The competition in the Layer-1 blockchain space has taken a dramatic turn in 2025. Sui (SUI), a relatively young player, is fast emerging as a serious contender, outpacing long-standing giants like Cardano (ADA) on multiple fronts. While skeptics may dismiss the buzz around SUI as hype or short-lived euphoria, the data paints a more compelling picture.

Metrics Tell the Real Story

SUI’s recent growth isn’t just about social media chatter—it’s being driven by hard numbers. Its Total Value Locked (TVL) in DeFi has soared by nearly 5% in just 24 hours to reach $2.84 billion, a stark contrast to Cardano’s $414.9 million, which has declined by almost 4% in the same period.

That’s not a minor difference—it’s a clear signal of where liquidity is flowing and where users are building. And it’s not a short-term blip. Over the past year, SUI has seen its daily active addresses surge by over 1,770%, climbing to 1.4 million. Meanwhile, Cardano has seen its user activity fall by more than 26%, with just 23,500 daily users remaining active.

From DEX volumes to transaction throughput, fee generation, and network revenue, SUI is outperforming across the board. The platform’s rapid ecosystem expansion suggests that it’s not just catching up—it’s pulling ahead.

The Stablecoin Factor

One of the most telling indicators of growth in a Layer-1 ecosystem is the supply of stablecoins, which acts as a key liquidity base for DeFi protocols. SUI’s stablecoin supply has now surged to an all-time high of $908 million, approaching the symbolic $1 billion mark.

This rise isn’t just cosmetic—it directly fuels staking, yield farming, and transaction activity across the network. In contrast, Cardano continues to lag behind, with relatively limited stablecoin presence and slower DeFi engagement.

Price Action Reflects Confidence

Beyond metrics, the market is reacting. In the past month, SUI has delivered a 51% gain, significantly outperforming Cardano’s modest 5% uptick. That kind of performance catches the attention of both speculative traders and long-term believers.

Yes, Cardano still holds a solid 116% recovery from its cycle lows. And yes, SUI is still 40% below its all-time highs. But what matters here is trajectory—and right now, SUI’s is pointing sharply upward. The latest rally has brought SUI’s price back to levels last seen in mid-February, whereas Cardano still struggles to retest the critical $1 psychological level.

What Investors Are Thinking

This shift in momentum is also a reflection of investor psychology. Momentum traders are drawn to growth stories, while fundamentals-focused investors are taking note of SUI’s consistent structural expansion.

In just two years, SUI has managed to build what Cardano has struggled to achieve over eight. That’s not to say Cardano lacks value—but in a fast-moving market, time and speed matter. The perception of being “undervalued” is now swinging in SUI’s favor.

What we’re witnessing isn’t just a short-term narrative—it’s a potential re-rating of Layer-1 dominance. SUI’s sharp rise in user adoption, developer activity, and capital inflow signals that it may no longer be the underdog. It’s a direct challenge to legacy blockchains, and it’s gaining ground quickly.

Final Takeaway

The Layer-1 race is heating up, and SUI is no longer just a promising newcomer—it’s positioning itself as a legitimate rival to established players like Cardano. With surging fundamentals, strong liquidity, and growing investor confidence, SUI could soon leap further up the blockchain leaderboard.

For investors, the message is clear: don’t just look at market cap—look at momentum. And right now, SUI has it.