The price of SUI has seen a significant uptick recently, outshining XRP in terms of growth and demand. However, it’s not just the price action that’s noteworthy. In May, SUI has drawn the attention of institutional investors, marking a shift in demand that could have long-term implications for the crypto market. 

As institutional inflows flow more freely into SUI, the focus shifts from its price performance to its potential as a Web3-focused ecosystem.

SUI Sees A Surge In Demand

Institutions are increasingly flocking to SUI, as evidenced by $21 million in inflows month-to-date, making it one of the top-performing altcoins, second only to Ethereum. In comparison, XRP, historically an institutional favorite, has seen inflows of just $8.6 million in the same period.

This shift is concerning for XRP as institutions begin to focus more on SUI’s potential rather than its established presence in the market. SUI’s appeal to institutional investors is based on its scalability and focus on the Web3 space, which aligns well with current trends in decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain-based applications.

SUI’s increasing institutional inflows highlight a growing preference for projects that offer more than just financial transactions. XRP, while still maintaining institutional backing with $263 million in 2025, has not been able to capture as much attention in recent weeks. SUI’s ability to scale decentralized applications (dApps) more effectively than XRP positions it as a better choice for institutions looking to align with long-term trends in blockchain technology.

XRP Makes It To CME

One key factor driving institutions to SUI is its lack of listing on major platforms like CME, unlike XRP Futures, which further solidifies its untapped potential. XRP Futures recently launched on CME, making the token more accessible to a wider range of investors. 

However, this development also diminishes XRP’s image as an overlooked asset, giving SUI a unique advantage by remaining relatively underexposed. As more investors seek high-growth opportunities, SUI offers them the chance to get in early before the token is fully accessible on major platforms.

SUI’s decentralized, Web3-focused design also plays a large role in its growing appeal. Unlike XRP, which is predominantly centered around payment and remittance solutions, SUI focuses on scaling dApp ecosystems, a feature highly sought after by institutions entering the Web3 space. This increased focus on scalability and decentralized applications positions SUI as an ideal choice for institutions looking to diversify their blockchain investments.

SUI vs XRP – Which Has A Better ETF Prospect?

XRP has its own advantages, especially regarding the potential for exchange-traded funds (ETFs). XRP’s status as an established digital asset gives it an edge when it comes to ETF approvals. The ongoing Ripple lawsuit also seems close to a resolution, pending court proceedings, likely boosting XRP’s clean image. 

The SEC’s settlement with Ripple would increase investor confidence in XRP, giving it a stable footing in the long term. However, for the time being, SUI’s scalability and Web3 ambitions have won the attention of institutional investors, pushing it ahead of XRP in terms of demand. Nevertheless, XRP ETF will likely see the light of day first.

Furthermore, Juan Pellicer, Head of Research at Sentora, discussed with BeInCrypto the major factors that could push XRP for an early ETF.

“XRP’s decade-long trading record and early ETF filings put it first in the regulatory queue, while Sui still needs deeper liquidity and a longer track-record before the SEC is likely comfortable green-lighting a SUI ETF.”

XRP Price Needs A Boost

XRP has risen by 14% over the last 30 days, but it is still fighting against a macro downtrend. The broader market conditions make a breakout rally unlikely, with XRP struggling under resistance levels. 

The current price range for XRP is facing challenges, as a lack of bullish momentum continues to hold it back. However, if XRP follows Bitcoin’s rise and leverages its CME debut hype, it could see an increase in price, potentially reaching $2.56 and beyond. A breakout above this level would end the downtrend and allow XRP to surge higher.

But if XRP fails to breach this resistance level, it risks further consolidation. This would likely send it toward a drop to $2.12, falling through $2.27, invalidating any bullish predictions for the short term.

SUI Price Wins This Round

SUI has shown an impressive 82% rise over the past month, trading at $3.85 at the time of writing. Despite encountering resistance at $4.05, SUI has yet to see a significant correction, suggesting continued bullish momentum. 

Given the ongoing demand for SUI, its price is expected to stay above $3.59, allowing it to break through the $4.05 resistance. A breach of this level could propel SUI towards $4.35 or higher.

On the other hand, a drop below the support level of $3.59 would suggest that investors are beginning to book profits. In that case, the price could fall to $3.18, invalidating the current bullish outlook for SUI. However, based on institutional demand and SUI’s infrastructure, it appears likely that its price will continue to rise in the short to medium term.