The SUI ecosystem is making headlines after its Total Value Locked (TVL) surpassed $1 billion on September 29, marking a major milestone for the Layer-1 blockchain. This surge in locked value has reignited investor interest, with the SUI price climbing over 270% since early August. As momentum builds, many are asking: Could SUI be on the verge of a new all-time high?
This article explores the driving forces behind SUI’s rapid growth, analyzes key technical indicators, and evaluates the most likely price trajectories based on current market dynamics.
SUI’s Total Value Locked Hits $1 Billion
On September 29, the SUI Network officially announced that its Total Value Locked (TVL) had crossed the $1 billion threshold—a powerful signal of growing confidence in its decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. According to DeFiLlama, the actual TVL reached **$1.03 billion, placing SUI in eighth position** among all blockchain networks, ahead of Polygon and just behind Avalanche at $1.11 billion.
This five-fold increase in TVL since the start of 2025 reflects strong adoption across key protocols. The network publicly acknowledged top-performing platforms such as NAVI, Cetus, and Suilend—each contributing significantly to liquidity with TVLs of $370 million, $174 million, and $170 million respectively.
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What sets SUI apart is not just the absolute growth, but the pace of expansion relative to other Layer-1 blockchains. Since January 2025, SUI leads the pack with a 480% increase in TVL, far outpacing Solana (183%), Ethereum (57%), and Avalanche (18%).
While some may argue that comparing TVL growth from launch offers a fairer benchmark, even by those standards, SUI’s performance remains impressive. Launched in May 2023, it took SUI approximately 16 months to reach $1 billion in TVL. In contrast, Ethereum took over two years, Solana achieved it in 13 months, and Binance Smart Chain was fastest at just three months.
Nonetheless, SUI’s ability to attract substantial capital in a competitive environment underscores its growing appeal among developers and yield seekers alike.
SUI Price Gains Momentum After Key Breakout
The rise in TVL has closely mirrored SUI’s price action. After finding support at $0.46 on August 5—coinciding with a bounce off a descending parallel channel’s trendline—the token began a strong upward move.
Since then, SUI has surged over 285%, peaking at $1.85** on September 29. This rally pushed the price above a critical resistance confluence at **$1.32, formed by both a horizontal price ceiling and the 0.5 Fibonacci retracement level—historically significant zones that often signal trend reversals or continuations.
With resistance cleared, the path appears open toward the previous all-time high of $2.18, which now represents just a 24% increase from current levels.
SUI/USDT Daily Chart | Credit: Valdrin Tahiri / TradingView
Despite the bullish momentum, technical indicators are beginning to show signs of strain. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is flirting with overbought territory and may be forming a bearish divergence—a classic warning sign that upward momentum could be weakening. Meanwhile, the MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) has flattened, suggesting a potential loss of bullish acceleration.
These signals do not necessarily indicate a reversal but point toward a possible short-term pullback before any further advance.
Will SUI Retrace Before Reaching New Highs?
Elliott Wave Theory offers valuable insight into SUI’s next likely move. According to the most plausible wave count, SUI is currently in Wave 3 of a five-wave bullish impulse that began on August 5.
Wave 3 has already extended significantly—reaching approximately 1.61 times the length of Wave 1—making it a likely area for a temporary top. In Elliott Wave analysis, extended third waves are common in strong trends and are typically followed by a corrective phase (Wave 4) before the final push higher (Wave 5).
If this pattern holds, SUI could retrace toward the $1.43 level—the 0.382 Fibonacci retracement zone—which also aligns with prior resistance-turned-support. This confluence increases its reliability as a potential bottom before the next leg up.
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Looking ahead, the projected target for the end of Wave 5 is $2.44, representing roughly a 32% gain from the September peak. Alternatively, if Wave 3 extends further to 2.61 times the length of Wave 1, SUI could reach this target without an intermediate correction.
Either scenario suggests that a new all-time high is not only possible but increasingly probable.
FAQs: Understanding SUI’s Growth and Price Outlook
What does TVL mean for a blockchain like SUI?
Total Value Locked (TVL) measures the amount of assets staked or deposited in DeFi protocols on a network. A rising TVL indicates growing user trust, active development, and increasing utility within the ecosystem.
Why is SUI outperforming other Layer-1 blockchains?
SUI’s combination of high-speed transactions, low fees, and object-centric data model enables scalable DeFi and gaming applications. Coupled with strategic protocol incentives and strong community engagement, these fundamentals have driven rapid TVL growth.
Is a price correction likely before SUI hits new highs?
Yes, technical indicators suggest a short-term retracement toward $1.43 is plausible. However, this would likely be part of a healthy market cycle rather than a reversal of the broader uptrend.
How does SUI compare to Solana and Avalanche?
While Solana leads in speed and Avalanche in subnets, SUI differentiates itself with its Move-based programming language and parallel transaction processing. Its recent TVL surge shows growing competitiveness despite being newer.
What catalysts could push SUI to $2.44?
Key drivers include sustained DeFi growth, increased institutional interest, exchange listings, and potential staking rewards adjustments. Continued ecosystem expansion will be crucial.
Is now a good time to invest in SUI?
Market conditions appear favorable for long-term holders, but short-term volatility should be expected. Investors should conduct their own research and consider risk tolerance before entering positions.
Final Outlook: A New All-Time High Within Reach
SUI’s Total Value Locked reaching $1.03 billion is more than just a number—it reflects real usage and growing confidence in its infrastructure. Combined with strong price momentum and favorable technical structure, the stage is set for SUI to challenge its previous all-time high of $2.18—and potentially exceed it.
While a short-term pullback cannot be ruled out—especially given overbought indicators—the broader trend remains firmly bullish. With key support levels aligning near $1.43 and upside targets projected at $2.44, SUI appears poised for continued growth through late 2025.
Whether you're watching from a technical, fundamental, or ecosystem development perspective, one thing is clear: SUI is emerging as a major player in the next generation of blockchain innovation.
Core Keywords:
SUI price prediction, Total Value Locked (TVL), Layer-1 blockchain, SUI price analysis, DeFi ecosystem, cryptocurrency market rally, blockchain adoption, Elliott Wave Theory
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, financial advice. We do not make any warranties regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of this information. All investments involve risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results. We recommend consulting a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.