Ethereum dominates the EVM, BlockDAG targets its bottleneck with 1,400 TPS before January 26

BlockDAG contrasts Ethereum by offering native EVM scalability at 1400 TPS without relying on Layer 2 rollups.

Ethereum currently processes roughly 15 to 30 transactions per second at the base layer, with gas fees frequently spiking above $20 during peak demand and validator activity distributed across more than 900,000 nodes. Its market dominance remains clear, supported by trillions of dollars in cumulative on-chain value settled since launch.

However, this performance ceiling has pushed most EVM activity toward Layer-2 rollups. Against this backdrop, BlockDAG enters the EVM ecosystem with a stated throughput of 1,400 transactions per second at Layer 1, reframing scalability as a native execution feature rather than an external add-on. The contrast between Ethereum and BlockDAG centers on how EVM performance is delivered and where execution bottlenecks are resolved.

Ethereum’s EVM performance ceiling

Ethereum remains the reference standard for EVM-based development, hosting thousands of decentralized applications, stablecoins, and DeFi protocols. Its execution environment is trusted, battle-tested, and supported by the largest developer community in the industry. 

However, Ethereum’s base-layer throughput has not materially increased despite upgrades like the Merge and subsequent optimizations. The network continues to rely on Layer-2 solutions such as Optimism, Arbitrum, and zk-rollups to scale transaction volume. 

This layered approach improves capacity but introduces fragmentation. Liquidity becomes distributed across multiple execution environments, bridging adds complexity, and finality depends on settlement back to the base chain. While Ethereum prioritizes decentralization and security, its EVM performance ceiling at Layer 1 remains a structural constraint. As a result, developers building high-frequency or compute-heavy applications must design around congestion, fee volatility, and delayed settlement. 

BlockDAG’s layer-1 EVM throughput model

BlockDAG positions itself within the same EVM universe but challenges the assumption that execution scalability must sit above the base layer. By using a Directed Acyclic Graph structure rather than a strictly linear block sequence, BlockDAG allows multiple blocks to be processed and validated in parallel. This architecture underpins its claim of supporting up to 1,400 transactions per second at Layer 1 while maintaining EVM compatibility. 

For developers, this means smart contracts can run in a familiar environment without relying on rollups or off-chain execution layers. Transaction ordering is handled through graph-based consensus, reducing bottlenecks during peak demand. Instead of offloading congestion to secondary networks, BlockDAG integrates throughput directly into its core execution design. This shifts scalability from an external dependency to a native protocol feature, altering how EVM workloads are deployed and managed. 

EVM compatibility without layer-2 dependency

Ethereum’s approach has led to a modular ecosystem where execution, data availability, and settlement are increasingly separated. While this model supports long-term scaling goals, it places additional burdens on developers and users. Cross-rollup liquidity, bridging risks, and varying security assumptions complicate application design. BlockDAG’s strategy contrasts by keeping execution consolidated at Layer 1 while preserving EVM tooling, wallets, and developer workflows.

This consolidation has implications for latency and cost predictability. With higher base-layer throughput, transaction fees are less sensitive to short-term spikes in activity. Applications that require consistent execution speed, such as gaming, real-time financial instruments, or enterprise automation, benefit from reduced reliance on layered infrastructure. In this context, BlockDAG does not replace Ethereum’s ecosystem but offers an alternative execution environment for EVM workloads that prioritize speed at the protocol level.

Network economics and market positioning

Ethereum’s economic model is closely tied to its scarcity mechanics and fee burn introduced through EIP-1559. While this supports long-term value accrual, it does not directly address execution capacity. High demand still translates into congestion, and users effectively bid for block space. BlockDAG approaches network economics from a different angle by expanding available throughput, which increases block space supply rather than rationing it through higher fees.

Market interest in this model is reflected in BlockDAG’s ongoing presale. The project has raised over $442 million to date, with the current batch priced at $0.003. The presale is officially scheduled to end on 26th January, marking a transition from capital formation to broader network deployment. These figures signal investor demand for Layer-1 solutions that maintain EVM compatibility while addressing performance limits directly.

Evolution rather than replacement

The comparison between Ethereum and BlockDAG is not framed as a zero-sum outcome. Ethereum continues to serve as the settlement and liquidity anchor for much of the crypto economy. Its conservative approach prioritizes security and decentralization over aggressive throughput expansion. BlockDAG, by contrast, targets execution efficiency within the same EVM framework, offering developers a faster native alternative when Layer-2 complexity becomes a constraint.

This dynamic mirrors earlier shifts in blockchain design where new architectures complemented rather than displaced incumbents. By remaining EVM-compatible, BlockDAG aligns itself with existing tooling and developer knowledge while experimenting with different consensus and execution trade-offs. The result is a broader EVM landscape where performance characteristics vary by design rather than by auxiliary layers.

Final thoughts

Ethereum’s execution model set the standard for smart contract platforms, but its base-layer throughput remains limited, pushing scalability concerns into Layer-2 networks. BlockDAG reframes this challenge by integrating higher transaction capacity directly into Layer 1 while staying within the EVM ecosystem. 

With a claimed 1,400 TPS, significant presale traction exceeding $442 million, and a $0.003 current batch price ahead of its 26th January presale conclusion, BlockDAG positions itself as an execution-focused evolution rather than a replacement. As EVM workloads continue to grow, the contrast highlights a broader shift where speed becomes a first-layer design choice rather than an external dependency.

To learn more about BlockDAG, visit the website, Telegram, Discord or purchase.