BlockDAG (BDAG) has moved into a major milestone by launching its long-awaited Beta Testnet V1 during Keynote 3. This event sparked major excitement across the crypto scene, showing that BlockDAG is not just delivering on its roadmap but is also adding real value with reward-based testing.
A $60,000 prize pool has been rolled out for Beta Testnet users, drawing interest from its community of over 170,000. As attention now turns to the upcoming mainnet release, it’s becoming more apparent that BlockDAG is not just a project in progress — it’s fast becoming the one to keep an eye on.
Live Beta Testnet V1 Marks a Major Advance
Unlike soft launches or early-stage trials, Beta Testnet V1 came fully built, showing significant improvements over its Alpha version. The updated blockchain processes transactions at double the speed compared to earlier phases. A big addition is the redesigned blockchain explorer, which now shows tokens and NFTs, allows tracking of smart contracts, and displays real-time network data in a visual format.
What stands out most for builders is the introduction of the Token and NFT Wizard, a tool that lets users generate ERC-20, ERC-721, and ERC-1155 tokens without any coding. This step significantly opens up access for projects and experiments by the community.
During the keynote, CEO Antony Turner spoke on the importance of this step, saying, “Today is another big step forward. We’re happy to launch our first Beta Testnet.” He explained that this testnet is not just a tech upgrade, but a working environment for users to test and shape the wider system ahead of the mainnet.
Verified members of the BlockDAG community can join the testnet and receive 10,000 testnet BDAG coins. These coins are unlocked weekly over a four-week period, mirroring how future mainnet coins will be distributed. This lets users experience the same process that will apply after launch.
$60K Reward Plan Turns Test Phase Into Contest
In contrast to typical closed test environments, BlockDAG chose to open up testing and attach real value to user participation. The team has allocated a total of $60,000 in BDAG coins for users who show the highest levels of activity. Rewards are divided into three groups: the 10 most active wallets, the 10 best testnet miners, and the 10 wallets with the highest balances — each receiving $2,000 in real BDAG coins, with 30 winners in all.
Antony Turner explained this during the event, saying, “We want to give you a reason to take part.” Instead of just letting people watch the process, BlockDAG is offering direct rewards to those helping test the platform thoroughly. This has already sparked a wave of engagement, with users working to test dApps, increase usage, and explore what the platform can handle before the real coin is created.
These rewards are also part of a wider technical effort, serving to test how smart contracts, vesting systems, and user interfaces perform under pressure. It’s a way for the team to gather important feedback while also offering something meaningful to the community. This supports BlockDAG’s principle of testing thoroughly before full-scale launch.
BlockDAG’s Mainnet Now Has a Clear Timeline
Turner made it clear that BlockDAG’s mainnet is planned for 2025, with development progressing steadily. When it launches, the mainnet is set to handle 2,000 transactions per second from day one, with a target of reaching 15,000 TPS within two years. This speed would set it ahead of many other Proof-of-Work-based blockchains.
Beyond high transaction speed, the mainnet will come with built-in features for DeFi, such as staking, swapping, lending, and cross-chain bridges. There will also be systems for governance, allowing the community to take part in votes and suggest changes, making BlockDAG truly open and community-run.
Turner said the team is aiming for complete harmony: “Everything we build—from the blockchain to the tools like our explorer, coding platforms, data trackers, and oracles—will connect as one secure and open system.”
This means that what users are currently testing through the Beta Testnet is very close to what they’ll experience on the mainnet. They are not working with a cut-down version, but a nearly complete preview of the full platform, including its speed, features, and economic system.
Beta Testnet Bridges the Gap to Full Launch
BlockDAG has shifted from being a project in development to a working network through the Beta Testnet. People are no longer waiting for features to arrive — they are already testing, mining, building, and competing in real time. The $60,000 reward program has changed this testnet from just a technical test to a place with actual financial incentives.
What’s even clearer is that the current testnet stage is being treated by the team as a trial run for the mainnet itself. With over 800,000 users on the X1 Miner App and 400,000 active in the TG Tap Miner Game, BlockDAG is not just preparing for wide use — it is putting it into practice now.
Turner ended the keynote with a strong statement: “We’re not only thinking about what’s ahead—we’re making it, shaping it, and doing it with purpose.”
With the Beta Testnet now live and heading smoothly toward the mainnet, BlockDAG is no longer just a Layer-1 in planning. It stands out as one of the most ready and community-supported launches the crypto space has seen in years.
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