From 2017 to 2020, Polkadot, Filecoin, and Tezos were among the most prominent crypto names when it came to early fundraising. These projects each attracted huge public interest, gathering hundreds of millions in support and laying the foundation for new blockchain networks.
In 2025, that benchmark has been left behind, not by a project funded by Silicon Valley, but by BlockDAG (BDAG), a decentralized Layer 1 initiative powered solely by public backing. BlockDAG has crossed $304 million in presale funds and now has 2 million users on its live X1 app. It has exceeded the previous fundraising marks of Polkadot ($145M), Filecoin ($233M), and Tezos ($232M), without VC support, legal complications, or promising a product that doesn’t yet exist.
Comparing BlockDAG to the Former ICO Giants
To truly understand BlockDAG’s achievement, it helps to revisit the records it has now broken.
Tezos ($232M Raised in 2017) Tezos emerged as a self-amending blockchain project that focused on on-chain governance. It raised $232 million in less than two weeks. However, its model, built on non-refundable donations, sparked confusion, and legal disputes held back the project’s development and trust.
Filecoin ($233M Raised in 2017) As a decentralized storage network, Filecoin raised $233 million and became one of the biggest names of the ICO wave. Despite its strong start, the project faced a slow rollout, was heavily VC-backed, and diluted early public participants, which slowed initial adoption.
Polkadot ($145M Raised in 2017) Polkadot focused on improving blockchain interoperability. It collected $145 million in funding, but progress moved slowly. Users dealt with token reworks, auction delays, and a long road to usability. Institutional partners played a major role throughout.
BlockDAG Raises $304M With No VC or Inside Access
BlockDAG has reached $304 million entirely through crypto presale, without any institutional financing or private allocations. Unlike older projects that required faith in a future rollout, BlockDAG’s ecosystem is already live.
The X1 mining app has become a key feature, currently used by 2 million people globally. It lets users mine BDAG coins from their phones, connect with the network, and collect daily mining rewards. Instead of selling an idea, BlockDAG is delivering utility in real time, available to all.
Batch 29 Price of $0.0276 Leaves Room for Huge Growth
Now in batch 29, BDAG is priced at $0.0276. This is still well below the planned launch price of $0.05. That pricing leaves plenty of upside:
At $1: 36.2x increase
At $4: 144.9x growth
At $20: 724.6x rise
Someone who allocates $1,000 now could see their funds grow to $36,200, $144,900, or $724,600, depending on future performance. Unlike earlier ICOs where early VC participation cut out the public, every BDAG coin so far has been publicly distributed.
Fast-Paced Rollout With No Legal Risks or Structural Issues
Unlike the challenges faced by earlier giants, lawsuits in Tezos’ case, delays for Filecoin, or restructuring for Polkadot, BlockDAG has moved with speed and clarity. Here’s what it has accomplished:
$304M raised with no VC funding involved
Delivered a working app used by 2 million people
Created a strong base of miners and users from day one
Set a cap of 45 presale batches to avoid overextension
Eliminated insider advantages from the allocation model
This isn’t just a typical presale, it’s a publicly backed chain running at a scale that many VC-funded projects fail to reach.
What’s Next After Hitting $304 Million?
Even with its current milestone, BlockDAG isn’t slowing down. With a final goal of $600 million, it aims to enter the market with a major liquidity reserve and an active community. Its user-first model ensures real participation rather than paid hype.
The system uses a DAG-based architecture built for fast, scalable, and secure operations. X1’s reward structure encourages consistent engagement, and the entirely public distribution avoids the usual lockups and central exits that hurt post-launch price stability.
Final Thoughts!
Crossing $304 million isn’t just a headline, it reflects a shift. BlockDAG is showing that public-driven growth, not institutional backing, can deliver large-scale success.
It has already surpassed Tezos, Filecoin, and Polkadot, without delays, dilution, or court battles. It’s setting a new tone for presales: open, straightforward, and built on action, not anticipation.
Batch 29 is live, priced at $0.0018, and the presale continues. The window is still open, but not for long. In a space where attention is everything, BlockDAG has already secured its spotlight.
Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network
Website: https://blockdag.network
Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial
Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu
The post With $304M Raised, BlockDAG Leaves Polkadot, Tezos & Filecoin ICOs in the Dust! appeared first on CoinoMedia.
