Ethereum News Today: Whales Shift Focus to Utility-Driven RTX as Meme Coins Lose Luster

PEPE, SHIB, and BONK have remained in the spotlight for many retail crypto investors, but emerging altcoins are beginning to attract the attention of larger players and whale investors seeking substantial returns. In parallel, tokens like RTX are gaining traction not just for speculative appeal but for their real-world utility in cross-border transactions and decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure.

Among the meme coins, Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Pepe (PEPE) have seen mixed performance. SHIB, which once saw massive speculative gains, is now struggling to regain its former momentum. Analysts suggest that SHIB might only see a 10x return by 2026, a figure that has left many investors disillusioned [3]. Meanwhile, PEPE has found itself in a different race, competing with a newer contender known as Little Pepe ($LILPEPE). While the latter is still in its presale stage, it has already raised $23 million, drawing significant interest from investors eager to secure early positions [3].

BONK, a Solana-based token, also remains relevant due to its strong network and growing community, but it has yet to demonstrate the kind of utility or infrastructure that could secure it a place among the top-tier altcoins. In contrast, tokens like RTX are gaining favor among more seasoned investors who prioritize long-term value creation and practical use cases [1]. RTX, the token of the cross-border payment platform Remittix, has already raised over $23.7 million in its presale, with more than 642 million tokens sold. The project is also preparing to launch a beta wallet in Q3 2025, which will support real-time fiat conversion and cross-border transfers in over 30 countries [4].

What sets RTX apart from other altcoins is its deflationary tokenomics and its strategic move to list on centralized exchanges such as BitMart and LBANK. These developments have contributed to growing investor confidence and improved liquidity for the token. In an industry where hype often outpaces utility, RTX's approach—focusing on real-world adoption and infrastructure—has positioned it as a strong candidate for long-term growth [4].

While RTX and other utility-driven projects are attracting whale investors, retail investors continue to debate the viability of holding meme coins like PEPE and SHIB. Some are starting to question whether the value of these tokens will ever align with their initial speculative highs. With a growing number of investors considering a shift towards more established assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), the market is witnessing a broader reassessment of risk and reward profiles [2].

The ongoing competition among these altcoins highlights a key trend in the crypto space: the increasing emphasis on utility, security, and real-world application. Projects that can demonstrate clear, scalable use cases—like RTX’s cross-border payment solution—are likely to outperform those that rely solely on viral appeal or market sentiment. As the crypto market continues to mature, the distinction between speculative and utility-driven assets will become even more critical for investors seeking long-term value [1].

Source:

[1] Mitrade Insights (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1085088-20250901)

[2] Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/CryptoCurrency/comments/1n7h3g4/are_you_guys_still_holding_coins_like_pepe_doge/)

[3] OneSafe (https://www.onesafe.io/blog/shiba-inu-vs-little-pepe-coin)

[4] Crypto Economy (https://crypto-economy.com/best-crypto-to-buy-now-experts-rank-remittix-ahead-of-ethereum-solana-and-xrp-for-maximum-gains/)