Best Long-Term Cryptos: BlockDAG $376M Presale, BNB Near $1,000, ADA at $1, & XLM’s DeFi!

The crypto market in Q3 is set to be one of the most competitive periods yet, but a handful of projects are moving ahead with strong fundamentals, dedicated communities, and clear growth potential. Attention is turning toward coins that can deliver more than short bursts of hype.

The focus is on those with market demand, technological strength, and credible exchange strategies. These qualities give them the power to deliver consistent value through both near-term gains and longer-term adoption.

In this list, we highlight four projects: BlockDAG (BDAG), BNB, Cardano, and Stellar. Each has a unique driver, but all share momentum that positions them among the best long-term cryptos to watch closely this year.

1. BlockDAG (BDAG): Prepares for a Powerful Market Debut

BlockDAG has risen as one of the most closely watched projects of 2025, driven by its hybrid Layer 1 blockchain that merges Directed Acyclic Graph architecture with Proof of Work security and full EVM compatibility. This structure delivers speed, scalability, and support for complex smart contracts, making it a strong competitor in a market where efficiency and security are critical.

The presale has already surpassed $376 million in funding, with more than 25.3 billion coins sold for $0.0276 in Batch 29. Early buyers from the first batch have already recorded gains near 2,660%, while participants in the current stage could see an 81% increase at the $0.05 listing price. With 20 exchange listings confirmed and active efforts to secure Coinbase and Gemini, the project is preparing for a launch that could capture major attention.

Adoption is already evident before the mainnet goes live. The X1 Mobile Miner app has drawn 2.5 million active users, over 200,000 holders are engaged, and more than 4,500 developers are building 300 decentralized applications. Combined with a Demo Trading platform to onboard users, BlockDAG is proving its traction early and is positioning itself as one of the best long-term cryptos to watch closely in 2025.

2. BNB: Secures Strength Through Institutional Backing

BNB is trading around $858 to $863, maintaining a market cap near $120 billion and a daily volume of $3.6 billion. Institutional buying has been a major force, with corporate acquisitions of large BNB allocations driving momentum. The BNB Chain’s ecosystem value has also climbed to $242.8 billion, boosted by a surge of more than 1,500% in real-world asset tokenization during the past month.

Technically, BNB is holding above $800 support while analysts point to near-term targets of $950 to $1,000 and potentially $1,225 if bullish momentum continues. With more than 81% dominance in the exchange token sector and growing partnerships with global banks, BNB combines liquidity, stability, and trust. These factors keep it firmly positioned among the best long-term cryptos heading into 2025.

3. Cardano (ADA): Builds Momentum With ETF Buzz and Upgrades

Cardano is trading around $1.003 after breaking out to a five-month high, driven by Grayscale’s spot ETF filing and a $71 million funding package approved by the community. These funds are fueling upgrades focused on Hydra, which improves scaling, and Ouroboros Leios, aimed at boosting consensus performance. This combination has shifted sentiment, placing ADA in the spotlight as a project with renewed energy.

Analysts now see short-term targets between $1.05 and $1.10, with longer-term potential as high as $1.50 if momentum holds. Cardano’s involvement in real-world asset tokenization expands its utility well beyond DeFi, while the ETF news adds institutional weight. With strong technical setups and meaningful ecosystem progress, Cardano is establishing itself as one of the best long-term cryptos for those seeking stability and growth.

4. Stellar (XLM): Advances With Ecosystem Growth and Protocol 23

Stellar is trading near $0.453 after a run to $0.465, consolidating while forming bullish chart patterns like a falling wedge breakout and a bullish pennant. Forecasts point to $0.487 by the end of August, with potential gains up to $0.63 if breakout conditions align. This technical backdrop has raised expectations of significant upside in the months ahead.

Ecosystem growth is also accelerating. Stellar’s DeFi total value locked has reached $152 million, up 80% since July, while its user base now exceeds 9.69 million accounts with thousands of new addresses added daily. The upcoming Protocol 23 upgrade on September 3 will improve efficiency and reduce costs. With both on-chain expansion and technical catalysts at play, Stellar is increasingly viewed as one of the best long-term cryptos to watch in 2025.

In Summary

2025 is shaping up as a defining year for projects that bring together strong fundamentals and clear growth catalysts. BlockDAG is leading with its record presale, a rapidly expanding community, and targeted exchange listings. BNB is proving its resilience through institutional demand and an expanding ecosystem, while Cardano is breaking resistance levels with major upgrades and ETF anticipation. Stellar is also securing a stronger role in DeFi and preparing for its next protocol milestone.

Each project offers a unique approach to growth, but they all point toward significant upside ahead. For those assessing the best long-term cryptos, BlockDAG, BNB, Cardano, and Stellar represent high-priority names to keep in focus as the market builds toward its next major cycle.