Next-Gen Blockchains: Aptos (APT), Sui (SUI), and the Future of Layer 1s

The blockchain ecosystem has evolved rapidly since Bitcoin and Ethereum first introduced decentralized money and smart contracts to the world. But as adoption grows, so too do the limitations of early networks: scalability bottlenecks, high fees, and occasional outages. To meet the demands of global adoption, a new generation of Layer 1 blockchains is emerging. Among the most talked-about are Aptos (APT) and Sui (SUI), both built with next-gen performance, security, and developer experience in mind. This article explores their origins, unique features, and what they mean for the future of blockchain innovation.

Introduction: The Layer 1 Bottleneck

In blockchain terminology, a Layer 1 is the base blockchain protocol, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Solana. Layer 1s provide the fundamental infrastructure for transaction validation, consensus, and execution. While revolutionary, first- and second-generation blockchains often suffer from scalability limitations. Ethereum, for example, has faced persistent congestion and high gas fees, especially during NFT or DeFi booms.

Developers have responded with Layer 2 solutions (like rollups) and new consensus designs (such as Solana’s Proof of History). Yet, Aptos and Sui represent something different: purpose-built Layer 1s from the ground up, designed to maximize speed, safety, and flexibility. Both were born from the ashes of Meta’s failed blockchain project, Libra/Diem, and carry forward its ambitious engineering principles.

The Origins: From Diem to Next-Gen Layer 1s

The story of Aptos and Sui begins with Diem, Meta’s (formerly Facebook’s) attempt to launch a global stablecoin and blockchain network. Despite strong technical foundations, regulatory scrutiny forced Meta to abandon the project in 2022. However, many of its core developers—who had spent years building a highly scalable and secure blockchain architecture—decided to continue their work independently.

Out of this came two separate teams: Aptos Labs and Mysten Labs. Both drew from Diem’s codebase, particularly the Move programming language, designed for safety and efficiency in smart contract development. While sharing roots, Aptos and Sui diverged in vision and execution:

  • Aptos (APT): Focused on achieving the highest possible throughput and scalability for general-purpose decentralized applications (dApps).
  • Sui (SUI): Designed to optimize for user-centric applications such as NFTs, gaming, and social platforms, with a novel object-centric data model.

This shared lineage, yet distinct approach, has made Aptos and Sui the leading faces of the “next-gen blockchain” movement.

Aptos (APT): The Scalable Workhorse

Aptos positions itself as a high-performance Layer 1 designed to support billions of users. Leveraging its Move-based architecture and parallel execution engine, Aptos claims to achieve 160,000+ transactions per second (TPS) in testing—far beyond Ethereum’s ~15 TPS.

Key features of Aptos include:

  • Parallel Execution: Unlike sequential blockchains, Aptos uses a parallel execution engine (Block-STM) to process multiple transactions simultaneously.
  • Move Language: Ensures smart contracts are safe, preventing common exploits like reentrancy attacks.
  • Low Latency: Transactions finalize in under a second, making it feel “web2-fast.”
  • Upgradability: Built-in modularity allows Aptos to upgrade features without disruptive hard forks.

Since launch in late 2022, Aptos has attracted projects across DeFi, NFTs, and gaming. However, critics argue that its adoption remains limited compared to Ethereum or Solana, and some question whether such high throughput is necessary at current adoption levels.

Sui (SUI): The Object-Oriented Blockchain

Sui, developed by Mysten Labs, takes a different approach. Instead of focusing solely on throughput, Sui reimagines how blockchain data is structured. It introduces an object-centric model, where assets (like NFTs or tokens) are treated as programmable objects that can evolve over time.

Key features of Sui include:

  • Object-Oriented Design: Data is stored as independent objects, enabling flexible interactions and efficient execution.
  • Move Language Integration: Like Aptos, Sui uses Move, but extends it with object capabilities.
  • Instant Settlement for Simple Transactions: Transfers between users can finalize instantly without full network consensus.
  • Optimized for NFTs & Gaming: Sui enables highly interactive and scalable experiences, such as in-game assets that evolve in real time.

Sui has quickly become a favorite for NFT marketplaces and gaming platforms. Its focus on user experiences could help onboard mainstream audiences who expect fast, seamless interactions without the friction of traditional blockchains.

Aptos vs. Sui: Complementary Competitors?

Although often framed as rivals, Aptos and Sui may be more complementary than competitive. Aptos excels in high-throughput DeFi applications and general-purpose dApps, while Sui specializes in user-facing applications like gaming, collectibles, and social media.

Their differences reflect the broader trend of blockchain specialization. Instead of one chain ruling them all, multiple Layer 1s may dominate in different niches:

  • Aptos: Institutional DeFi, high-frequency trading, large-scale enterprise applications.
  • Sui: Consumer dApps, NFTs, gaming, and interactive Web3 experiences.

Both share a reliance on the Move language, meaning developers can theoretically build across both ecosystems with relative ease, boosting cross-chain collaboration.

Challenges Ahead

Despite their promise, Aptos and Sui face significant hurdles:

  • Adoption: Ethereum and Solana already have massive user bases and developer communities, making it difficult for newcomers to break through.
  • Network Effects: The more developers and users a chain has, the harder it is for rivals to compete. Aptos and Sui must build strong ecosystems quickly.
  • Regulation: As US-based projects with VC backing, both may face regulatory scrutiny around token offerings and securities classification.
  • Scalability vs. Security: Delivering high speed without compromising decentralization or security remains a constant balancing act.

History shows that many “Ethereum killers” have struggled to maintain momentum, raising questions about whether Aptos and Sui can sustain long-term relevance.

The Future of Layer 1s: A Multichain World

The rise of Aptos and Sui underscores a broader reality: the blockchain future will likely be multichain. No single Layer 1 can serve every use case, from DeFi and payments to gaming and social media. Instead, a diverse ecosystem of specialized chains, connected via interoperability protocols, will form the backbone of Web3.

Aptos and Sui represent the next wave of this evolution. Whether they can secure long-term adoption will depend on developer traction, ecosystem funding, and user experiences. But their innovations—parallel execution, object-oriented data models, and Move’s safety guarantees—may inspire even more advanced Layer 1s in the future.

Conclusion: Redefining Blockchain Infrastructure

Aptos and Sui symbolize the blockchain industry’s relentless pursuit of performance, security, and usability. Emerging from the ashes of Meta’s Diem, they carry forward the vision of a scalable, global blockchain infrastructure capable of supporting billions of users.

While still early in adoption, their innovations highlight what the next decade of blockchain could look like: faster, safer, and more intuitive for both developers and users. Whether Aptos and Sui become dominant players or simply stepping stones toward even greater innovations, their impact on the Layer 1 landscape is undeniable.