Bitcoin News Today: Bitwise CIO Declares Four-Year Crypto Cycle Obsolete as Institutional Inflows Surge 35% and Altcoins Gain Traction

Bitwise Asset Management’s Chief Investment Officer, Matt Hougan, has declared the traditional four-year crypto cycle—historically tied to Bitcoin’s price surges and halving events—obsolete, signaling a structural shift in the cryptocurrency market [1]. This transformation, Hougan argues, is driven by institutional adoption, regulatory clarity, and evolving investment strategies. Institutional inflows have surged by 35%, reshaping market dynamics as corporations and ETFs now dominate price movements over retail-driven speculation [2]. The departure from cyclical volatility has prompted investors to seek alternative cryptocurrencies with tangible utility and long-term growth potential, rather than relying on Bitcoin’s historical patterns.

Among the altcoins gaining attention is Mutuum Finance (MUTM), a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol advancing through its presale phase. Currently in phase 6, Mutuum has raised $13.7 million by selling 655 million tokens at $0.035 each, attracting 14,500 investors. The token’s price has already increased 250% since its initial $0.01 offering in phase 1, with a further 14.3% rise anticipated in phase 7, and a projected launch price of $0.06, offering early buyers a 71% return [3]. Analysts forecast MUTM could reach $3 by 2025, representing an 8,500% return on investment [4].

Mutuum Finance’s innovative dual-model DeFi lending system combines peer-to-contract and peer-to-peer mechanisms. The peer-to-contract model automates lending via smart contracts, adjusting interest rates dynamically to market conditions, while the peer-to-peer approach facilitates direct transactions for volatile assets. These systems enhance transparency and customization, surpassing traditional centralized platforms. A recent CertiK audit confirmed the project’s security, with a 95.00 score and no critical vulnerabilities in its smart contracts [5]. Additionally, a $50,000 USDT bug bounty program, partnered with CertiK, rewards users for identifying security issues across severity tiers.

The protocol’s infrastructure extends to a USD-pegged stablecoin built on Ethereum, designed to minimize depegging risks compared to algorithmic alternatives. This stablecoin supports peer-to-contract agreements and staking collateral without exposing users to price volatility. Mutuum is also developing Layer 2 solutions to reduce gas fees and improve transaction speeds, preparing the platform for global adoption [6]. A $100,000 MUTM giveaway, requiring a $50 minimum presale investment and quest participation, further boosts engagement.

For long-term investors, Mutuum Finance’s mtToken system offers tokenized assets that accrue interest and enable trading within the platform. Token buybacks fuel staking rewards, prioritizing efficiency and accessibility over Bitcoin and Ethereum’s scalability challenges. Institutional confidence in crypto’s utility, rather than speculative cycles, positions Mutuum as a strategic play in the evolving market.

The end of the four-year cycle underscores a broader trend: institutional capital is reshaping crypto’s identity, favoring custody products and data-driven strategies over retail-driven volatility. While Bitcoin’s role as a store of value has solidified, altcoin performance now hinges on individual project fundamentals. For investors seeking exposure to altcoins, projects like Mutuum Finance—backed by audited infrastructure and scalable solutions—present compelling opportunities in an era defined by regulatory progress and macroeconomic stability [7].

Sources:

[1] [title: Bitcoin’s ETF Era May Have Killed the Hype Cycles for Good] [url: https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6885ebb804724b2d1e08a978/]

[2] [title: The Bitcoin Cycle Theory Is Dead, CryptoQuant's Ki Young ...] [url: https://www.livebitcoinnews.com/112968-2-bitcoin/]

[3] [title: Bitwise CIO Declares “Four-Year Crypto Cycle Is Dead”] [url: https://cryptonews.com/news/bitwise-cio-declares-four-year-crypto-cycle-is-dead-is-a-steady-record-breaking-boom-next/]

[4] [title: Bitwise CIO Declares End of Crypto's Four-Year Cycle] [url: https://www.altcoinbuzz.io/cryptocurrency-news/bitwise-cio-declares-end-of-cryptos-four-year-cycle/]

[5] [title: The Bitcoin Cycle Theory Is Dead, CryptoQuant's Ki Young ...] [url: https://www.livebitcoinnews.com/112968-2-bitcoin/]

[6] [title: Firm - Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan Says Four-Year Cycle Is ...] [url: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1141****07984470&set=a.1051970000296055&type=3]

[7] [title: Bitwise CIO Bets on Bitcoin Rally in 2026, Defying 4-Year ...] [url: https://cryptonews.com/news/bitwise-cio-bets-on-bitcoin-rally-in-2026-defying-4-year-cycle/]