Ethereum News Today: BlockDAG Surpasses 25 Billion Coin Sales as Altcoin Market Shifts to Real-World Utility

The cryptocurrency landscape is evolving toward a model where tangible progress, real-world use cases, and scalable infrastructure are driving attention more than speculative hype [1]. Among the most notable altcoins to watch in this new environment are BlockDAG, Arbitrum, Stellar, and Mantle—each demonstrating strengths in execution, adoption, and technological innovation.

BlockDAG has captured significant momentum ahead of its mainnet launch, raising over $373 million and selling more than 25 billion BDAG coins in 29 batches [1]. The hybrid Layer-1 model combines Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) scalability with Proof-of-Work (PoW) security, aiming to overcome bottlenecks common in traditional blockchains [1]. Early participants in the first batch are already seeing returns exceeding 2,600% [1]. The X1 mobile mining app has attracted over 2.5 million users, while 19,200 ASIC miners are currently in circulation, supporting both casual and institutional mining [1]. A live Demo Trading Dashboard also allows users to test features before the main launch [1]. The project is entering the market with a strong foundation, including active community engagement and a functioning mining network.

Stellar (XLM), currently trading at $0.41 with a market cap of $12.97 billion, continues to serve as a reliable solution for cross-border transactions and remittances [1]. Despite trading well below its all-time high of $0.94, XLM remains undervalued relative to its real-world utility [1]. Analysts suggest that a rebound to $1.50–$2.00 could deliver 4x–5x gains, transforming a $50 investment into $200–$250 [1]. This makes Stellar a dependable altcoin for investors prioritizing stability alongside gradual growth.

Arbitrum (ARB), priced at $0.40, has solidified its position as a leading Ethereum Layer-2 solution [1]. With growing adoption in DeFi and NFT ecosystems, and increasing Total Value Locked (TVL), ARB is positioned for significant upside [1]. Analysts project that the token could reach $2.00–$3.00 in the next market cycle, translating into 5–7x gains for early investors [1]. This makes ARB an attractive mid-cap growth option, especially for those seeking a balance between stability and potential.

Mantle (MNT), supported by BitDAO, functions as a modular Ethereum rollup designed for scalable DeFi applications [1]. With a current price of $0.87 and a market cap of $2.9 billion, it is gaining traction as a solution for infrastructure-focused use cases [1]. Analysts expect meaningful growth in TVL and adoption, potentially pushing MNT to $4–$8 in the near term [1]. This translates into 5–10x gains, meaning a $50 investment could become $250–$500 [1]. Mantle’s strong backer support and scalable architecture make it a compelling altcoin to watch in the mid-tier segment.

Across the board, the trend in the crypto market is shifting toward performance-driven projects with measurable outcomes [1]. BlockDAG’s pre-launch traction, along with its functioning mining and community infrastructure, positions it as a standout among the best altcoins to watch [1]. Arbitrum continues to grow as Ethereum’s leading Layer-2, Stellar remains relevant through its cross-border payment network, and Mantle is carving a niche as a scalable DeFi backbone [1]. Together, these projects exemplify the current trajectory of the market—favoring execution and real-world adoption over speculative narratives.

Source: [1] Don’t Miss These Best Altcoins to Watch Now: BlockDAG, Arbitrum, Stellar, & Mantle (https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/689d741ab20e7a74aa5a3a0c/)