Story Protocol vs. BlockDAG: Will STORY Break $9 While BDAG Targets $1 After CEX Listings?

Story Protocol (STORY) has captured plenty of attention after a dramatic 100% surge in just seven days. Investors are buzzing, wondering if this momentum could push STORY toward its previous all-time high of $9—or even higher. Analysts suggest more gains could be on the table if the current market drivers keep fueling demand.

But in the background, another contender is stealing the spotlight. BlockDAG (BDAG) has built serious momentum. Its presale has already surpassed $205 million, selling 18.8 billion BDAG coins at $0.0248 in batch 27. As major exchange listings and its 2025 mainnet launch approach, growing numbers of buyers are betting on BDAG’s potential rise to $1—and beyond.

Story Protocol vs. BlockDAG: Will STORY Break $9 While BDAG Targets $1 After CEX Listings?

So, which of these two projects offers the better opportunity? Let’s take a closer look.

Story Protocol Price Prediction: Could Strong Momentum Take STORY Beyond $9?

Story Protocol ($IP) is riding a wave of optimism, defying broader market uncertainty with a 100% rally in just one week. It’s now boasting a $1.6 billion market cap, while trading volume has exploded 180%, hitting over $2.4 billion. These numbers place STORY among the most exciting AI-based cryptocurrencies on the market right now.

What’s behind the hype?

A new partnership with StabilityAI has added significant credibility and is driving adoption.
Story Protocol’s RWA platform, Aria, made headlines by acquiring and tokenizing part of the copyright for “The Truth Untold,” a popular BTS and Steve Aoki collaboration.
Aria’s IP catalog now includes over 90 music rights, securing Story Protocol’s role as a leader in blockchain-powered intellectual property.

As a result, investor confidence has soared. STORY has become one of the most talked-about tokens on social media. Crypto analyst XYOPepe predicts this rally isn’t done yet, with targets ranging between $10 and $12 if market conditions stay favorable.

Still, while Story Protocol has plenty of momentum, BlockDAG’s presale success and its roadmap suggest a longer-term opportunity that might be even harder to ignore.

BlockDAG’s Presale & the Road to $1: Why Buyers Are Piling In

While Story Protocol has caught headlines, BlockDAG (BDAG) is quietly building one of the strongest cases for funding in 2025. Its presale has already raised over $205 million, with 18.8 billion BDAG coins sold at $0.0248 in batch 27.

What makes BlockDAG different? It’s all about the technology. Unlike traditional blockchains that process transactions one after the other, BlockDAG’s Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG)-based design allows transactions to be processed in parallel. That’s a major upgrade when it comes to scalability and speed—two things legacy Layer 1s continue to struggle with.

Why BDAG Buyers Aren’t Waiting

1. Massive Presale Success & Growing Institutional Attention

With $205M+ raised and 18.8B BDAG already sold, BlockDAG’s presale is one of the largest in recent crypto history.
Now, whales are taking notice, and with major exchange listings around the corner, many are predicting a huge price breakout post-launch.

2. Scalability & Speed That Could Redefine Blockchain

BlockDAG leaves traditional blockchains like Ethereum and Cardano in the dust. By processing transactions in parallel, it eliminates congestion, supports instant finality, lowers fees, and delivers higher transaction throughput.

For many buyers, that’s the recipe for a next-generation Layer 1.

3. Testnet, Mainnet, & CEX Listings on the Horizon

BlockDAG’s testnet is slated for March 2025, followed by a full mainnet rollout later in the year.

With over 10 centralized exchange listings already confirmed, early buyers could see major returns when BDAG starts trading.

4. A $30M Developer Grants Program Fuels Ecosystem Growth

BlockDAG is securing heavily in its future. Its $30 million grants program is aimed at bringing in dApp, DeFi, and real-world use case projects.

Plus, partnerships with HackerEarth will bring in developers through hackathons, adding more firepower to BlockDAG’s network.

Can BlockDAG Realistically Hit $1 After Launch?

With demand surging and BlockDAG’s ecosystem expanding fast, a climb to $1 after listing looks increasingly achievable. Past examples like Solana and Avalanche show that high-profile presales, combined with strong fundamentals, can deliver explosive post-listing growth.

BlockDAG’s roadmap, which includes staking, governance, and Layer 1 enhancements, adds even more weight to the $1 prediction. For those who missed out on previous Layer 1 success stories, BDAG might offer a second chance.

Story Protocol or BlockDAG: Which Project Has More Upside?

Story Protocol’s recent gains and its tokenized IP platform are impressive, but the competition in AI and RWA spaces is fierce. While STORY could break past its $9 all-time high, its future gains will depend heavily on sustained market momentum.

BlockDAG, on the other hand, presents a lower entry point and a clearer path to growth. With $205M+ already raised, a powerful DAG-based blockchain, and exchange listings imminent, BDAG’s shot at hitting $1—and potentially beyond—makes it one of the most exciting plays for 2025.

For short-term traders, Story Protocol might offer quick wins. But for those seeking the next big breakout project, BlockDAG’s presale, mainnet launch, and aggressive expansion strategy make it a top contender.

The window to buy BDAG at presale prices won’t stay open forever. The only question now is—will you move before the next big price surge?