The market in 2025 is moving fast, and the top performers aren't just familiar names anymore.

BlockDAG, NEAR Protocol, Bittensor (TAO), and Internet Computer (ICP) are pulling ahead with real activity behind them.

The crypto market in 2025 is moving fast, and the top performers aren’t just familiar names anymore. Fresh momentum is building around new and upgraded networks that are delivering on performance, real usage, and strong buyer demand.

If you’re checking in to see what the best crypto right now is, it’s not just about price, it’s about where the traction is. Across infrastructure, privacy, AI, and speed, several cryptos are pulling ahead with real activity behind them. This article spotlights four of them: BlockDAG, NEAR Protocol, Bittensor (TAO), and Internet Computer (ICP). Each brings something different to the table, but they’re all making news, getting attention, and offering strong setups for short-term and long-term gains.

1. BlockDAG: Massive Presale and Growing Ecosystem

BlockDAG is getting strong attention for how it’s combining a DAG-based structure with proof-of-work to build a fast and secure Layer 1 network. Instead of waiting for a full mainnet launch, BlockDAG has already released its X1 Miner app, which has more than 1 million users actively mining BDAG coins. This puts it ahead of most presale networks in terms of community participation. The architecture allows for multiple blocks to be confirmed at once, solving speed and congestion issues that many older chains still struggle with. This technical foundation, combined with real usage, is helping it stand out.

The project has now raised over $265 million, making it one of the most funded presales in recent memory. The mainnet is scheduled for release after presale, with confirmed plans to list on 20 centralized exchanges. The momentum isn’t just coming from marketing, it’s coming from consistent delivery, including product rollouts, tech upgrades, and growing user engagement. That’s why many now consider BlockDAG the best crypto right now among early-stage networks. It has a clear launch plan, real products already in use, and an a ctive, growing community. Buyers entering now are not speculating on potential, they’re participating in a network that’s already showing how it will operate at scale.

2. NEAR Protocol: Speed Boost Brings DeFi Closer

NEAR Protocol just made a serious performance upgrade. Block times are now at 600 milliseconds, and finality clocks in at 1.2 seconds. That’s a massive jump and puts NEAR among the fastest L1 chains available today. This isn’t just for show, it’s designed to open the door for more complex DeFi apps, which need both low latency and instant confirmations to function well. At the time of writing, NEAR is trading around $2.90 with projections showing a short-term push to $3.09 by May 25.

These network improvements are making NEAR more useful, and that’s what’s pulling buyers in. Faster confirmation means better performance for users and developers. It’s another reason why NEAR is being talked about as one of the best crypto right now for those watching infrastructure plays. While other L1s are still working through congestion and scaling issues, NEAR has flipped the script and delivered a real-time performance win that’s already influencing its price action.

3. Bittensor (TAO): Whale Activity Signals Growth

Bittensor is focused on creating a decentralized machine-learning network, but lately it’s been catching headlines for price action and whale moves. TAO is trading around $421.95 as of May 24 and could climb to $546.72 by May 25, based on multiple analyst predictions. Institutional activity is helping too, Safello, a crypto investment firm, increased its TAO holdings by over 229 tokens just this past week. That kind of accumulation doesn’t go unnoticed.

The market is treating TAO seriously, with indicators pointing toward a near-term push to the $500 level. With both tech and price working in its favor, Bittensor is solidifying its position among the best crypto right now. It’s one of the few AI-based tokens with real momentum, backed by upgrades and buyer activity, not just promises. For those betting on AI infrastructure to play a big role in Web3’s next evolution, TAO is proving it’s one to track closely.

4. Internet Computer (ICP): Bitcoin Integration on the Horizon

Internet Computer (ICP) is back in the spotlight due to upcoming integrations that could shift its long-term potential. As of May 2025, it’s trading near $5.00. However, predictions for June suggest a short-term dip to $2.97. Despite that, buzz around a major announcement expected from LiquidiumFi at the Bitcoin Vegas conference is keeping the excitement alive. The news hints at deeper integration of ICP with Bitcoin infrastructure, something that could dramatically expand