Choosing the top crypto for 2025 isn’t about chasing hype. It requires looking at adoption, measurable growth, and proven progress before major launches. People focused on investing in crypto have more options than ever, but only a few names truly show results instead of making empty promises.

Right now, four projects are in focus: BlockDAG (BDAG), Pi, Hedera, and Shiba Inu. Each has a different path toward adoption. But when progress is compared side by side, the differences stand out. Some are still developing, some are tied to institutional use, while one is already scaling with millions of miners and hundreds of millions raised before its mainnet.

1. BlockDAG (BDAG): Awakening Testnet, Global Miners,  & Nearly $410M Raised

BlockDAG is delivering real results ahead of its mainnet. Its Awakening Testnet launches on September 25, with upgrades like account abstraction, UTXO removal, explorer features, Stratum miner integration, and early groundwork for EIP-4337. Few projects bring this level of technical detail before listing.

The adoption story is even bigger. More than 3 million people mine BlockDAG (BDAG) through the X1 App, creating one of the world’s largest mobile mining bases. Over 20,000 X-Series hardware miners have been sold across 130 countries, with production scaling to 2,000 units weekly. This dual adoption of software and hardware sets it apart from other projects.

Presale results prove strong demand. BlockDAG has raised nearly $410M from 312,000 holders, selling over 26.4 billion coins. In Batch 30, BDAG is $0.03 with a confirmed launch target of $0.05, yet a limited-time price of $0.0016 is still available.

This mix of app mining, hardware adoption, and massive presale growth shows why BlockDAG is being called the clear top crypto for 2025. For anyone serious about investing in crypto, its scale and scarcity make it stand above the rest.

2. Pi Network: Technical Gains, But Still Locked

Pi Network has rolled out protocol updates from version 19 to 23 this September, adding stronger on-chain controls and closer alignment with Stellar. Linux node software has also broadened participation beyond mobile apps.

Yet the main issue persists. Pi still has no open mainnet, and coins remain locked. The last official number of verified users was 12M back in mid-2024, with no new updates. Community frustration grows as liquidity remains out of reach. Even with technical upgrades, Pi cannot move ahead until it solves access and usability.

3. Hedera: Institutional Strength, Slow Community Growth

Hedera Hashgraph marked a milestone in September when Wyoming’s Frontier Stable Token became the first state-backed stablecoin in the US to include Hedera as a supported network. This reinforced Hedera’s focus on public-sector and compliance-driven deals.

Still, Hedera grows mainly through enterprise and government partnerships, which develop slowly. While HBAR has kept a steady value, it lacks the rapid adoption that excites people investing in crypto. Compared to BlockDAG’s explosive user growth, Hedera’s progress feels cautious and long-term.

4. Shiba Inu: Billions of Transactions, Weak Burn Support

Shiba Inu’s Shibarium chain hit 1.56B transactions by September, showing broad use. However, daily activity fell to around 20,000 transactions, far below earlier highs.

Burn activity also dropped by more than 90% in some weeks. This weakens SHIB’s narrative around cutting supply to drive value. Current trading focuses on price stability, but adoption and fresh utility are missing. While SHIB still has one of the strongest meme communities, its growth story is fading.

Final Thoughts

The race for the top crypto of 2025 shows each project’s strengths and flaws. Pi is still upgrading, but is stuck with locked coins. Hedera wins institutional deals but grows slowly. Shiba Inu has community power, but it weakens with low burns and fewer daily users.

BlockDAG, on the other hand, is proving adoption before launch. With 3M mobile miners, over 20,000 hardware miners sold, 312,000 holders, and nearly $410M raised, it has achieved what others are still planning. For anyone focused on investing in crypto, BlockDAG is clearly the top crypto for 2025 and beyond.