What is SUI crypto, and how do you trade it?
What is Sui?
Sui is a layer-1 blockchain developed by Mysten Labs, a company founded by former Meta (Facebook) engineers. Launched in May 2023, it’s built to support fast and scalable applications, with low fees and the ability to handle a high number of transactions.
Unlike older blockchains like Bitcoin (BTC), which process transactions one at a time, Sui can handle many at once. This makes it faster and more efficient – even when lots of people are using the network at the same time.
Sui’s native token, SUI, is used to pay transaction fees, run smart contracts, take part in governance, and help secure the network through staking. As of May 2025, SUI ranks among the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market cap, according to CoinMarketCap.
How does Sui work?
Sui is a Layer 1 blockchain that uses a delegated proof-of-stake (dPoS) system. In this setup, a group of validators confirms transactions, while SUI holders can delegate their tokens to these validators to help secure the network and earn staking rewards.
The network is built around an object-based model. Instead of using traditional accounts and balances, Sui treats assets as individual objects with clearly defined ownership and logic. This design allows many transactions to be processed in parallel – as long as they don’t interact with the same object. As a result, simple transactions can often achieve near-instant finality without needing full network consensus.
However, when transactions involve shared objects (like a shared counter or game state), Sui uses consensus protocols called Narwhal and Bullshark to ensure all validators agree on the result. This dual-approach allows the network to balance speed and scalability with security and consistency.
Sui smart contracts are written in Move, a language originally created by Meta for its Diem project. Move has been adapted for Sui’s object-based architecture, making it easier to build apps, games, and digital assets that require fast, flexible logic.
Users pay gas fees in SUI. A portion of each fee goes into a storage fund, which helps cover the long-term cost of storing data on-chain and supports the network’s sustainability.
What’s the SUI crypto price history?
The SUI crypto price history has seen its fair share of ups and downs since the token hit the market in 2023.
SUI launched in May 2023, trading above $1 in its early days and closing at $0.9744 on 31 May 2023. The price drifted lower through the second half of the year, reaching a $0.3643 all-time low on 19 October as sentiment across the crypto market cooled. However, renewed interest in Sui’s technology and ecosystem lifted the SUI token price, which closed at $0.7784 on 31 December 2023.
In 2024, SUI moved steadily higher on the back of new project launches and rising network activity – closing the year at $4.1169.
2025 price action
SUI’s coin price reached its $5.35 all-time high on 6 January 2025, before dipping under $2 in March as traders took profits and the wider market turned cautious. Since then, SUI has seen renewed volatility, bouncing back to trade around $3.25–$4 as of 9 May 2025.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
Follow the SUI crypto price live in US dollars on our SUI/USD price chart.
Which factors might influence the SUI live price?
The SUI crypto live price can be influenced by network usage, token supply dynamics, broader crypto market trends, and regulatory developments.
Network usage and ecosystem growth
SUI’s price may respond to shifts in network activity. A rise in transactions, decentralised applications (dApps), or active addresses can signal growing adoption. This could support the SUI crypto price if traders see sustained demand for the token’s utility in transaction fees and staking. However, slow adoption or delays in new project launches might have the opposite effect. For example, if anticipated NFT or gaming integrations fail to attract users, sentiment can weaken and weigh on the SUI coin price.
Crypto market sentiment
As with many digital assets, the SUI crypto price sometimes moves in line with wider market trends. Bullish conditions in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) can lift demand for altcoins, including SUI. During the May 2025 rally, SUI participated in the broader market uptrend after BTC reclaimed the $100,000 mark. Conversely, risk-off sentiment, such as macroeconomic uncertainty or profit-taking following significant gains, can trigger outflows from altcoins and push the SUI token price lower.
Regulatory updates and listings
Developments in crypto regulation can also impact the SUI market. Supportive frameworks may boost investor confidence, especially if SUI gains approval on more regulated exchanges. New listings, particularly on major international platforms, can increase access and liquidity, which may support the SUI crypto price (as it appears on some CFD trading platforms).
On the other hand, stricter rules around staking or token classification could introduce uncertainty. Any move to label SUI as a security in key jurisdictions could dampen demand or limit trading access in future.
Token unlocks and supply changes
SUI has a capped total supply of 10 billion tokens, with approximately 3.33 billion – about one-third of the total supply – currently in circulation as of May 2025. Unlocks are scheduled monthly, often releasing tens of millions of tokens at a time, such as 64.19 million on 1 April 2025 and 74 million on 1 May 2025.
When large amounts enter circulation, it can create short-term selling pressure, such unlocks can introduce volatility, although price movements are influenced by multiple factors including market sentiment and ecosystem growth. However, if the ecosystem continues to grow and absorbs the new supply, the impact on price may be limited.
Learn more about altcoins and the cryptocurrency market – read our comprehensive guides on cryptocurrency trading and altcoins.
What are the SUI trading hours?
SUI runs on a decentralised blockchain network that’s active 24/7 – meaning you can trade it any time, including nights, weekends and public holidays. However, if you are trading SUI as a CFD, trading hours may depend on your chosen platform and may not always be available around the clock.
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Crypto exchanges – most major exchanges offer round-the-clock SUI trading, though liquidity may vary depending on the time of day.
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Online brokerages – some trading platforms offer SUI as a CFD, letting you trade the SUI/USD price with leverage, which can also amplify losses, and go long or short.
If you’re trading CFDs, you can follow the SUI performance live using our real-time SUI/USD price chart.
Keeping an eye on trading hours can help you monitor price action during key events, like token unlocks or major news releases. These can trigger short-term moves in the SUI crypto price.
How to buy and trade SUI crypto
SUI can be bought and traded on centralised cryptocurrency exchanges, where it might be paired against stablecoins like USDT or major assets such as BTC and ETH. Traders can buy SUI by depositing fiat or crypto (where supported) and placing an order through the exchange’s interface.
Alternatively, SUI can be traded via contracts for difference (CFDs), which allow you to speculate on the SUI/USD price without owning the underlying token. With CFDs, you can go long if you expect the price to rise or go short if you believe it will fall. This makes them a flexible option for traders aiming to capitalise on market moves in either direction.
CFDs also offer access to leverage, enabling you to open larger positions with a smaller capital outlay. This can increase potential gains but also magnifies risk.
You can find out more about crypto CFDs and how they work in our full guide to cryptocurrency trading.
In addition to exchanges and CFD platforms, SUI is also available through decentralised exchanges (DEXs). However, these typically require a Web3 wallet and carry different risks, such as slippage and smart contract vulnerabilities.
