Investors Abandon ADA for Mutuum’s High-Yield DeFi Revolution

Cardano (ADA) has experienced a decline in momentum, with the token trading below $1 and facing challenges in maintaining upward movement. Despite ongoing development efforts, including the highly anticipated Leios upgrade, ADA has struggled to regain strength. Charles Hoskinson, founder and CEO of Cardano’s technical arm Input Output (IOG), has emphasized the urgency of the Leios upgrade, describing it as the most critical program for the network. To accelerate progress, IOG has implemented a 24/7 “follow-the-sun” development model, with teams across different time zones working in shifts to ensure continuous development of the upgrade. This model has been supported by strict enforcement, with any resistance met by reassignment or termination of personnel. According to Hoskinson, this approach is essential to ensure Cardano remains competitive with other high-performance blockchains like Solana and Ethereum [1].

Meanwhile, DeFi projects are gaining traction, particularly among investors seeking high-growth opportunities. One such project is Mutuum Finance (MUTM), a decentralized lending protocol currently in its presale stage. MUTM is drawing significant attention due to its dual lending model, which includes both Peer-to-Contract (P2C) and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) structures. In the P2C model, lenders deposit assets into pools and receive mtTokens, which accrue interest over time and can be staked for additional MUTM rewards. The P2P model allows borrowers and lenders to negotiate fixed or variable interest rates, providing flexibility for different risk profiles. This approach is seen as a key differentiator, offering both liquidity and capital efficiency to users [4].

The presale of MUTM has already attracted over 16,000 holders and raised more than $15.4 million. Investors who entered at the earliest stage, when MUTM was priced at $0.01, are already seeing returns of approximately 300%. As the project progresses through its phases, the token price is set to increase, reaching $0.06 at launch. Analysts have projected that MUTM could deliver exponential returns, with short-term targets reaching up to $0.70 and mid-term estimates suggesting a potential price of $1.20. These projections are based on early adoption, increasing liquidity, and the project’s robust utility model [2].

Security is a major focus for Mutuum Finance. The project has undergone a CertiK audit, scoring 95 out of 100, one of the highest scores for a new DeFi protocol. Additionally, Mutuum Finance has launched a $50,000 bug bounty program to incentivize security researchers to identify and report vulnerabilities before the platform’s full deployment. The project also plans to introduce an overcollateralized stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar, further enhancing its credibility and utility within the DeFi ecosystem [3].

While Cardano and other large-cap cryptocurrencies offer stability and established infrastructure, investors are increasingly shifting their focus to smaller, high-potential DeFi projects like Mutuum Finance. Unlike ADA and AVAX, which are already well-established and priced accordingly, MUTM provides an early entry point at a low valuation. The presale model allows investors to participate before the token is listed on exchanges, potentially capturing significant appreciation. Additionally, the platform’s launch will coincide with the release of its beta version, enabling immediate lending and borrowing activities [4].

As the fourth quarter of 2025 approaches, the DeFi sector is showing signs of growth, with projects like Mutuum Finance gaining traction and investor confidence. While Cardano continues to focus on its long-term development and Leios upgrade, the DeFi space is increasingly being driven by projects that combine innovative lending models, strong utility, and early-stage accessibility. With a growing number of presale participants and a robust roadmap, MUTM is positioned to outperform many of its larger counterparts in the coming months [3].

Source:

[1] Cardano Founder Announces New 24/7 Development (https://thecryptobasic.com/2025/09/08/cardano-founder-announces-new-24-7-development-model-to-accelerate-leios-progress/)

[2] Over 16000 Investors Have Already Backed Mutuum (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1102012-20250907)

[3] Cardano (ADA) to Chase for New ATHs in Q4, But This (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1093921-20250904)

[4] Best Crypto to Invest in Right Now? Why Mutuum Finance (https://coinpedia.org/press-release/why-mutuum-finance-mutm-is-tipped-to-outperform-ada-and-avax/)