Ethereum News Today: Ethereum's Slide vs. BlockDAG's Surge: A New Era for Crypto?

Ethereum (ETH) fell 0.88% to $3,949.15 on October 29, marking its largest percentage decline since October 28, 2025, when it dropped 3.59%, according to a Morningstar report. The price decline follows two consecutive days of losses, with the token down 4.44% over that period and 5.81% month-to-date. Despite the recent dip, Ethereum remains up 18.07% year-to-date, though it is still 20.30% below its all-time intraday high of $4,955.23 set on August 24, 2025. Analysts note that the 52-week performance contrasts sharply, with the token up 47.52% from its October 30, 2024, price of $2,676.99 and 177.45% above its April 9, 2025, low of $1,387.85.

Meanwhile, Chainlink (LINK) is consolidating in a key $17–$20 range, with technical indicators suggesting potential for a breakout. The token is currently at $18.35, up 1.68% weekly, as traders monitor the $20 level for a potential upward move, according to a CryptoFront analysis. Analysts highlight that a break above $20 could signal the start of a new bullish trend, with targets as high as $21.41. Conversely, a rejection below $17.41 could trigger further consolidation. Macro-level analysis ties Chainlink's performance to global M2 liquidity cycles, with historical data showing a 320-day lag between liquidity expansion and price surges. With M2 stabilizing at elevated levels, some predict a bull market phase for LINK could begin by late November, lasting until May 2026.

A separate analysis from Ali Martinez projects a potential pullback to $15 before a 200% rally toward $46, based on Fibonacci retracement and descending triangle patterns, according to an Ali Martinez analysis. The setup suggests a wave-3 bullish expansion if the $15 support holds, offering a 167%–207% gain from that level. Whale accumulation and rising on-chain activity further reinforce optimism, though short-term volatility remains a risk.

In the presale arena, BlockDAG (BDAG) has raised nearly $435 million, securing its position as one of 2025's fastest-growing projects, according to a Crypto.News report. The hybrid Proof-of-Work and DAG architecture supports transaction speeds of 2,000–15,000 TPS, positioning it as a scalable Layer-1 contender. With 27 billion coins sold and 312,000 holders, the project is in its 32nd presale batch at $0.005 per token, ahead of a planned $0.05 listing on February 10, 2026. CertiK and Halborn audits, coupled with 20,000 X10 miners sold, have bolstered credibility, making BDAG a focal point for investors seeking high-growth opportunities, according to a U.Today article.

The presale momentum has sparked comparisons with traditional crypto projects like Stellar (XLM) and SEI, which remain in consolidation phases, as noted in the Crypto.News report. BlockDAG's transparent roadmap, including public leadership visibility and miner delivery, has attracted both retail and institutional attention. Analysts suggest the project's success could redefine presale dynamics, emphasizing data-driven validation over hype-driven speculation.

As Ethereum grapples with near-term volatility and Chainlink eyes a breakout, BlockDAG's presale surge underscores the evolving landscape of crypto innovation. With macroeconomic factors and technical setups aligning, the coming months may determine whether these projects solidify their roles in the next bull cycle.