Best Crypto to Buy Now: Is Mutuum Finance (MUTM) a Smarter Investment Than Ripple (XRP) in 2026?

As investors search for the best crypto to buy now in 2026, the debate is shifting from established names to high-upside newcomers. Ripple (XRP) remains one of the top assets by market capitalization. However, its growth potential may be more limited compared to emerging projects still in early stages. This has brought Mutuum Finance (MUTM) into focus, a DeFi-focused project gaining traction through its presale and most recent V1 protocol launch on the Sepolia testnet.

Ripple (XRP) Drifting Lower Within Descending Channel

Ripple (XRP) has started to drift lower and has been moving within a descending channel, indicating that the bears are still firmly in control of the market and the price. The support level at $1.81 has been holding up relatively well, and any further decline will result in Ripple (XRP) moving towards $1.61 if the price continues to be rejected at the 20-day EMA, which is currently at $1.97. Ripple (XRP) has been a market leader for a long time, with its potential for growth shrinking as investors seek out other cryptocurrencies to buy. One such cryptocurrency is Mutuum Finance (MUTM), which many experts are calling a top crypto to watch in 2026.

Presale Gains Give Early Investors a Head Start

The token began at $0.01 in Phase 1 and currently stands at $0.04 in Phase 7. It is expected to rise to $0.045 in Phase 8. If an investor invested $1,500 in the token at the current price, they would see their investment rise to $1,800 by the time the token reaches Phase 8. This would mean they would earn $300 before the token even reaches the trading platform.

For the launch, when the token is priced at $0.06, the investment will rise to $2,250. This would mean the investor would earn $750 before market-wide adoption. If we look at the long-term potential of the token, it is expected to rise by 20x. This would mean the $1,500 investment would rise to $30,000. These figures have shown the potential of MUTM as a DeFi crypto and one of the best cheap cryptocurrencies to invest in 2026, making it a strong candidate for the best crypto to buy now.

How DeFi Lending Works on Sepolia Testnet

Mutuum Finance has become more tangible with the launch of its V1 protocol. This is the first time users test out the protocol’s lending and borrowing. The first version will include key features such as:

• Liquidity pools 
• mtTokens, which are yield-bearing tokens within MUTM

• Debt tokens
• An automated liquidator bot
• Support for ETH, USDT, LINK, WBTC

In the Mutuum Finance liquidity pools, a user can deposit $5,000 in an asset like WBTC for attractive APYs between 8% and 12%. They can also commit an asset like ETH as collateral to access quick funds if they don’t want to sell their ETH position. This way they attend to their needs while still retaining their holdings. $7500 in ETH collateral could, for instance, unlock $5,000 in stablecoins.

Lenders are issued mtTokens, which are onchain representations of their deposits that grow in value as interest is accrued on them. Taking the example of a user who deposits $5,000 in WBTC during the testnet, they’ll receive $5,000 mtWBTC which accrues interest. On the other side, debt tokens record all loans on the blockchain, thereby making all borrowing positions transparent. Currently, the testnet supports 4 key assets, including USDT, ETH, LINK, and WBTC.

Incentives Boost Early Participation

To encourage participation in the presale, Mutuum Finance is offering incentives for those who participate in the event. Ten winners in the $100,000 giveaway event will receive $10,000 each, while the daily leaderboard rewards $500 to the top daily buyer. This ensures that MUTM is the best crypto to buy and invest in for 2026. 

When deciding on the best crypto to buy now for 2026, there are only two options: stability or explosive growth. Although Ripple (XRP) is a great choice for its stability, Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is the better choice for its potential for explosive growth. Currently priced at $0.04 in its presale and having already offered significant returns for early investors, MUTM is the better choice for those looking for a tangible product.

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

Website: https://mutuum.com/ 
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance