Best Crypto to Buy Now for Long-Term Growth? Early SHIB and AVAX Investors Watch This $0.035 DeFi Coin

Markets tend to reward patience when a project shows steady progress before the wider crowd notices. As attention shifts from short-term moves to long-term positioning, some investors who benefited from earlier cycles are scanning for the next setup that combines early timing with real development. That shift is becoming visible again, with a growing focus on a DeFi project priced at $0.035 as 2026 comes into view.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) 

Shiba Inu (SHIB) became one of the most recognizable tokens of its cycle. Its early surge was driven by community growth, exchange listings, and rapid inflows that pushed its market cap into the billions. Early SHIB holders saw outsized returns in a short period, which turned the token into a benchmark example of how fast attention can translate into price movement.

Over time, SHIB’s position changed. A very large market cap brought stability, but it also limited how fast the token could move. While SHIB remains widely held and actively traded, its early acceleration phase is no longer repeatable at the same scale. For many early participants, SHIB now represents a completed growth chapter rather than an open one. That realization often prompts a search for projects that resemble SHIB’s early stage rather than its current state.

Avalanche (AVAX)

Avalanche (AVAX) followed a different path, but the pattern is familiar. AVAX gained attention as a high-performance Layer-1 network with strong developer adoption. Its early surge came as applications launched, liquidity expanded, and its ecosystem narrative strengthened. Early investors benefited from that rapid expansion as AVAX moved into a large market-cap asset.

Today, AVAX occupies a mature position. Its market cap reflects years of growth and adoption. Price movement is steadier, and large gains require broad market participation. For many early AVAX holders, the focus has shifted from exponential upside to long-term holding. As with SHIB, this transition encourages some to look for projects that are earlier in their lifecycle, where adoption curves are still forming.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM) 

Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is increasingly mentioned in these discussions. It is building a DeFi crypto lending and borrowing protocol designed around real usage rather than narrative cycles. The platform focuses on predictable mechanics and transparent incentives, which appeals to investors who prefer structure over hype.

Mutuum Finance has already attracted significant participation. The project has raised $19.30M and brought in more than 18,400 holders. The token trades at $0.035 and is currently in Phase 6, which is now over 98% allocated. These figures suggest growing interest at a stage where many projects are still trying to define their direction.

At a high level, Mutuum Finance is building a dual lending system. Users can supply assets to earn yield, while borrowers access liquidity under defined rules. Yield flows are tied to borrowing activity, and risk is managed through clear collateral parameters. This functional focus is one reason long-term investors are paying attention.

Why Early SHIB and AVAX Investors Are Watching MUTM

Investors who entered SHIB and AVAX early often look for familiar signals. In those earlier cycles, a few factors mattered most: early timing, expanding participation, and visible progress toward live usage. Many believe Mutuum Finance is beginning to show a similar alignment.

First, MUTM is still early. Its price reflects an early-stage position rather than a mature valuation. Second, participation is expanding steadily rather than arriving in short bursts. Third, the roadmap is clear. Mutuum Finance confirmed through its official X statement that V1 will launch on the Sepolia Testnet in Q4 2025. This release includes the Liquidity Pool, mtToken framework, Debt Token, and Liquidator Bot, with ETH and USDT as the first supported assets.

For early SHIB and AVAX investors, this moment feels familiar. It resembles the phase when infrastructure was nearly ready, but broader awareness had not yet peaked. That is often when long-term positioning begins.

Participation Signals That Reinforce Momentum

Beyond allocation progress, Mutuum Finance shows other signs of engagement. The project runs a 24-hour leaderboard that rewards the top daily contributor with $500 in MUTM. This keeps activity consistent and visible, even as allocation tightens.

Security preparation also adds confidence. Mutuum Finance completed a CertiK audit with a 90/100 Token Scan score. Halborn Security is reviewing the finalized smart contracts, and a $50K bug bounty is active to identify vulnerabilities early. For a DeFi protocol preparing for live usage, these steps matter. They reduce uncertainty at the point when users begin interacting with real mechanics.

Phase 6 being over 98% allocated is another key signal. As availability narrows, attention often increases. Historically, this is when interest accelerates rather than fades, especially when a confirmed launch window is in place.

Why the Timing Matters Going Into 2026

As 2026 approaches, many investors reassess where each asset sits in its lifecycle. SHIB and AVAX are established. Their major expansion phases already occurred. Mutuum Finance is approaching its transition from preparation into usage.

That transition is often where valuation frameworks change. Instead of being priced only on expectations, a project begins to be evaluated on participation, yield demand, and real activity. With V1 scheduled for Q4 2025, Mutuum Finance enters that window at a time when long-term capital is actively looking ahead.

Early SHIB and AVAX investors understand how quickly conditions can change once adoption and attention align. They also understand that those conditions do not repeat at the same scale once a project matures. Mutuum Finance is now drawing interest because it sits before that expansion, not after it.

With $19.30M raised, 18,400 holders, Phase 6 over 98% allocated, active security reviews, and a confirmed V1 timeline, MUTM is moving into a phase that many long-term investors recognize. For those building a watchlist of top crypto investments opportunities ahead of 2026, Mutuum Finance is increasingly part of that conversation.

For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below:

Website: https://www.mutuum.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance