BDAG vs NEAR & Aptos: Keynote 3 Shows Tangible Progress Ahead of Mainnet

Keynote 3 Highlights: BlockDAG’s 19B Coins Sold & $0.0248 Coin Outpace NEAR & Aptos

Projects like NEAR Protocol and Aptos have built their reputation on scaling promises and technical advancements, from sharding and consensus upgrades to new strategic alliances. But when looking at actual, user-facing progress before a mainnet launch, BlockDAG is clearly setting a different standard. With a functioning beta testnet, shipment of 10,000 ASIC miners, and tools already in place for developers, BlockDAG is showing results—not just plans.

While NEAR and Aptos concentrate on protocol refinements, BlockDAG’s hands-on progress points to a larger shift—from projections to tangible results—especially important when evaluating performance across Layer 1 blockchains.

NEAR Aims for Scalable Blockchain Development with User-Centric Features

NEAR Protocol is a Layer-1 blockchain built to support scalable, developer-friendly decentralized apps. Through its Nightshade sharding approach, NEAR improves transaction speed and reduces wait times—tackling the common bottlenecks in blockchain infrastructure. This system allows for parallel transaction processing, enhancing capacity and system performance.

As of now, NEAR trades at roughly $2.65 USD. The token has shown varied price movements, with certain growth phases. In one week alone, NEAR jumped 23.9%, while its Total Value Locked (TVL) climbed 18.8%, indicating growing engagement and capital entering its ecosystem. Still, market corrections have followed, reflecting crypto’s inherent price volatility.

Aptos Pushes Technical Boundaries Through High-Speed & Secure Architecture

Aptos is a Layer-1 blockchain project that evolved from Meta’s discontinued Diem initiative. Founded by ex-Meta developers, it uses the Move programming language and AptosBFTv4 consensus model to enhance security and scale. These technologies support fast, reliable blockchain activity—especially useful for apps requiring consistent throughput.

Currently, Aptos (APT) trades at about $5.31 USD. The past year shows steady gains, including a 10.5% rise in just one week and a 14.3% boost in TVL, suggesting stronger interest and use across its ecosystem. Strategic ties with Microsoft and Google Cloud have further strengthened its position, signaling potential for broader enterprise adoption.

Together, NEAR and Aptos have made progress in blockchain tech and have gained traction through partnerships. Despite market swings, their growth paths indicate continued relevance in Layer 1 blockchain development.

BlockDAG Delivers Key Infrastructure & Developer Tools Before Mainnet

While many projects focus on hype, BlockDAG has taken a results-first approach. Long before launching its mainnet, it has released working products that users and developers can already access.

Over 10,000 ASIC miners have been distributed globally, showing the project’s hardware commitment and mining capacity. At the same time, BlockDAG’s beta testnet is active and validating the GhostDAG protocol in public conditions. This isn’t theoretical testing or internal simulations—it’s live and verifiable.

Beyond infrastructure, BlockDAG has rolled out practical resources for developers, including the BlockDAG Academy, smart contract templates, and detailed documentation to support decentralized app creation—even ahead of the mainnet.

Buyer response reflects confidence. By Batch 27, the presale raised $210.5 million and sold more than 19 billion coins. At $0.0248 per coin, early adopters from Batch 1 have already seen a 2,380% return. This growth reflects interest driven by actual delivery—not just marketing or speculation.

In short, BlockDAG is proving its model works by focusing on execution. Few projects can show real-world deployment, a working testnet, and developer engagement tools before mainnet. This is less about potential and more about concrete proof of progress.

When Real Output Becomes the Metric for Blockchain Value

In crypto, timelines and whitepapers often take priority over delivery. Yet it’s real progress—not future promises—that defines long-term project value. NEAR Protocol and Aptos have indeed made strides in refining blockchain fundamentals and expanding through high-profile partnerships.

But BlockDAG draws a sharp contrast by delivering before its mainnet. With a testnet already running, miners shipped globally, and developer tools live, the project stands on completed work—not projections. For those comparing Layer 1 performance, this level of early achievement provides a clear advantage.

It’s no longer just about who has the most advanced architecture. The key question is: who’s already showing what their tech can do? And in that comparison, BlockDAG is setting the pace.