Keynote 3: BlockDAG Raises $210.5M Backed by Ecosystem Strength—Can Polygon & Arbitrum Keep Up?

Scaling blockchain networks takes more than speeding up transactions—it’s about creating an infrastructure that can grow and last. Polygon and Arbitrum have worked hard to ease Ethereum’s congestion using Layer 2 technology.

They’ve introduced sidechains and optimistic rollups to cut down fees and delays. But despite their progress, both tokens have taken a hit in the market, showing how unpredictable adoption can be.

Meanwhile, BlockDAG is taking a different approach. It’s not just about faster consensus—it’s about building a complete ecosystem. With tools like explorers, oracles, indexers, and its own IDE, BlockDAG is creating a support system that can carry a network well into the future.

Polygon: Speeding Up Ethereum, But Feeling the Market Impact

Polygon, previously known as Matic Network, is one of Ethereum’s top scaling solutions. It uses a proof-of-stake validator network and sidechains to process transactions away from Ethereum’s mainnet. This helps lower gas fees and clear congestion while keeping transaction speeds high.

The project started in 2017 by selling 3.8% of its supply in a private round. Later, in 2019, it sold 19% during a launchpad round at $0.00263 per token, raising about $5 million.

However, market momentum hasn’t held. On March 29, 2024, MATIC was priced at around $0.9912. A year later, on March 29, 2025, it had fallen sharply to $0.21, down about 78.8%. While that drop reflects broader market conditions, Polygon still plays a significant role as a key Layer 2 player in Ethereum’s ecosystem.

Arbitrum: Optimistic Rollups That Lower Fees—But With Volatility

Arbitrum is another Ethereum scaling solution that uses optimistic rollups to process transactions off-chain and post the results back to the mainnet. This reduces fees and speeds things up, especially for decentralized apps. It groups transactions together and only posts the outcome, making it a more efficient option for high-volume platforms.

Early on, Arbitrum raised around $124 million through Series A and B rounds, with token prices set at $0.12.

But despite the strong tech, its token hasn’t escaped price swings. On March 29, 2024, ARB was trading at $1.6450. By March 29, 2025, it dropped to about $0.3291—an 80% decline. It’s a reminder of how quickly sentiment can shift, even for well-backed projects. Still, Arbitrum continues to grow as the market adjusts and matures.

BlockDAG’s Ecosystem: More Than Consensus—It’s a Full Tech Stack

While BlockDAG’s hybrid DAG + Proof-of-Work setup gets much of the spotlight, what’s powering the network behind the scenes is just as important. Its ecosystem is loaded with the tools needed for serious blockchain adoption—and they’re already live.

The BlockDAG Explorer gives users a real-time look at blocks, transactions, and other on-chain data. It builds transparency and lets people see what’s happening as it happens. Then there are the indexers, which organize blockchain data so developers can work with it without delays. Oracles connect off-chain data with smart contracts, ensuring real-world info is part of the system.

On top of all that, BlockDAG has its own IDE—an Integrated Development Environment that makes it easier to build decentralized apps. It’s a tool that lowers the barrier for new developers and helps speed up innovation on the network.

All of this infrastructure is impressive—it’s attracting serious buyers. So far, BlockDAG’s presale has brought in $210.5 million. Batch 27 is currently priced at $0.0248, and with more than 19 billion coins sold, early adopters have already seen a 2,380% ROI since Batch 1. That growth speaks volumes about what this ecosystem is capable of supporting.

Looking Past Speed—Why Infrastructure Matters Most

Polygon and Arbitrum have done a lot to solve Ethereum’s scaling problems, offering faster and cheaper alternatives through Layer 2 solutions. But as blockchain continues to evolve, performance alone won’t be enough.

BlockDAG is making the case that infrastructure—real, working tools that support users and developers—is the key to long-term success. It’s not just about how fast transactions can move. It’s about what a blockchain can offer once the basics are in place.

With live explorers, efficient indexers, reliable oracles, and a developer-friendly IDE, BlockDAG is setting itself apart. As the industry grows, the chains with the strongest foundations—not just the fastest ones—will likely lead the way.

Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network

Website: https://blockdag.network

Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial

Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu

Disclaimer: This content is a sponsored post and is intended for informational purposes only. It was not written by 36crypto, does not reflect the views of 36crypto and is not a financial advice. Please do your research before engaging with the products.

The post Keynote 3: BlockDAG Raises $210.5M Backed by Ecosystem Strength—Can Polygon & Arbitrum Keep Up? appeared first on 36Crypto.