BlockDAG CEO Announces $60K Rewards in Keynote 3 While Ripple Eyes BlackRock Deal as XRP ETF Odds Hit 87%
Ripple and BlackRock Partnership Rumors Spark Excitement While BlockDAG Executes Real Rewards Campaign
Ripple is making headlines again as speculation mounts around a potential partnership with asset management giant BlackRock. Conversations about a spot XRP ETF are intensifying, with industry analysts now estimating an 87% probability of an XRP ETF becoming a reality. While speculation continues to fuel XRP’s narrative, another blockchain project, BlockDAG, is turning heads for its real-world execution.
During the most recent Keynote 3, BlockDAG’s CEO, Antony Turner, unveiled a substantial testnet rewards initiative worth $60,000 in BDAG tokens, set to be distributed to 30 winners. Unlike Ripple, which remains at the center of speculation, BlockDAG is making tangible progress through community engagement and ecosystem building.
XRP ETF Hype: Ripple Eyes Potential BlackRock Collaboration
According to FXEmpire, discussions are intensifying about a potential collaboration between Ripple and BlackRock, one of the world’s largest asset management firms. The focus is on BlackRock’s interest in launching a spot XRP ETF, following its successful entry into the Bitcoin ETF market via the iShares Bitcoin Trust.
Prominent on-chain analyst EGRAG Crypto suggests there is now an 87% likelihood of an XRP ETF gaining approval. This optimism is driven by increasing regulatory clarity following Ripple’s partial victory in its 2023 legal battle against the SEC, which ruled that XRP is not a security when sold on exchanges.
If the XRP ETF does materialize, it could bridge the gap between traditional finance and Ripple’s vision of frictionless global remittance. However, until official confirmation emerges, the speculation will continue to dominate headlines.
BlockDAG Unveils $60K Testnet Rewards Campaign at Keynote 3
While Ripple is drawing attention through rumors, BlockDAG is focusing on tangible developments. During Keynote 3, Antony Turner announced a live Beta Testnet and a $60,000 rewards campaign aimed at users actively engaging with the ecosystem before the mainnet launch.
This initiative goes beyond a simple demo. The testnet replicates core functionalities of the upcoming BlockDAG network, including smart contract deployment, NFT minting, token creation, and live mining node interactions. Every verified investor has been granted an airdrop of 10,000 testnet BDAG tokens, complete with a vesting experience designed to simulate the Token Generation Event (TGE).
Airdrop Structure:
40% of tokens released immediately
20% of tokens released each week over the next three weeks
The entire process is managed through a smart contract vesting tool and an intuitive UI dashboard, allowing participants to track balances and release schedules in real-time.
$60,000 in Real BDAG Tokens for Top 30 Testnet Users
To boost community engagement, BlockDAG is awarding $60,000 worth of real BDAG tokens to the top 30 testnet participants, categorized into:
Top 10 wallets by activity
Top 10 miners by testnet output
Top 10 wallets by testnet balance
Each winning wallet will receive $2,000 worth of BDAG tokens on the live network post-TGE. These rewards will be integrated into BlockDAG’s circulating supply and will follow the official vesting timeline, just like presale tokens.
Conclusion
While Ripple’s potential partnership with BlackRock continues to generate excitement, it remains speculative. In contrast, BlockDAG is actively progressing with a functional testnet, real user rewards, and a strategic vision that goes beyond hype.
With $208M raised, a well-received testnet launch, and a $60,000 incentive program in progress, BlockDAG is more than a concept—it’s a rapidly growing ecosystem. As the countdown to TGE accelerates, BlockDAG offers investors a hands-on opportunity to participate in the network’s growth and development.