A dip in the crypto market often acts as a test—but also as an invitation. Coins with real use cases, strong upgrades, and ambitious teams don’t stop building just because prices take a step back. In fact, this reset might be one of the better chances to position early in projects with clear forward momentum.
Right now, several names stand out as potential frontrunners. BlockDAG, Arbitrum, Aave, and Optimism are all doing more than riding out the storm—they’re moving fast and showing signs of what’s to come. From active testnets and network experiments to protocol updates and upcoming unlocks, these projects are shaping up as some of the best-performing cryptos to buy if you’re planning with the long game in mind.
1. BlockDAG’s Beta Testnet & Presale Show Strong Progress
BlockDAG is making headlines again—this time with the launch of its Beta Testnet V1. This release comes with speed improvements, a no-code NFT/token builder, and a newly upgraded explorer, encouraging builders and early users to get involved.
To drive adoption, BlockDAG is offering a $60,000 reward pool for beta participants. With ongoing partnerships including Inter Milan, HackerEarth, and SpaceDev, the network’s broader vision includes over 1,000 dApps by 2026—spanning sectors like gaming, finance, and health.
What’s really drawing attention is the presale momentum. BlockDAG has raised over $212 million, selling more than 19.2 billion coins across 27 batches. Its price has surged to $0.0248, which marks a 2,380% gain from the opening batch. The aim is to raise $600 million before launch and list on 10 centralized exchanges.
With this mix of development, adoption, and funding, BlockDAG may be more than a presale success—it could be one of the best-performing cryptos to buy while the dip holds.
2. Aave Navigates Risk but Keeps Building
Aave is drawing both concern and interest. A large leveraged position—102,000 AAVE coins tied to GHO—could face liquidation if prices fall to $123. This has created selling pressure. However, the protocol continues to roll out new features, including a leverage re-staking event on Aave Prime. That event saw high demand for wstETH, which pushed borrowing rates higher and helped boost returns for lenders.
In parallel, Aave is integrating real-time risk alerts using IntoTheBlock’s Risk Pulse. It’s a move that shows how the platform remains engaged with safety even as markets move. AAVE is trading between $147 and $167, significantly below its March high of $238.73. Still, the mix of new tools and steady user interest makes it one of the best-performing cryptos to buy, particularly for users who see DeFi not just as yield—but as infrastructure.
3. Arbitrum’s Network Strategy Signals Long-Term Focus
Arbitrum is shifting its user experience strategy with a change dubbed “Operation Slowmo.” By slowing block times from 250ms to 2 seconds, the team aims to give transactions a more human feel. It’s a subtle but intentional tweak, showing how Arbitrum wants to improve user interaction. At the same time, the network is seeing higher on-chain activity, supported by collaborations with Mawari and WisdomTree. Since January, usage has jumped over 40%.
As of early April 2025, ARB is trading around $0.302, down slightly in the last 24 hours. Yet CoinCodex forecasts a price increase of about 30% by April 10, suggesting a move to $0.433. While some see the current price as a setback, others view it as a smart entry point. With its ongoing upgrades and growing ecosystem, Arbitrum looks like one of the best-performing cryptos to buy, especially for those looking for innovation beneath the surface.
4. Optimism Prepares for Ethereum’s Upgrade With a Strategic Push
Optimism is keeping its focus aligned with Ethereum’s growth. The upcoming Pectra upgrade, scheduled for April 8, is a major one aimed at improving security and efficiency. Optimism is already working with developers to ensure node software is ready ahead of time. Meanwhile, the recent token unlock on March 31 added nearly $28.67 million worth of OP to circulation—about 2% of the total supply. That might explain recent market softness.
OP is currently priced at $0.73, reflecting a 2% drop for the day and a 20% decline over the week. Still, the fundamentals remain solid. With a $1.1 billion market cap and a deep connection to Ethereum’s scaling roadmap, Optimism is still in the spotlight. For anyone watching Ethereum layer-2s, this current pricing might look more like a window than a warning. That’s why Optimism also stands out among the best-performing cryptos to buy during the current pullback.
Why These 4 Coins Could Be the Right Picks Now
Every dip in the crypto market brings questions—but also opportunities. For coins like BlockDAG, Arbitrum, Aave, and Optimism, the answers are coming through action. They’re releasing products, running experiments, upgrading protocols, and staying connected to communities. That kind of activity often leads—not follows—price action.
If you’re thinking a few moves ahead, these are the best-performing cryptos to buy not because they’re trending—but because they’re building. BlockDAG is proving its value with a strong testnet and presale. Arbitrum is reshaping how blockchains feel to use. Aave is managing pressure while innovating. And Optimism is riding closely alongside Ethereum’s next evolution. All four are worth paying close attention to—especially now, while the market is still quiet.
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