From university forums to crypto Telegram groups, everyone’s talking about one thing—BlockDAG’s Keynote 3. And the buzz isn’t just hype. With a live beta testnet, full explorer features, growing dApp support, and one of the most robust Layer 1 security architectures to date, BlockDAG is winning attention where it matters most: among developers, researchers, and serious buyers.

The keynote marks a major moment in the project’s journey—unveiling real functionality while putting forward a bold, technically sound vision. With more than $208 million raised, over 19 billion BDAG coins sold, and 800,000+ X1 App users onboarded, the numbers show that this isn’t just a speculative wave—it’s an ecosystem being built with precision.

From Lecture Halls to Layer 1 Labs: Why Academics Are Paying Attention

Much of the buzz in academic circles is thanks to Dr. Maurice Herlihy, a world-renowned computer scientist and BlockDAG’s blockchain advisor. In Keynote 3, Herlihy broke down the core insight behind BlockDAG’s architecture: the move away from linear chains to a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) system supported by Proof-of-Work.

“The key insight behind BlockDAG’s design is this: instead of treating forking like sand in the stopwatch, why not embrace it?”

This quote struck a chord with researchers across distributed systems communities. DAGs offer scalability through parallel block creation, and when combined with the security of PoW, they address a long-standing issue in blockchain design: how to scale without losing trust.

BlockDAG’s decision to adopt the GhostDAG protocol, optimized for EVM compatibility, allows developers to build scalable decentralized applications while maintaining the safety guarantees researchers care about.

A Live Beta Testnet, Functional Explorer, and Early dApps

Keynote 3 also delivered more than theory. BlockDAG officially launched its Beta Testnet V1, which has already processed over 1.2 million transactions through more than 100 active community nodes.

This version isn’t just a speed test—it includes:

• A revamped blockchain explorer with deep functionality
• A Token and NFT creation wizard

• Early support for WASM-based smart contracts

• Simple interfaces for building and deploying dApps
• Testnet BDAG distributions for holders, creating early engagement

“With this beta version, you can expect so much more,” said Turner. “A vastly improved explorer, token tools, and various dApps for you to engage with.”

That level of clarity and product delivery is what’s catching attention in dev circles and tech meetups. It’s a rare thing in a space flooded by announcements with no actual substance.

Security Architecture That’s More Than Just a Buzzword

BlockDAG is also setting itself apart in the most critical way—security. In Keynote 3, Dr. Youssef Khaoulaj, Chief Security Officer, gave a clear breakdown of how BlockDAG is built to withstand modern attacks:

“A blockchain is only as strong as the security protecting it. That’s why we’ve engineered BlockDAG with robust cryptographic protections and a decentralized consensus mechanism designed to eliminate vulnerabilities.”

The network integrates MPC-secured treasury operations, audits by firms like Certik and Halborn, and geographically distributed infrastructure for fault tolerance. These decisions reflect best practices found in academic papers—but rarely implemented this well in actual projects.

More importantly, the DAG design itself improves resilience. By allowing multiple miners to validate in parallel, BlockDAG naturally avoids some of the congestion and attack surfaces of traditional linear chains.

Why This Keynote Feels Like a Tipping Point

Keynote 3 didn’t rely on drama. It relied on data. With more than 170,000 holders, over 16,600 miners sold, and two live products—the X1 App and Tap Miner game—BlockDAG is no longer theoretical. It’s live, growing, and set to launch mainnet with a complete stack: staking, token creation, NFTs, cross-chain support, and DeFi tools baked in from day one.

“Let’s make history, one block at a time,” said CEO Antony Turner at the close of Keynote 3.

For crypto enthusiasts, that’s a rallying cry. For developers and academics? It’s a call to build.

As this hybrid protocol gains visibility, the possibility of BlockDAG becoming the backbone of scalable Web3 infrastructure feels less like a question—and more like an unfolding reality.

Website: https://blockdag.network

Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network

Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial

Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has launched its first Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) in Europe on March 25, 2025. The iShares Bitcoin ETP is now trading on major European exchanges, including Xetra in Germany, Euronext Paris in France, and Euronext Amsterdam in the Netherlands. It is listed under the ticker IB1T on Xetra and Euronext Paris, and BTCN on Euronext Amsterdam. This move follows the success of BlackRock’s U.S.-based iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which has amassed over $50 billion in assets since its launch in January 2024.

The European ETP is domiciled in Switzerland and is physically backed by Bitcoin, with Coinbase serving as the custodian and Bank of New York Mellon as the administrator. It offers a temporary fee waiver of 10 basis points, reducing the expense ratio to 0.15% until December 31, 2025, after which it will rise to 0.25%. This launch taps into growing demand for cryptocurrency exposure in Europe, where the ETP market, though established, remains smaller than the U.S., with total assets around $13.6 billion compared to over $116 billion in U.S. Bitcoin ETFs.

BlackRock’s entry into the European crypto market builds on its earlier success in North America and reflects a broader trend of institutional adoption of Bitcoin, especially following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs last year. The firm’s expansion comes amid record financial performance, with its assets under management reaching $11.6 trillion in Q4 2024.  BlackRock’s entry further validates Bitcoin as a credible asset class. As the world’s largest asset manager, its involvement signals to traditional investors—pensions, endowments, and retail clients—that cryptocurrencies are becoming a staple in diversified portfolios. The ETP structure allows European investors to gain Bitcoin exposure through regulated exchanges without needing to manage private keys or navigate crypto exchanges, lowering the barrier to entry and potentially accelerating retail and institutional adoption.

The iShares Bitcoin ETP could increase Bitcoin’s liquidity in Europe, where crypto ETPs have lagged behind the U.S. With BlackRock’s scale and marketing power, this product might attract significant inflows, mirroring the $50 billion success of its U.S. counterpart, IBIT. Increased demand via the ETP could exert upward pressure on Bitcoin’s price, especially if it draws in new capital from conservative investors. However, this depends on market sentiment and broader economic conditions, such as interest rates or inflation trends.

This move intensifies competition with existing European providers like 21Shares and CoinShares, whose ETPs hold a combined $13.6 billion in assets. BlackRock’s lower fees (0.15% initially) could spark a fee war, benefiting investors but squeezing smaller players. BlackRock’s involvement might push European regulators to clarify or harmonize crypto rules, especially in the EU where the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework is still rolling out. Switzerland’s role as the ETP’s domicile highlights its crypto-friendly stance, potentially influencing other jurisdictions.

The success of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, followed by BlackRock’s European expansion, could encourage regulators elsewhere (e.g., UK, Asia) to greenlight similar products, creating a global ripple effect. With inflation concerns lingering and traditional assets like bonds underperforming in some markets, Bitcoin’s appeal as a “digital gold” could grow. BlackRock’s timing suggests it’s positioning to capture this shift in investor preference. For European investors, a Bitcoin ETP offers another way to diversify away from euro-denominated assets, especially as geopolitical tensions and energy crises continue to challenge the region’s economy. Bitcoin’s notorious price swings could deter conservative investors or lead to outflows during downturns, testing BlackRock’s ability to manage expectations.

While Switzerland is crypto-friendly, cross-border sales in the EU might face hurdles if regulators view the ETP as a test case for MiCA compliance. Relying on Coinbase as custodian introduces counterparty risk, especially given past crypto exchange failures like FTX. Any security breach could undermine trust in the iShares Bitcoin ETP product. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETP launch in Europe is a pivotal step toward integrating crypto into traditional finance, likely boosting adoption and liquidity while challenging regulators and competitors. However, its success hinges on market conditions, investor appetite, and BlackRock’s ability to navigate crypto’s inherent risks.