Investors Shift to Utility-Driven MUTM as SHIB Stalls in October

Source: [1] Shiba Inu (SHIB) Predicted to Stall as Attention in October Shifts to Utility Cryptos Like $0.035 Mutuum Finance (MUTM) (https://www.cryptopolitan.com/shiba-inu-shib-predicted-to-stall-as-attention-in-october-shifts-to-utility-cryptos-like-0-035-mutuum-finance-mutm/)

Shiba Inu (SHIB), a prominent meme coin from the previous bull cycle, is showing signs of waning momentum as October 2025 unfolds. Analysts attribute this to the token's limited utility and gradual ecosystem development, which are failing to retain investor interest amid a broader market shift toward utility-driven projects. Meanwhile, Mutuum Finance (MUTM), a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol, is gaining traction as a high-utility alternative, with its presale raising over $16.85 million in Stage 6 and attracting 16,770 participants.

On-chain data reveals growing sell pressure for SHIB, with 284 billion tokens transferred to exchanges in the past 24 hours, signaling potential short-term price weakness. Despite a recent short-lived rally, the token faces strong resistance levels, and exchange reserves have risen, indicating holders may prioritize selling over accumulation. This trend aligns with broader market sentiment, where investors are increasingly favoring projects offering tangible use cases over speculative assets.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM), priced at $0.035, is emerging as a focal point for capital inflows. The protocol's Stage 6 presale has already sold over 60% of its allocation, reflecting robust demand. Mutuum's lending and borrowing platform, set to launch on the Sepolia Testnet in Q4 2025, includes features such as liquidity pools, mtTokens, and dynamic liquidation ratios. These tools aim to enhance risk management and scalability, positioning MUTM as a competitive DeFi solution. The project's emphasis on collateral efficiency and low insolvency risk further strengthens its appeal to institutional and retail investors seeking sustainable growth.

Analysts highlight the broader market's rotation toward utility-based tokens as a key driver of MUTM's rise. While SHIB's ecosystem has seen incremental improvements with Shibarium, its lack of concrete real-world applications continues to hinder long-term adoption. In contrast, MUTM's structured approach to decentralized finance-enabling ETH and USDT-based lending, borrowing, and collateralization-addresses critical gaps in the DeFi space. This differentiation is attracting capital from investors disillusioned with meme coins, particularly as MUTM's presale demonstrates strong whale participation and liquidity potential.

The October 2025 market dynamics underscore a strategic shift in investor priorities. SHIB's stagnation, despite its large community, highlights the limitations of meme-driven narratives in a maturing crypto landscape. Conversely, MUTM's focus on functional DeFi infrastructure aligns with growing demand for projects that deliver immediate value. As the protocol advances its testnet deployment and expands its feature set, it is poised to capture a significant share of capital reallocating from speculative assets to utility-focused initiatives.