The BlockDAG ecosystem is accelerating toward a major milestone: the full activation of its testnet with live mining, enhanced blockchain performance, and early-stage NFT capabilities. This technical update outlines the latest advancements across core infrastructure, mining integration, and user-facing tools—designed to empower developers, miners, and token holders with a more robust and transparent experience.
Whether you're exploring decentralized networks, preparing to mine, or building on next-gen blockchain technology, BlockDAG is creating new opportunities for participation and innovation.
👉 Discover how decentralized mining is evolving in 2025
Key Highlights: What’s New in BlockDAG
Recent developments mark a pivotal phase in BlockDAG’s evolution:
- BEVM upgraded to Go-Ethereum v1.14.11 for improved compatibility and performance.
- Live mining enabled via a newly implemented Stratum server protocol.
- Explorer now features historical price analytics and token trend visualizations.
- NFT module R&D launched, setting the stage for on-chain NFT discovery.
- X1 and X10 miner hardware achieves stable integration with blockchain nodes.
These updates reflect a focused effort to enhance scalability, security, and usability as BlockDAG prepares for broader community engagement.
Why These Upgrades Matter
As decentralized networks grow, so do demands for speed, reliability, and accessibility. BlockDAG’s latest improvements are not just technical tweaks—they’re strategic steps toward a high-performance, inclusive ecosystem.
By aligning with Ethereum’s latest standards through the BEVM upgrade, BlockDAG ensures seamless integration with existing developer tools and smart contract environments. The introduction of live mining via Stratum opens the door for real-world hardware participation, while explorer enhancements provide deeper insights into token behavior and market trends.
Soon, the addition of NFT discovery will further expand use cases, supporting digital creators and collectors within a DAG-based architecture.
Core Blockchain Updates
BEVM Upgrade: Alignment with Ethereum Standards
The BlockDAG Ethereum Virtual Machine (BEVM) has been upgraded to support Go-Ethereum v1.14.11, bringing BlockDAG in line with one of the most widely used implementations in the Ethereum ecosystem.
This alignment improves:
- Compatibility with popular development frameworks like Hardhat and Truffle.
- Access to upstream performance optimizations and security patches.
- Easier deployment of Ethereum-compatible smart contracts.
Developers can now build and test dApps on BlockDAG with minimal configuration changes, reducing friction and accelerating adoption.
Addressing Sidechain Depth Challenges
During stress testing under high transaction volume, the network encountered an issue labeled “Sidechain depth too large.” This occurs when parallel processing leads to deep branching in the DAG structure, potentially affecting consensus stability.
While this remains an open issue, the team is actively investigating protocol-level adjustments—including optimized block propagation and pruning strategies—to maintain high throughput without compromising integrity.
WASM Transaction Validation
To strengthen security, a block sanity check has been implemented for WebAssembly (WASM)-based transactions. This ensures that only well-formed, non-malicious WASM code is accepted into blocks, protecting the network from potential exploits or state corruption.
Live Mining via Stratum Protocol
A foundational milestone has been reached: mining is now live through a fully integrated Stratum server protocol. This enables direct communication between blockchain nodes and mining hardware (X1 and X10 kits), allowing miners to contribute hash power and receive block rewards.
This implementation paves the way for decentralized participation and sets the stage for future proof-of-work incentives.
Upcoming: Blake2s Hash Algorithm Integration
Engineers are currently integrating the blake2s hashing algorithm into miner firmware. Known for its efficiency and low resource consumption, blake2s is ideal for lightweight devices like the X1 miner.
Once complete, this will:
- Improve energy efficiency.
- Broaden accessibility for low-power hardware.
- Enhance overall network decentralization.
👉 See how next-gen mining protocols are reshaping blockchain networks
Explorer Enhancements: Smarter Data, Better Insights
The BlockDAG Explorer is transforming into a comprehensive analytics dashboard for users and developers alike.
Token Analytics Module
A new token analytics chart module is now live, offering real-time insights into:
- Token distribution trends.
- Transaction volume fluctuations.
- Holder concentration metrics.
These visualizations help investors and analysts make informed decisions based on transparent, on-chain data.
Historical Price API
An API endpoint has been added to deliver historical price data, enabling third-party platforms and DApps to integrate accurate pricing trends. This feature supports:
- Portfolio tracking tools.
- Market prediction models.
- Automated trading bots.
It also strengthens trust by providing verifiable price history directly from the blockchain.
NFT Module: Research & Discovery Phase
BlockDAG has initiated R&D for an NFT module within the explorer. The goal is to enable:
- On-chain discovery of NFTs.
- Filtering by rarity, creator, or trading volume.
- Transparent provenance tracking.
This positions BlockDAG as a forward-thinking platform for digital ownership in a DAG environment.
X1 & X10 Miner Hardware Integration
Technical Workshop Outcomes
A recent deep-dive workshop between software and hardware teams resolved critical integration challenges between BlockDAG’s protocol and X1/X10 mining kits.
Key achievements include:
- Stable bidirectional communication between miners and nodes.
- Successful block mining using Stratum-connected devices.
- Verified data integrity during extended operation cycles.
This marks a major leap toward plug-and-play mining accessibility.
Next Steps for Hardware Optimization
Upcoming work includes:
- Stress testing under real-world network conditions.
- Collecting energy efficiency benchmarks.
- Optimizing firmware for mass deployment scenarios.
These efforts ensure that both hobbyist and professional miners can participate effectively.
Resolved Issues
- ✅ Mining functionality restored via Stratum server integration.
- ✅ WASM transaction validation added to prevent malformed data entry.
Open Challenges
- ⚠️ Sidechain depth overflow during high-load simulations—under active investigation.
- ⚙️ Blake2s hashing integration—in progress, expected soon.
Roadmap: What’s Coming Next
BlockDAG’s immediate focus includes:
- Finalizing blake2s algorithm support.
- Debugging and resolving sidechain depth issues.
- Launching front-end components for the NFT explorer.
- Conducting real-world miner benchmarking.
- Preparing for the next public testnet phase with full miner participation.
Long-term goals involve:
- Publishing public documentation and developer SDKs.
- Expanding community onboarding resources.
- Strengthening network resilience for large-scale adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is mining currently available to the public?
A: Yes—mining is live via the Stratum protocol. Registered users with X1 or X10 hardware can connect and begin mining during the testnet phase.
Q: What makes BlockDAG different from traditional blockchains?
A: BlockDAG uses a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) structure instead of a linear chain, enabling higher transaction throughput and faster confirmations while maintaining decentralization.
Q: Will NFTs be supported on the mainnet?
A: Yes—the current R&D phase lays the foundation for full NFT functionality at mainnet launch, including minting, trading, and discovery tools.
Q: How can I report bugs or contribute feedback?
A: The team welcomes community input. Reach out through official channels to share suggestions or report technical issues.
Q: Is BEVM fully compatible with Ethereum smart contracts?
A: With the Go-Ethereum v1.14.11 upgrade, BEVM supports most Ethereum-based smart contracts with minimal modifications required.
Q: What hardware do I need to mine BlockDAG tokens?
A: The X1 (entry-level) and X10 (pro-tier) miner kits are optimized for BlockDAG’s protocol. Support for additional devices may be introduced post-mainnet.
👉 Learn how to get started with decentralized mining today
Final Thoughts: Building the Future Together
This update represents more than code improvements—it reflects growing momentum toward a scalable, community-driven blockchain powered by real innovation.
With live mining active, explorer analytics expanding, and NFT research underway, BlockDAG is laying the groundwork for a next-generation decentralized infrastructure. The integration of X1/X10 miners demonstrates tangible progress in bridging software and hardware ecosystems.
Challenges like sidechain depth management are part of pushing technological boundaries. The team remains committed to transparency, rapid iteration, and open collaboration.
As we move toward wider testnet participation, your role becomes even more vital. Whether you're running a node, analyzing data, or preparing your miner—every action strengthens the network.
BlockDAG isn’t just building a blockchain. It’s building a movement—powered by you.