SUI's Total Value Locked (TVL) reached a new milestone, crossing $1.03 billion on September 29. This marks a nearly fivefold increase since the start of the year. This rapid growth places SUI in the eighth spot among DeFi ecosystems, just behind Avalanche.

• SUI's Total Value Locked (TVL) surpassed $1 billion on September 29.

• SUI has gained over 270% since August, currently aiming for a new all-time high.

• The token unlock event on October 3 could impact short-term market prices.

The Sui network acknowledged key protocols like NAVI, Cetus, and Suilend for their significant contributions to the TVL growth, with $370 million, $174 million, and $170 million locked, respectively. Since its launch in May 2023, SUI has led the TVL growth among Layer-1 blockchains, increasing by 480%. For comparison, Solana, Ethereum, and Avalanche have seen gains of 183%, 57%, and 18% over the same period.

Sui’s TVL goes past the $1 billion mark before dipping lower | Source: DefiLlama

At the time of writing, SUI’s TVL has slightly dipped to over $987 million but still holds its position as the 8th largest DeFi ecosystem in the market.

Read more: Top Projects in the Sui Network Ecosystem You Should Know About

Circle Launches USDC on Sui Network

Source: X 

Circle, the company behind the USD Coin (USDC), recently launched USDC on the Sui Network, expanding its presence in the DeFi ecosystem. This integration allows users and developers on Sui to access a stable, fiat-backed digital currency for various financial activities, including trading, lending, and staking.

The addition of USDC to the Sui Network is expected to enhance liquidity and drive further adoption of the network's DeFi services. This move also aligns with SUI's growing ecosystem, as the network continues to cement its position among the top Layer-1 blockchains. By providing a reliable, widely recognized stablecoin like USDC, Circle aims to facilitate seamless transactions within the Sui ecosystem, further supporting its recent price surge and TVL growth.

This integration marks a significant milestone for Sui, potentially contributing to a more stable and versatile DeFi market within its network. As SUI targets new highs, the availability of USDC could play a pivotal role in maintaining its upward trajectory.

Read more: What Is SuiPlay0X1, and How to Buy It?

SUI/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin

SUI's price has surged dramatically since August 5, climbing 285% from its low of $0.46 to $1.85. This bullish momentum propelled it past key resistance at $1.32, leaving the next major barrier at the all-time high of $2.18, just 24% above its current price. Technical indicators suggest further potential growth, but a short-term retracement might occur before the price reaches new highs.

SUI's recent price movements have drawn significant attention from traders and investors. The token surged by 10% in the past 24 hours, signaling strong bullish momentum. This surge was supported by a 20% rise in open interest, indicating growing market confidence in SUI.

Despite encountering resistance around the $2 mark, SUI's robust upward trend points to the potential for further growth. The current Relative Strength Index (RSI) value of 79 indicates that the asset is overbought, yet the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains bullish.

Potential Price Retracement at Previous Key Resistance of $1.43

While SUI has been on an upward trend, some technical indicators show possible signs of a short-term pullback. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is hinting at a bearish divergence in overbought territory, suggesting that a retracement might occur soon. If this happens, SUI's price could fall toward the $1.43 support level, aligning with the previous horizontal resistance area. However, this would likely be a temporary dip before a rebound toward a new all-time high.

SUI Token Unlock Event Could Drive Bearish Pressure on Price

Sui token unlock in October 2024 | Source: Token.Unlocks 

A significant token unlock is scheduled for October 1, 2024. SUI will release 64.19 million tokens, valued at approximately $100 million, to early contributors, investors, and its treasury. This unlock represents 2.4% of the circulating supply and could introduce increased market volatility.

Other token unlocks this week include DYDX and MAV, with $8.9 million and $8.47 million worth of tokens, respectively. Token unlocks often bring both opportunities and risks, as the sudden increase in liquidity can lead to short-term price swings. Market participants should exercise caution during this period.

SUI's recent surge suggests that it could reach a new all-time high, potentially targeting $2.44 if the bullish trend continues. The market sentiment remains optimistic, with increased trading activity and strong technical indicators backing the rally. However, the upcoming token unlock event could introduce short-term volatility, so market participants are advised to monitor price movements closely.