Sui has made a significant move in the digital asset landscape with the launch of USDsui, its native stablecoin, charting a course towards greater financial independence for layer-1 blockchains. This initiative reflects a strategic industry pivot away from relying solely on established stablecoins like USDC and USDT, as networks increasingly seek to internalize the economic benefits of their burgeoning on-chain activity.
Capturing Value and Revenue
The primary driver behind Sui's decision to issue USDsui is the desire to capture the substantial revenue generated by stablecoin transfers within its ecosystem. With Sui processing an impressive $412 billion in combined stablecoin transfer volume between August and September 2025 alone, a native stablecoin ensures that fees and economic benefits are retained within the Sui ecosystem, fueling growth and investment programs rather than flowing to third-party issuers. This shift underscores a broader trend among high-volume blockchains recognizing the economic imperative of owning their dollar infrastructure.
A Strategic Partnership with Traditional Finance
USDsui is powered by Bridge's Open Issuance platform, a critical partnership that lends enterprise-grade infrastructure and significant traditional finance legitimacy to Sui's stablecoin. Bridge, acquired by payments giant Stripe for $1.1 billion, brings regulatory expertise, a massive distribution network, and established financial rails. This collaboration sets USDsui apart from crypto-native alternatives by connecting Sui's native assets directly to global commerce and traditional fintech, ensuring compliance and robust backing that appeals to a broader institutional and retail audience.
Reshaping the Stablecoin Landscape
Sui's move is part of an escalating competition and dramatic fragmentation within the stablecoin market throughout 2025. Multiple layer-1 blockchains are now launching their own dollar-pegged assets, offering diverse approaches and tradeoffs. While Ethena Labs provides crypto-native infrastructure with yield generation and PayPal expands its PYUSD to new chains, Bridge's Open Issuance platform empowers networks like Sui to quickly deploy customized stablecoins with the full backing and legitimacy of traditional finance. This evolving landscape signifies a new era where blockchains are actively vying to control and benefit from their stablecoin economies.
