faster block processing—around 10 blocks per second—outperforming many existing Layer 1 chains. Its EVM compatibility further enhances its appeal by enabling seamless integration with Ethereum-based applications.

Looking ahead, BlockDAG’s presale success is being compared to past high-profile projects like Avalanche and Kaspa, which built strong community and institutional backing through steady growth and clear milestones. With presale batches selling out faster than previous rounds and growing developer activity, the project is positioning itself as a serious contender in the Layer 1 space. Analysts project that the next batch could reach a price of $0.0276, offering current investors an opportunity to lock in returns before the presale concludes.

Ethereum’s potential to exceed $5,000 in the coming weeks is also supported by derivatives data, with $5 billion in ETH options set to expire soon, favoring bullish positions. The put/call ratio and open interest distribution highlight strong institutional and whale buying pressure. If ETH breaks above $4,850, it could trigger a short squeeze and push the price closer to the $5,000 threshold. This momentum has also benefited Ethereum-based altcoins like Arbitrum and Aave, which are seen as high-beta plays. However, Ethereum’s long-term trajectory remains dependent on broader macroeconomic factors and the success of its scaling upgrades.

Source:

[1] BlockDAG Presale Eyes $600M Mark While ETH Eyes $5K Mark & PEPE Coin Frenzy Resumes in August 2025 (https://coindoo.com/blockdag-presale-eyes-600m-mark-while-eth-eyes-5k-mark-pepe-coin-frenzy-resumes-in-august-2025/)

[2] Crypto Update: BlockDAG Presale Poised to Reach $600M ... (https://intellectia.ai/news/crypto/crypto-news-blockdag-presale-might-hit-600m-soon-while-sol-eyes-223--link-turns-bullish)

[3] BlockDAG Closes in on $600M as Excitement Builds (https://www.mexc.com/en-GB/news/blockdag-closes-in-on-600m-as-excitement-builds-should-you-get-in-now/72577)

[4] Ethereum Price Prediction: Here's Why ETH Could Hit $5k ... (https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2025/08/28/ethereum-price-prediction-heres-why-eth-could-hit-5k-this-friday/)

[5] Will ETH Push Beyond $5K Following Bitcoin Crash? New ... (https://coincentral.com/ethereum-price-update-will-eth-push-beyond-5k-following-bitcoin-crash-new-eth-l2-token-continues-soaring/)

[6] Best Meme Coin to Buy Now: Market Gurus Spot the Next ... (https://www.mexc.co/fil-PH/news/best-meme-coin-to-buy-now-market-gurus-spot-the-next-big-play-after-pepe-coins-pepe-2000-surge-in/71813)