What Is the SUI Ecosystem? Exploring the Future of Layer-1 Blockchain Technology

9 min readApr 29, 2025

TL;DR

Sui is a fast and affordable blockchain designed for easy Web3 applications, such as DeFi, gaming, and NFTs.
The SUI token is used for fees, staking, voting, and powering apps.
Sui’s ecosystem is booming with DeFi, NFT projects, and blockchain games.
A future SUI ETF could offer a simple way to invest in Sui’s growing ecosystem.

Introduction

Sui Network is a leading Layer-1 blockchain in the blockchain space. Layer-1 blockchains support innovations in authorship by decentralized applications (DApps), which are emerging as solutions for various industries, including finance, gaming, and the digital world. From the new ecosystems, there is a clear rising star known as the Sui Network, a next-generation Layer-1 blockchain developed to solve the problems facing Web3, including speed, cost, and accessibility. Using a new technology approach, Sui is gaining resurgence among developers, investors, and anyone interested in cryptography.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into Sui’s technology, ecosystem, tokenomics, and even explore the idea of a SUI ETF as an investment opportunity. Whether you’re a crypto newbie or a seasoned investor, this guide will break it all down in simple terms.

Understanding the SUI Blockchain

Sui is a Layer-1 blockchain, which means it operates independently of other chains to conduct transactions and execute smart contracts. Sui is designed for efficiency, in contrast to earlier blockchains that may become slowed down by expensive fees or sluggish speeds. Designed to process thousands of digital transactions per second with little delay, it functions similarly to a superhighway.

What makes Sui special? It starts by using an object-centric data model. Sui handles all data tokens, NFTs, or smart contracts as distinct “objects” with specific owners, rather than grouping them by user accounts (like Ethereum). Parallel transaction processing is made possible by this configuration, which increases performance and scalability by handling unrelated transactions concurrently. Second, the Move programming language, which is safe and easy for developers to use, is used to write Sui’s smart contracts. Third, unlike many blockchains, it uses a Byzantine Consistent Broadcast mechanism, which allows for quick and lightweight consensus for specific transactions.

Compared to competitors like Ethereum, Solana, or Aptos, Sui stands out for its focus on user experience. Features like zkLogin let users sign in with familiar web credentials (no seed phrases needed), while sponsored transactions allow developers to cover gas fees for users. These make Sui more accessible, especially for non-crypto natives. While Ethereum struggles with high fees, Solana prioritizes raw speed. Sui balances performance with usability, positioning it as a strong contender in the Web3 race. (Coingecko, 2025)

The Technology Behind Sui

Sui’s tech is where it shines, so let’s break it down. The Move programming language is at the heart of Sui’s smart contracts. Initially developed for Meta’s Diem blockchain, Move is designed to prevent common bugs, such as re-entrancy attacks, that have plagued Ethereum. Its modular design lets developers create reusable code, and it aligns perfectly with Sui’s object-centric model, enabling parallel execution of transactions. This means Sui can process multiple tasks at once without bottlenecks.

Next up is the consensus mechanism, powered by Narwhal and Tusk. Narwhal is like a high-speed courier, ensuring transaction data is quickly shared across validators. Tusk, meanwhile, sorts and finalizes those transactions using a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) and Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT). Together, they deliver ~100,000 transactions per second (TPS) with ~3-second latency — blazing fast compared to Ethereum’s 15 TPS or even Solana’s 65,000 TPS. Plus, Sui’s gas fees remain low and stable, even during peak demand, thanks to its horizontal scaling approach, which increases capacity by adding more validators.

The object-centric model is another game-changer. Assets are categorized as owned (e.g., your tokens), shared (e.g., a DeFi liquidity pool), or object-owned (e.g., an NFT tied to another NFT). Transactions involving owned objects, common in gaming or NFTs, can bypass complete consensus, making them near-instant. This is perfect for single-writer apps, such as in-game item transfers. Combined, these features make Sui a powerhouse for scalable, user-friendly Web3 applications.

The SUI Ecosystem and Its Key Components

The SUI ecosystem is like a bustling digital city, packed with projects that leverage its speed and scalability. As of April 2025, Sui boasts a Total Value Locked (TVL) of $1.77 billion in DeFi alone, a testament to its growing popularity.

Source: DefilLama

DeFi Powerhouses

Sui’s DeFi scene is thriving. Navi Protocol and Scallop Lend offer lending and borrowing with near-instant settlements. Cetus Protocol, a decentralized exchange (DEX), uses a Concentrated Liquidity Market Maker (CLMM) model to optimize trading. Suilend lets users earn rewards while keeping staked SUI liquid via haSUI tokens. These projects benefit from Sui’s low fees and high transaction per second (TPS) capabilities, making DeFi accessible even during market frenzies.

Top DeFi Projects on SUI:

Navi Protocol: A DeFi platform on Sui for lending and borrowing crypto assets with flexible terms and high yields.
Haedal: Haedal is a liquid staking protocol built on the Sui blockchain, designed to enhance the flexibility and utility of staked SUI tokens. It allows users to stake their SUI tokens to contribute to the governance and decentralization of the Sui network while receiving haSUI, a yield-bearing liquid staking token (LST), in return. Unlike traditional staking, where assets are locked, haSUI maintains liquidity, enabling users to participate in decentralized finance (DeFi) activities while earning staking rewards.
Cetus Protocol: A top DEX with efficient trading and deep liquidity pools, handling millions in daily volume.
DeepBook: A hybrid order book DEX providing institutional-grade liquidity and fast execution, ideal for advanced traders.

Gaming and NFTs

Gaming is where Sui’s object-centric model shines. SUI 8192, a fully on-chain tile game, showcases verifiable gameplay. Run Legends by Talofa Games blends fitness with move-to-earn mechanics, while Gameplay Galaxy builds extreme sports titles. NFT projects like Cosmocadia and Suia cater to collectors, with Sui’s Kiosk system enabling decentralized marketplaces for auctions and trades.

Top Gaming and NFT Projects on SUI:

Run Legends: A move-to-earn fitness game with thousands of active users, rewarding physical activity with tokens.
Cosmocadia: A vibrant NFT collection with utility in gaming and virtual worlds, popular among collectors.
SuiKicks: A sneaker-inspired NFT project with play-to-earn integrations, appealing to streetwear and gaming enthusiasts.

SocialFi

SocialFi, the intersection of social media and decentralized finance, is an emerging sector on Sui, leveraging its scalability for user-driven platforms. These projects empower creators and communities with tokenized incentives, decentralized governance, and seamless transactions, all made efficient by Sui’s low-cost, high-speed infrastructure.

Top SocialFi Projects on SUI:

SuiNS: A decentralized naming service that powers user-friendly identities for SocialFi platforms, enabling custom domains for profiles and wallets.
Peeranha: A decentralized Q&A platform rewarding users for knowledge sharing, integrating SUI for fast micropayments and governance.
TipLink: A social tipping platform that allows users to send SUI-based microtransactions for content creation, with zkLogin for easy onboarding.

AI & Data

Sui’s high throughput and low latency make it an ideal blockchain for AI and data-driven applications, where real-time processing and secure data management are critical. Projects in this sector are exploring AI-powered analytics, decentralized data marketplaces, and tokenized machine learning models, all built on Sui’s robust infrastructure.

Top AI & Data Projects on SUI:

DataX: A decentralized data marketplace enabling secure data sharing for AI model training, with SUI-based payments.
NeuraSui: An AI-driven analytics platform for on-chain data, providing insights for DeFi and gaming projects.
SuiCompute: A decentralized computing network for AI workloads, leveraging Sui’s scalability for cost-efficient processing.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure projects on Sui provide the foundational tools and services that support the ecosystem’s growth, from wallets and bridges to developer SDKs. These projects ensure seamless user experiences, cross-chain interoperability, and robust developer support, making Sui a go-to blockchain for Web3 innovation.

Top Infrastructure Projects on SUI:

Sui Wallet: A user-friendly wallet with zk login integration, supporting SUI transactions and DApp interactions.
Wormhole Bridge: A cross-chain bridge connecting Sui to other blockchains like Ethereum and Solana, enabling asset transfers.
MoveBit: A developer toolkit and auditing platform for Move-based smart contracts, ensuring security and efficiency for Sui DApps.

SUI Tokenomics and Utility

The SUI token is the lifeblood of the ecosystem, with a total supply capped at 10 billion. Its distribution is as follows: 50% Community Reserves (for grants, R&D, and validators), 20% Early Contributors, 14% Investors, 10% Mysten Labs, and 6% Community/Airdrop. This structure balances incentives for developers, investors, and users.

SUI has four main uses:

Gas Fees: Covers transaction and storage costs, keeping fees low and predictable.
Staking: Supports Sui’s delegated proof-of-stake (PoS) system, where holders stake tokens with validators and earn rewards.
Governance: Allows token holders to vote on protocol upgrades and network changes.
Application Utility: Powers DeFi, gaming, and lending platforms, acting as a liquid asset.

The Role of Mysten Labs and Strategic Investments

Mysten Labs, the brains behind Sui, was founded by former Meta engineers: Evan Cheng (CEO), Adeniyi Abiodun (CPO), Sam Blackshear (CTO, creator of Move), George Danezis (Chief Scientist), and Kostas Chalkias (Chief Cryptographer). Their experience with Meta’s Diem project gave them the expertise to build a scalable, secure blockchain.

Mysten Labs raised $36 million in a Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz in 2021, followed by a $300 million Series B in 2022, backed by FTX Ventures, Binance Labs, Coinbase Ventures, and others. This funding fueled Sui’s development, from its incentivized testnet (post-August 2022) to its mainnet launch in May 2023. The team’s vision is bold: to create a Web3 platform that is fast, affordable, and accessible to billions of people. Their roadmap includes expanding the ecosystem with more DApps and partnerships, solidifying Sui’s place in the blockchain world. (Coinmarketcap,2023)

SUI ETF and Investment Opportunities

An SUI ETF doesn’t exist as of April 2025, but imagine one: an exchange-traded fund that tracks SUI tokens and ecosystem assets, such as Cetus, DeepBook, or SuiNS. It would offer investors exposure to Sui’s growth without the hassle of managing crypto wallets. Benefits include diversification across DeFi, gaming, and NFTs, as well as the potential for growth as Sui’s scalability attracts more projects. However, risks like market volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and competition from other Layer-1s (e.g., Solana, Aptos) are real.

For now, you can invest in SUI directly via exchanges on CoinEx, which offers secure trading and wallet options. Keep an eye on Sui’s ecosystem growth and partnerships for clues about its long-term potential. A future SUI ETF could be a game-changer for Web3 investors.

Conclusion

Sui is more than just another blockchain — it’s a bold step toward making Web3 fast, affordable, and user-friendly. With its object-centric model, Move programming language, and Narwhal-Tusk consensus, Sui delivers unparalleled speed and scalability.

Its ecosystem, though still maturing, is buzzing with DeFi, NFT, and gaming projects, backed by Mysten Labs’ visionary team. The SUI token’s utility and a potential SUI ETF make it an intriguing investment opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Sui Network?

Sui is a next-generation Layer-1 blockchain focused on speed, low costs, and accessibility, designed to improve the Web3 experience.

2. How is Sui different from Ethereum and Solana?

Sui uses an object-centric model, parallel transaction processing, and user-friendly features like zkLogin, balancing speed and usability better than many competitors.

3. What is the current Total Value Locked (TVL) on Sui?

As of April 2025, Sui’s DeFi sector boasts a total value locked (TVL) of $1.77 billion, reflecting its rapid ecosystem growth.

4. Where should I stay updated about SUI developments?

Stay updated through CoinEx, where you can find trading opportunities, ecosystem news, and future investment options.

References

CoinGecko. (2024). Sui (SUI) overview. Retrieved from https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/sui
CoinMarketCap. (2023). What is Sui? The ultimate guide to the Sui ecosystem. Retrieved from https://coinmarketcap.com/academy/article/what-is-sui-the-ultimate-guide-to-the-sui-ecosystem
DefiLlama. (2025, April 26). The total value locked is $1.77B as of April 26, 2025. Retrieved from https://defillama.com/chain/sui?tvl=true&volume=false
Sui Network. (2025). Official website. Retrieved from https://sui.io/

About CoinEx

Established in 2017, CoinEx is a global cryptocurrency exchange designed with users in mind. Since its launch by the industry-leading mining pool ViaBTC, the platform has been one of the earliest crypto exchanges to release proof-of-reserves to protect 100% of user assets. CoinEx provides over 1300 cryptocurrencies, supported by professional-grade features and services, for its 10+ million registered users across 200+ countries and regions. CoinEx is also home to its native token, CET, which incentivizes user activities while empowering its ecosystem.