Ethereum has set a new record, reaching a price of $4,500 and attracting attention. While the excitement surrounding DeFi growth fuels investor interest, the question for those seeking to buy cryptocurrencies remains: Is speculation the key, or is backing projects already proving adoption more beneficial? 2023 has seen an impressive rise in Ethereum but this success relies heavily on expectations around scaling solutions that are yet to be fully deployed. However, BlockDAG (BDAG) presents a different approach. It stands out through tangible results with its Awakening Testnet live and processing transactions at 1,400 TPS. Furthermore, the project has secured a partnership with the BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team for global visibility. On the other hand, projects like Plasma (XPL) rely heavily on future promises of scalability that have yet to be fully materialized. XRP also faces regulatory hurdles as it hinges on the approval of an ETF – a factor that could significantly impact its price trajectory