What Makes Sui a “Standout” Blockchain?

Author: Zhou Zhou, Foresight News

“I chose Sui because it has a clear development direction—something not all public blockchains can claim.” This sentiment was echoed by multiple Sui project founders during my interviews.

One developer, who has been building on Sui for nearly two years, shared: “The Move language used in Sui feels like it was designed by a major corporation—structured, standardized, and beginner-friendly. It significantly reduces the learning curve for new developers.” This is just one of Sui’s many distinctive traits.

Through these conversations, I discovered that Sui’s unique characteristics set it apart from other blockchains in several ways. For instance:
– Sui provides grants in USD rather than its native token.
– It enforces strict brand separation between grant recipients and the Sui Foundation.
– It has a strong commitment to expanding into the gaming sector.

These factors make Sui a standout blockchain in the crypto industry.

On October 17, 2024, the 10th Wanxiang Blockchain Summit was held in Shanghai, alongside several Sui-hosted events. Attending these gatherings gave me deeper insights into Sui’s ecosystem growth.

Since September 2024, Sui’s token price and Total Value Locked (TVL) have surged, capturing widespread attention across the crypto space. In just a month:
TVL skyrocketed from $600M to over $1B (nearly doubling).
Token price surged from $0.8 to over $2, peaking at a 3x increase.

Some industry observers have even dubbed Sui the “Solana Killer.”

But what’s driving this rapid growth? Who are the key players behind it? How does Sui differentiate itself from other blockchains? Are its innovations sustainable, or is this just short-term hype?

After speaking with multiple Sui ecosystem builders, I uncovered some answers.


Sui’s Unique Traits

Sui stands out in the crypto world through several defining characteristics:

1. Focus on Gaming

Adeniyi Abiodun, a Sui co-founder, stated in a recent Grayscale interview:
“We chose gaming because it’s often the earliest adopter of new technologies, driving advancements in AI and high-performance computing. Sui solves ownership challenges in gaming, attracting major developers like South Korea’s Nhan Net, Marble, FNC, and NCSoft.”

Currently, 75+ game studios are building on Sui—up from just 30 a year ago.

Sui’s CEO, Evan Cheng, has also emphasized the importance of gaming, frequently promoting SuiPlay, Sui’s gaming hardware. Recent initiatives include rewards and airdrops for SuiPlay holders.

👉 Discover how SuiPlay is revolutionizing blockchain gaming

2. Strong Emphasis on Compliance

Unlike many Web3 projects that prioritize decentralization and permissionless access, Sui takes compliance seriously.

  • Grant Process: Sui provides grants in USD (not tokens), requiring rigorous documentation, KYC, and extended approval times.
  • Institutional Standards: One insider noted that “Mysten Labs’ compliance protocols feel like a Web2 corporation.”

This strict approach reassures users: “If Sui endorses a project (like Cetus or Scallop), rug pulls are unlikely.”

3. Strategic Web2 Collaboration

Sui’s long-term vision involves mass adoption through partnerships with traditional institutions. To achieve this:
– It avoids meme coin culture (unlike Base or Solana).
– It maintains a clean reputation, crucial for corporate alliances.


Sui’s Growth Strategy: Compliance in the West, Momentum in Asia

While Sui focuses on U.S. compliance and global gaming partnerships, its top DeFi projects are predominantly led by Asian founders.

  • 70-80% of Sui’s DeFi projects are built by Chinese developers.
  • Speed & Efficiency: Asian teams excel in executing Sui’s clear roadmap.

Sui vs. Other Move-Based Blockchains

Among 20+ Move-language chains, three originate from Facebook’s Libra team:
1. Aptos
2. Sui
3. Linera

Key Differences:
| Feature | Sui | Aptos |
|——————|———————————-|—————————|
| Updates | Technical/product-focused | Event-driven |
| Ecosystem | Gaming & institutional adoption | General-purpose DeFi |

“Sui’s clarity in direction—whether in DeFi, gaming, or compliance—gives builders confidence.”

👉 Explore Sui’s developer resources


FAQs

1. Why is Sui’s grant system unique?

Sui provides USD grants (not tokens) and enforces strict compliance, ensuring transparency and reducing speculative risks.

2. How does Sui attract game developers?

By solving digital ownership issues and offering infrastructure like SuiPlay, Sui appeals to studios seeking blockchain integration.

3. Is Sui’s growth sustainable?

Unlike hype-driven projects, Sui’s long-term partnerships and compliance focus suggest enduring growth.

4. Why do Asian developers dominate Sui’s DeFi?

They align well with Sui’s structured roadmap, executing efficiently compared to Western counterparts.

5. How does Sui compare to Aptos?

While both use Move, Sui prioritizes technical updates, whereas Aptos leans toward community events.

6. Will Sui’s compliance focus limit innovation?

No—it ensures institutional trust, a critical factor for mass adoption.


Final Thoughts

Sui’s focus on gaming, compliance, and Web2 collaboration sets it apart in a crowded blockchain landscape. Its clear strategic direction—whether in DeFi, partnerships, or developer support—positions it for long-term success.

As one developer summarized: “Sui is concise, focused, and unwavering in its goals.”

For those exploring blockchain innovations, Sui represents a compelling blend of technology, trust, and vision.

👉 Learn more about building on Sui