In a notable development in the blockchain landscape, Sui Network has moved ahead of TRON to become the third-largest blockchain in terms of daily active addresses. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the comparatively young Layer-1 protocol and reflects shifting dynamics in blockchain adoption, utility, and user behavior during 2025.
User Surge Signals Growing Popularity
Recent on-chain statistics have highlighted a sharp increase in Sui’s daily user engagement, rising from around 1.38 million to approximately 2.46 million within a matter of weeks. This surge allowed the network to surpass TRON, which had long maintained a stronghold on the third spot, largely due to its presence in developing regions and its use in stablecoin transactions.
The data suggests that a growing segment of blockchain users are now gravitating toward platforms that combine technical agility with developer-centric features. Sui, with its robust infrastructure, appears to be resonating more with users seeking enhanced speed, scalability, and utility.
Technological Edge Boosts Adoption
A central factor behind Sui’s rising appeal lies in its foundational technology. The network is built on the Move programming language, which was originally developed by Facebook as part of its now-defunct Diem project. This codebase has proven valuable for developers due to its focus on security and performance optimization, enabling the creation of advanced decentralized applications (dApps) that are now thriving within the Sui ecosystem.
Sui’s technical capacity also includes theoretical transaction speeds reaching up to 297,000 transactions per second (TPS), a figure that extends beyond theoretical capability and is demonstrating real-world impact. This high throughput has contributed to smoother experiences across high-demand sectors such as decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, and NFTs.
Cross-Chain Capital and Liquidity Inflows
Another factor reinforcing Sui’s momentum is its expanding cross-chain interoperability. Over the past quarter alone, nearly $1 billion in cross-chain assets have flowed into the Sui ecosystem, indicating growing confidence among institutional investors and independent developers alike. This influx of capital is further enhancing the platform’s utility and positioning it as a go-to choice for multi-chain operations.
DeFi and Wallet Growth Fuel Ecosystem Expansion
Sui’s presence in the DeFi space has also seen remarkable growth. The total value locked (TVL) in DeFi protocols operating on the network recently approached $2.3 billion, a steep climb from under $400 million recorded in August. This more than fivefold growth over just six months underscores the expanding scope and credibility of the Sui ecosystem within the broader decentralized finance sector.
Alongside its DeFi success, Sui is witnessing a significant rise in wallet creation activity. The network has consistently averaged over 200,000 new wallets daily, with some days seeing peaks of more than 400,000. This wave of new users is contributing to the network’s fast-paced growth and increasing its visibility within the blockchain space.
Future Implications for Legacy Networks
Sui’s entry into the top three by user count sends a broader signal about the evolving nature of blockchain competition. Its growth story underscores the importance of combining technological innovation with user-friendly features to attract both retail participants and developers. Platforms that fail to keep pace with such advancements may risk losing their market positions, as user loyalty appears increasingly driven by performance, flexibility, and trust.
While TRON remains a significant player, Sui’s ascent indicates a reshuffling of priorities in the blockchain ecosystem—where speed, adaptability, and ecosystem development are becoming essential benchmarks for success. As this dynamic environment continues to evolve, networks like Sui seem well-positioned to shape the next chapter in decentralized innovation.