Sui Network's Bullish 2025: The News You Probably Missed

In 2025, the Sui Network, a layer 1 blockchain focused on scalability and user accessibility, has reported several developments. Despite several market fluctuations, Sui has steadily gained traction, although several achievements, such as new exchange listings, fresh community spaces, and asset introductions, haven't garnered widespread attention. 

This piece examines the overlooked updates in Sui's ecosystem, detailing the steps that will influence its path forward. Furthermore, it reflects ongoing efforts to expand the ecosystem's reach and functionality amid growing interest in decentralized finance and the tokenization of real-world assets.

Robinhood Listing Enhances SUI Accessibility

On August 19, 2025, Sui Network announced that its native token, $SUI, became available for trading on Robinhood, an exchange with millions of users. This move allows users to buy and sell SUI directly through the Robinhood app, integrating the token into a mainstream financial service. The announcement highlighted this as a step toward broader adoption, enabling more individuals to engage with Sui's blockchain features without needing specialized crypto exchanges.

Reactions on X included positive sentiments from users and projects within the Sui ecosystem, which saw it as an opportunity to attract more liquidity and participants. Sui Network provided further details via a blog post, explaining how this aligns with their goal of making digital asset ownership more straightforward.

This development comes amid Sui's push for institutional and retail integration, building on earlier 2025 announcements like support from platforms such as Utila for digital asset management. By mid-2025, such listings have contributed to increased visibility for SUI, although price performance has not always matched the growth in on-chain activity.

H1 2025 Metrics Show Network Growth

Sui Network's performance in the first half of 2025 included processing more than 2.7 billion transactions, with a total value locked of $3.4 billion, including liquid staking tokens, and a base TVL exceeding $1 billion. The network expanded to 116 validators and over 292,000 delegators, while the stablecoin market cap on Sui hit $1.15 billion. These figures were detailed in a report by Everstake, a staking provider, which emphasized Sui's ability to handle scale and attract liquidity.

Specifically in the second quarter, Decentralized Exchange (DEX) volume reached new highs, increasing 20.8% quarter-over-quarter to a daily average of $367.9 million, and DeFi TVL grew 44.3% to $1.76 billion. Sui's market cap rose 31.3% to $9.44 billion during this period. However, SUI's token price has lagged behind these onchain metrics, indicating a disconnect between network usage and market valuation.

Expansion of SuiHub in Asia

Sui Network launched SuiHub Taipei, establishing a community hub in Taiwan to promote blockchain innovation in East and Southeast Asia. Located in Asia's hardware capital, the hub focuses on events, gaming, and digital experiences built on Sui. The announcement included details on how the space will facilitate collaboration among developers and builders.

This expansion builds on Sui's community efforts, including SuiFest 2025, which emphasized in-person events for networking and gaming. Sui also participated in Korea Blockchain Week, featuring events such as Sui Builder House: APAC, Ready. Sui. Play! gaming sessions, An Evening with Sui, and the Sui-mming Hackathon. These activities aim to foster real-world connections within the ecosystem.

Tokenized Assets and Real-World Integrations

On August 21, 2025, Matrixdock launched XAUm, a tokenized gold asset on Sui, backed 1:1 by LBMA-accredited 99.99% pure gold. This marked the first such deployment on a non-EVM chain, offering secure, redeemable, and DeFi-compatible ownership.

DeLorean Motor Company tokenized parts of its ecosystem on Sui, blending automotive assets with blockchain. During Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August, the company emphasized community education and onchain innovation for Web2 users. DeLorean highlighted its real-world asset approach, including tokenized company elements, and its commitment to building on Sui.

These initiatives align with Sui's focus on real-world assets, as seen in partnerships such as Mojito Loyalty, which utilizes app-based rewards with low fees and fast finality. Alkimi partnered with Sui for ad tech, discussed in a live session. Merlin Chain integrated M-BTC on Sui, enabling yield and liquidity for Bitcoin holders.

Bitcoin Assets Drive TVL Surge

In July 2025, Bitcoin-related assets on Sui accounted for over 20% of TVL and nearly 5% of spot trading volume, a record high. Supported variants include wBTC, LBTC, stBTC, xBTC, tBTC, WBTC, and SATLBTC, positioning Sui as a BTCfi hub. The OKX Wallet xBTC Vault on Volo allows staking and optimization.

This growth follows 2024's BTCfi expansion, which quadrupled in Q1 2025. Institutional interest was evident in announcements, like Mill City Ventures unlocking ecosystem opportunities.

How Is Sui Network Advancing in 2025?

User Onboarding Improvements: Sui has focused on zkLogin and Passkey to enhance user experience. zkLogin enables Web2-style logins through Google, Apple, or Facebook, generating ephemeral keys without exposing private keys. Passkey provides biometric and device-native signing, with support for offline use and multisig features for added security. 

Together, these tools abstract private keys while maintaining user control, making them ideal for games, mobile apps, and broader global adoption. Multisig support further allows combining methods to create custom policies, such as a 2-of-3 signing method.

Wallet Integrations: In January 2025, Phantom wallet added support for Sui, enabling users to manage assets, perform swaps, and conduct cross-chain bridging with Solana.

Community Events and Initiatives: SuiFest 2025 featured in-person events designed as a "community portal" to foster connections and gaming activities. Additionally, the Sui Overflow 2025 Hackathon offered over $500,000 in prizes across various tracks, including DeFi, AI, and payments. Press Start Capital introduced a BTCfi and Payments Fellowship in partnership with Sui, offering $25,000 checks and mentorship to participants.

Gaming and Cross-Chain Developments: Gaming on Sui progressed with tools that simplify Web3 game development. Axelar also launched on the Sui mainnet, providing cross-chain access capabilities.

Institutional Leadership: Mysten Labs, the core contributor to Sui, hired Mustafa Al Niama, previously head of Goldman Sachs' Americas digital assets desk, as Head of Capital Markets to strengthen institutional engagement.

Tokenomics Details: Sui's total supply is limited to 10 billion SUI tokens, with the majority anticipated to be in circulation by mid-2025. Recent updates include expanded support for validators, reduced fees, and new developer tools designed to enhance scalability.

Ecosystem Tokens: Several tokens in the Sui ecosystem have seen increased traction, including CETUS for decentralized exchanges (DEX), Scallop (SCLP) for lending, Turbos for perpetual trading, and assets from Navi Protocol. 

Looking Ahead

Going forward, Sui plans to participate in Korea Blockchain Week in Seoul, featuring events such as Sui Builder House: APAC, gaming sessions, networking evenings, and the Sui-ming Hackathon to drive developer collaboration. The Ika cross-chain protocol has opened requests for proposals, enabling Sui smart contracts to manage assets across ecosystems. The BTCfi and Payments Fellowship, launched on August 20, provides funding and mentorship for projects in Bitcoin DeFi and payments. Further rewards and distributions from protocols like Walrus are anticipated, alongside a continued focus on real-world asset tokenization and enhancements to user onboarding.

Sui Network in 2025 demonstrates capabilities in handling high transaction volumes, supporting tokenized assets, and facilitating user-friendly onboarding through zkLogin and Passkey. The ecosystem supports DeFi with TVL over $3 billion, including LSTs, BTCfi integrations, and community hubs like SuiHub Taipei. Institutional tools from Utila and hires like Al Niama bolster its infrastructure, while cross-chain protocols like Ika and events like SuiFest enhance interoperability and engagement.

Sources:

• Sui Blog - Robinhood Listing: https://blog.sui.io/robinhood-listing-sui/ 
• Sui Blog - SuiHub Taipei Launch: https://blog.sui.io/suihub-taipei-launch/
• Messari Report on Sui Q2 2025: https://messari.io/report/state-of-sui-q2-2025
• DeLorean Tokenization of EV Reservations on SUI: https://cointelegraph.com/news/delorean-tokenizes-ev-reservations-on-sui 
• DeFi Sector hits 3-year High in TVL: https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/07/28/defi-sector-hits-3-year-high-in-tvl-as-investors-rush-to-farm-yields