Cardano Falls 7–12% as Mutuum Finance Gains DeFi Momentum

Cardano (ADA) has seen a 7–12% drop in value over the past week, trading at approximately $0.74 as of August 18, 2025, underperforming the broader crypto market's 2.8% decline [1]. This decline aligns with a broader sell-off driven by macroeconomic concerns, including heightened US-China trade tensions, a weaker-than-expected US jobs report, and renewed speculation around Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs [1]. Despite a 6.5% increase in total value locked (TVL) to $340.3 million, largely attributed to protocols like Minswap, ADA remains under pressure from whale sell-offs, with 390 million tokens moving out of mid-sized wallets [1].

Technical indicators for ADA show a bearish MACD and a relative strength index (RSI) at 40, suggesting continued downward momentum [1]. Key support is currently at $0.70, while resistance lies at $0.78. A break below $0.70 could test the next support level at $0.65. Long-term optimism for ADA remains tied to the upcoming Plomin hard fork and a $71 million treasury allocation, but near-term volatility persists [1].

Amid ADA's struggles, Mutuum Finance (MUTM), a decentralized finance (DeFi) project, has emerged as a potential alternative. Priced at $0.035 in Phase 6 of its presale, MUTM is being positioned as a more resilient and innovative choice [1]. The project has raised $14.63 million so far, with 22% of Phase 6 tokens sold and over 15,450 holders participating. The token is scheduled to rise to $0.04 in Phase 7, signaling a 15% increase in value [1].

Mutuum Finance operates on a decentralized, non-custodial model, supporting both peer-to-contract (P2C) and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending. For example, an investor depositing $20,000 worth of ETH in the P2C model can earn an annual percentage yield (APY) of 14%, equivalent to $2,800 in passive income yearly. On the borrowing side, a user collateralizing $8,000 in SOL can borrow $5,600 in USDT at a 70% loan-to-value ratio, maintaining exposure to future price growth [1].

MUTM’s P2P model further enhances flexibility, allowing direct lending agreements such as a 30% APY on a $3,000 DOGE loan. These features distinguish MUTM from traditional finance and older blockchain networks, where liquidity options are often limited [1]. The project has also undergone a CertiK audit, achieving a Token Scan score of 95 and a Skynet score of 78, which are indicative of strong security and reliability [1]. To reinforce transparency, MUTM has launched a $50,000 bug bounty program, rewarding ethical hackers for critical vulnerabilities [1].

Looking ahead, the project’s roadmap suggests continued development and expansion. Upon the conclusion of the presale, MUTM is expected to list at $0.06, providing early investors with significant paper gains. Analysts project the token could reach $0.30, representing a 5× increase from its initial price [1]. These expectations are linked to the anticipated beta launch, potential listings on major exchanges like Binance and KuCoin, and a revenue-driven buyback mechanism designed to return value to the ecosystem [1].

As Cardano grapples with market corrections, Mutuum Finance is capitalizing on active development and growing utility in the DeFi space. The project’s focus on practical lending solutions, supported by strong incentives and security measures, positions it as a compelling alternative for investors seeking both growth and real-world use cases [1]. With the presale still ongoing at $0.035 and a clear path toward exchange listings, MUTM is increasingly being discussed as a better long-term option compared to ADA [1].

Source: [1]Cardano drops 7–12% weekly while this $0.035 coin touted as better ADA alt (https://invezz.com/news/2025/08/19/cardano-drops-7-12-weekly-while-this-0-035-coin-touted-as-better-ada-alt/)