Keynote 3: BlockDAG Launches Beta Testnet with 2x Speed—While Aave Climbs to $188 & Cronos Hosts 500+ dApps

In crypto, trust isn’t earned by whitepapers—it’s earned by what you can actually use. Aave proved this early on by rolling out real DeFi lending. Cronos gained momentum through its deep connection with Crypto.com’s app and user base. Both succeeded by putting working products in people’s hands.

Now BlockDAG is pushing that idea even further. Instead of waiting until mainnet, it’s put its Beta Testnet live for everyone to explore. That means users, developers, and buyers can test the network, offer feedback, and interact with the system before the official launch. In a market where seeing is believing, this move is giving BlockDAG a head start on trust.

Aave: Leading the Charge in DeFi Lending

Since launching in 2020, Aave has been one of the major forces behind DeFi adoption. It offered something simple but powerful—borrow and lend crypto without going through banks or middlemen. Users deposit tokens into liquidity pools to earn interest, and borrowers access those funds with smart contracts.

Over time, Aave introduced features like flash loans, support for multiple chains, and new governance tools. By mid-2024, the platform had more than $11 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL)—a number that signals strong and steady usage. At one point in early 2025, AAVE reached nearly $400, thanks in part to backing from firms like World Liberty Financial.

As of March 26, 2025, AAVE is trading at $188.72, with a market cap of around $2.85 billion. It’s clear that early users who trusted the protocol’s vision have seen real returns. Aave has delivered value by staying focused on what users need—and showing up with working tools.

Cronos: Connecting Crypto.com with the DeFi World

Launched by Crypto.com in November 2021, Cronos was built to bridge centralized services and the growing world of DeFi. It’s fast, inexpensive to use, and tightly integrated with the Crypto.com app, making it easy for users to transition from traditional finance into Web3.

That accessibility helped Cronos rise quickly. By early 2025, the network had over 1 million users and supported more than 500 decentralized apps. As of March 26, 2025, CRO trades at $0.105981 with a market cap of nearly $2.82 billion. Looking ahead, analysts see CRO’s price fluctuating between $0.070 and $0.2644 this year—a wide range that shows both risk and opportunity.

For early backers, the returns have varied. Some locked in gains during price spikes; others faced volatility. But what’s clear is that Cronos continues to play a key role in Crypto.com’s long-term vision of simplifying DeFi access.

BlockDAG’s Beta Testnet Gives Buyers Something to See

BlockDAG’s decision to launch a public Beta Testnet ahead of mainnet isn’t just about transparency—it’s about confidence. In an industry full of big claims and long timelines, giving people something real to explore sets a different tone. And with 2x the speed of its earlier alpha phase, plus tools like a no-code token/NFT builder and live dApps, BlockDAG is already showing its tech in action.

That’s resonating with the market. Buyers aren’t just reading about BlockDAG—they’re watching it evolve in real time. The project has already raised $209 million in its ongoing presale, now in batch 27 with coins priced at $0.0248. Over 19 billion coins have been sold so far, and early adopters from batch 1 have seen a 2,380% return.

There’s also a focus on real engagement. Weekly token vesting encourages people to interact with the network—and stress-test it under realistic conditions. Rather than wait to impress after mainnet, BlockDAG is welcoming scrutiny now. And that openness is helping build trust.

Showing Results Before the Launch

Aave earned its place with working DeFi tools. Cronos did it through reach and integration. Now BlockDAG is following a similar path—by giving users access before asking for hype. Its Beta Testnet isn’t a teaser; it’s a functioning platform meant to be explored and refined in the open.

Instead of waiting for a polished mainnet, BlockDAG is saying: here’s what we’ve got—take a look, break it, build with it. That signals real intent. In a market where big promises often fall short, this kind of transparency might be exactly what users and buyers have been waiting for.

Website: https://blockdag.network

Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network

Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial

Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu

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