BlockDAG vs Internet Computer: Why ICP's Top 40 Status Could Be at Risk

The focus of market watchers assessing the top 50 cryptocurrencies is shifting, and Internet Computer (ICP) appears to be losing traction. Once celebrated as a revolutionary decentralized internet system, ICP soared in 2021 with a market capitalization of $45 billion, but has since lost over 98% of its worth by 2025. Although it remains technologically advanced, its primary weakness is in practical progress, as developer growth has slowed and project momentum has nearly stalled.

Meanwhile, BlockDAG (BDAG) https://blockdag.network/ is gaining attention for delivering real use cases even before its official debut. The move from theoretical vision to measurable results is redefining the mid-cap space, and ICP may soon lose its place among the top-tier projects.

ICP's Current Challenges in Perspective

Internet Computer entered the crypto arena with lofty ambitions, supported by the DFINITY Foundation and marketed as a complete decentralized replacement for the traditional web. At its height in May 2021, ICP's market cap exceeded $45 billion, with each coin valued above $400. However, by 2025, it had fallen by over 98%, barely managing to remain within the Top 40 list by market capitalization.

The core issue is not its technology but its execution. Adoption has stagnated with limited high-profile integrations or dApps expanding their ecosystem. Developer participation has also slowed. Electric Capital's Developer Report indicates ICP experienced under 10% growth in active developers last year, lagging behind thriving ecosystems such as Ethereum, Solana, and even newer entrants like Aptos and Sui.

Analysts remain divided on ICP's price prediction. While some expect a short-term rebound to around $10-$15, others warn that without actual user engagement, the long-term direction looks uncertain. Currently, its market capitalization sits near $2 billion, but as trading activity declines and user interest shifts elsewhere, that position could soon weaken further.

BlockDAG's Lead: Functional Use Before Mainnet Launch

Unlike ICP's post-launch stagnation, BlockDAG is entering the market with operational infrastructure and existing activity. Its hybrid Proof-of-Work plus Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) model already supports:

Over 3.5 million active daily miners on the X1 App

More than 20,000 X-series miners (X10, X30, X100) delivered worldwide

A functioning explorer, dashboard, and simulated trading platform

EVM and WASM support for seamless DeFi and dApp onboarding

Technical readiness for Smart Accounts (EIP-4337) and Stratum Protocol synchronization

BlockDAG stands out because it's not just promising a concept but proving performance with measurable adoption.

Adding to its credibility is a marketing reach few presale projects achieve. Its partnership with the BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team, including live events in Singapore and Austin, has given it global visibility. With Batch 31 priced at $0.0304, BlockDAG currently offers coins at a limited-time $0.0015. Having raised over $425 million, sold more than 27 billion coins, and attracted 325,000+ users, BlockDAG is entering launch with unparalleled momentum.

Could BlockDAG Replace ICP in the Top 40 Rankings?

Given its present growth rate and established foundation, BlockDAG shows the potential to secure a Top 40 position after its mainnet launch. Achieving this would require a market cap of around $1.7-$2.1 billion, a realistic target considering its $425M+ crypto presale success, upcoming CEX listings, and structured token release plan.

BlockDAG's valuation is driven by active engagement rather than speculation. The 3.5M+ miners using its X1 App contribute to consistent Proof-of-Engagement data, while its hardware units provide verifiable network power, an achievement only matched by Kadena among Top 50 assets. In contrast, ICP's ecosystem has shown steady declines in GitHub activity and active developer count since late 2023.

Investor focus is already shifting. With its leaderboard-driven TGE code, escalating batch pricing, and solid user base, early adopters are positioning themselves for both immediate and future growth potential. Its advanced infrastructure, miner synchronization, EVM/WASM integration, and DAG+PoW efficiency underscore the scalable model ICP aimed for but hasn't delivered. While ICP continues promoting its potential, BlockDAG is demonstrating real execution.

Final Takeaway

Internet Computer once symbolized the dream of a decentralized web, but that vision has faded in 2025. Stalled developer participation, minimal community traction, and limited application success have eroded its standing. BlockDAG, by contrast, is already showcasing performance that aligns with what many projects only aspire to achieve.

With $425M+ secured, 3.5M+ active miners, and a robust pre-launch ecosystem, BlockDAG's entry into post-launch rankings appears more strategic than speculative. The project's ecosystem, partnerships, and technical scalability place it directly in competition with ICP's current market slot. As attention shifts to projects delivering practical progress, ICP's future in the Top 40 looks uncertain, while BlockDAG's trajectory points firmly upward.

OkPresale:
https://purchase.blockdag.network
Website: https://blockdag.network

Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial

Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu

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This release was published on openPR.