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Investors are shifting focus as Bitcoin and Ethereum align with new high-utility crypto protocols.
Summary
- As BTC and ETH dominate the markets, investors will now focus on secure and utility-focused DeFi protocols in 2026.
- Mutuum Finance moves to phase 3, completing the audits carried out by Halborn and CertiK.
- Variable APY mtTokens reward lenders, providing passive yield as borrowing demand increases across the protocol.
Although the focus remains on the price action of major cryptocurrencies, a deeper shift is occurring in the background. Investors are increasingly interested in how “majors” like Bitcoin and Ethereum interact with high-performance utility protocols. This balance between established store-of-value assets and new functional financial tools defines the current market cycle.
Today’s alert covers key moves in the top three assets based on market interest and the rise of next-generation lending platforms. From Bitcoin’s defense of key support levels to Dogecoin’s community momentum, the ecosystem is diverse.
The crypto market today
The global market capitalization of cryptocurrencies currently remains at nearly $2.65 trillion. Market sentiment is cautiously optimistic as traders digest recent economic data and look ahead to the month ahead.
Although volatility remains a factor, the Fear and Greed Index shows a healthy level of accumulation. This suggests that the current price levels are seen as a consolidation phase rather than a top, allowing the market to build a stronger foundation for the next leg of upside.
Liquidity is also starting to evolve. Although Bitcoin dominance remains high, there is a visible trend towards Ethereum-based decentralized finance (DeFi) tools. This rotation is typical when the market is looking for “productive capital” – assets that can be loaned or staked to earn a return rather than sitting idle in a portfolio.
Bitcoin
Bitcoin is currently trading at around $67,600, maintaining its position as the market leader with a market cap of $1.32 trillion. After briefly touching the psychological barrier of $70,000 at the start of the week, the asset is experiencing a natural period of reflection. Analysts are closely watching the $67,000 support zone. As long as BTC remains above this level, the medium-term trend remains decidedly bullish.
Current price action is largely influenced by two factors: ETF inflows and macroeconomic data. Although the “risk-off” attitude ahead of the latest inflation reports has caused a slight decline, demand from institutional cash ETFs like BlackRock’s IBIT remains a powerful stabilizer. If Bitcoin can turn $69,500 resistance into support, the path to a new all-time high appears clear. For now, the focus is on “sideways” moves as the market strengthens.
Ethereum
Ethereum has shown remarkable resilience, successfully recovering and defending the $2,100 mark. Currently trading near $2,150, ETH is benefiting from the Ethereum Foundation’s renewed focus on the “Defipunk” initiative, which emphasizes privacy and security. With a market capitalization of over $250 billion, Ethereum continues to be the main driver of the DeFi sector, attracting investors who want to use their assets for lending and yield.
The next major hurdle for Ethereum is the $2,300 resistance zone. A breakout here would signal a change in the ETH/BTC ratio, potentially triggering a broader altcoin rally. The network’s evolution toward native “protected ETH” transfers and better L2 scaling have made it more attractive for institutional use. As more capital flows into Ethereum-based utility protocols, demand for the underlying ETH token as gas and collateral continues to grow.
Dogecoin
Dogecoin remains the king of the memecoin sector, currently trading around $0.091. While it lacks the institutional backing of BTC or the smart contract utility of ETH, the strength of its community is undeniable. DOGE saw a 7% increase over the past week, driven by social media sentiment and a general “risk-on” mood among retail traders. Its market capitalization is around $20 billion, keeping it firmly in the top 10 digital assets in the world.
Technically, Dogecoin is struggling to break through a strong resistance level at $0.15. He tested this area several times without any clear breakouts. Support currently sits at $0.13, which has held up well during recent market declines.
Although DOGE is often volatile, it serves as a sentiment indicator for the rest of the market. When Dogecoin rallies, it often indicates that retail investors feel confident and ready to explore higher-risk altcoins.
Mutual Finance
While the “majors” ensure market stability, new utility protocols are gaining ground. Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is an Ethereum-based lending and borrowing platform designed for the modern DeFi era. The project has raised over $20.6 million and built a community of over 19,000 investors, with the MUTM token currently priced at $0.04.
What sets Mutuum Finance apart is its commitment to transparency and security. The project is currently in phase 3 of its roadmap and has already undergone rigorous audits by Halborn and CertiK. This “security first” approach is essential in 2026, where investors are wary of unverified codes.
Loans and borrowings
The lending side of Mutuum Finance is designed to be simple and rewarding. When users contribute assets such as ETH, WBTC or USDT to the protocol, they receive mtTokens as a digital receipt. These are not static tokens; they are interest-bearing assets. As borrowers pay interest into the pool, the value of mtTokens increases, allowing lenders to earn passive yield.
The APY (Annual Percentage Yield) is variable, meaning it adjusts based on loan demand. For example, if many users want to borrow USDT, the APY for USDT lenders will increase. This ensures that the system remains balanced and that lenders are fairly compensated for their provision of liquidity. This “set it and forget it” model is ideal for long-term holders who want to grow their portfolios without active trading.
Borrowing on Mutuum Finance allows users to unlock the value of their crypto without selling it. This is done thanks to an over-guaranteed model. A user provides collateral – say $20,000 in ETH – and can borrow up to a certain loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. At 75% LTV, this user could access $15,000 in cash for real-world spending or other investments.
In addition to the loan yield, users who stake their mtTokens can receive dividends in MUTM tokens. According to the protocol model, a portion of the fees generated from platform activity is used to purchase MUTM tokens at the market price and distribute them to stakeholders. By linking platform fees to open market purchases of tokens, the mechanism can also help support market demand for tokens over time.
The V1 protocol
Mutuum Finance’s technical advances are currently visible through its V1 protocol on the Sepolia testnet. This working beta allows the community to test all of the platform’s features in a risk-free environment. With a total tracked market size of $162.21 million, the protocol demonstrates its ability to handle large-scale financial activity. Users can practice depositing, borrowing, and monitoring their health factors, to ensure they are ready for the official mainnet launch.
The crypto market today is a mix of established strength and emerging innovation. Bitcoin and Ethereum provide the necessary foundation of value and security, while Dogecoin keeps the retail community engaged. However, much of the growth is occurring in utility protocols.
Looking ahead to March 2026, the focus will remain on how these different sectors interact. For MUTM’s 19,000 investors and millions of BTC and ETH holders, the goal is the same: a secure, decentralized financial system that offers both stability and growth.
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