The blockchain landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, especially as the next market upcycle gains momentum. With scalability, speed, and developer adoption becoming critical differentiators, leading public blockchains are racing to define the future of decentralized applications. In a highly anticipated Twitter Space AMA hosted by the Peking University Blockchain Association (PKUBA), core contributors from Solana, Arbitrum, and Sui came together to unpack the technological innovations, ecosystem strategies, and competitive positioning shaping the current bull market narrative.
This deep-dive discussion offered rare insights from on-the-ground builders, revealing how each network is navigating challenges and capitalizing on opportunities in a crowded yet rapidly expanding ecosystem.
The Rise of Next-Generation Public Blockchains
Public blockchains have moved far beyond simple transaction ledgers. Today’s platforms must deliver high throughput, low latency, and robust developer tooling to support complex applications in DeFi, gaming, social, and AI-integrated Web3 services.
As Ethereum’s foundational role continues to anchor the ecosystem, Layer 1 and Layer 2 solutions are emerging as key drivers of mass adoption. Solana, Arbitrum, and Sui represent three distinct architectural philosophies—each optimized for performance, composability, or programmability.
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Solana: Speed and Real-Time Experience
Solana has built its reputation on raw performance. By leveraging a unique combination of Proof of History (PoH) and Proof of Stake (PoS), the network achieves sub-second finality and thousands of transactions per second—making it ideal for real-time applications like decentralized exchanges, NFT mints, and on-chain games.
According to Ynon Estop, Head of Asia-Pacific Ecosystem Development at the Solana Foundation, the network’s strength lies in its ability to deliver a user experience that rivals centralized platforms. “Users shouldn’t feel like they’re sacrificing speed or cost for decentralization,” he emphasized. “Solana proves you don’t have to.”
The ecosystem has seen explosive growth in 2025, with over 4 million daily active wallets and a surge in stablecoin usage. Projects like Jupiter, Orca, and Tensor are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in DeFi and NFTs.
Arbitrum: Ethereum’s Scalability Powerhouse
While Solana takes a clean-slate approach, Arbitrum doubles down on Ethereum’s security and developer dominance. As a leading Layer 2 rollup using optimistic scaling, Arbitrum inherits Ethereum’s trust assumptions while drastically reducing gas fees and increasing throughput.
0xchewieee, Asia-Pacific Community Manager at Arbitrum Foundation, highlighted that interoperability and developer continuity are central to Arbitrum’s strategy. “We’re not asking developers to learn new languages or abandon existing tools,” she explained. “They can deploy Ethereum-native code with near-instant finality and 90% lower costs.”
With over $12 billion in total value locked (TVL) and major protocols like Uniswap, GMX, and Aave running on its chain, Arbitrum remains a top destination for serious DeFi builders. Its upcoming Nitro upgrade further enhances execution efficiency and cross-chain messaging.
Sui: Rethinking Data Architecture with Move
Sui stands out by challenging fundamental assumptions about how blockchain state should be managed. Built on the Move programming language—originally developed for Meta’s Diem project—Sui introduces object-centric data modeling that enables parallel transaction processing.
Wangtxxl, Technical Ambassador at Sui Foundation, noted that this architecture unlocks unique capabilities: “In traditional blockchains, every transaction waits in line. In Sui, independent transactions—like sending tokens between users—can be processed simultaneously. That’s how we achieve instant finality at scale.”
This design makes Sui particularly well-suited for high-frequency applications such as gaming, social media platforms, and micropayment systems. The network also supports native assets and upgradable smart contracts, reducing friction for developers transitioning from Web2 environments.
Ecosystem Growth vs. Technical Innovation: Where Should Blockchains Focus?
One of the most debated topics during the AMA was whether chains should prioritize technical advancement or ecosystem development.
While Solana champions performance-first thinking, Arbitrum advocates for gradual evolution rooted in Ethereum compatibility. Sui proposes a middle path—introducing radical technical changes while investing heavily in grants, hackathons, and startup incubation.
Claudia, President of PKUBA, framed the discussion around long-term sustainability: “A fast chain means nothing without users. But users won’t come without compelling applications. It’s a chicken-and-egg problem.”
The panelists agreed: the winning blockchain will balance both. Technical superiority attracts developers; ecosystem incentives retain them. Over time, network effects determine dominance—not benchmarks alone.
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Key Takeaways for Builders and Investors
For developers and investors navigating the current bull cycle, several strategic insights emerged:
- Interoperability is non-negotiable: No single chain will dominate all use cases. Cross-chain bridges and messaging protocols (like LayerZero and Wormhole) are becoming essential infrastructure.
- User experience is the new battleground: Fast transactions and low fees are table stakes. Onboarding flows, wallet integration, and mobile accessibility will decide mainstream adoption.
- Developer grants matter more than ever: All three projects run aggressive funding programs for early-stage teams. These initiatives shape the next wave of innovation.
- Regulatory clarity influences design choices: As global oversight increases, chains are prioritizing compliance-ready tooling without compromising decentralization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which blockchain is best for DeFi development?
A: Arbitrum currently leads in DeFi TVL and tooling maturity, making it ideal for Ethereum-compatible financial applications. However, Solana offers faster settlement and lower fees for high-frequency trading protocols.
Q: Is Move language worth learning in 2025?
A: Yes—especially if you're building on Sui or Aptos. Move’s resource-oriented model enhances security by preventing common vulnerabilities like reentrancy attacks. Its adoption is growing beyond just one chain.
Q: Can Solana maintain its speed under heavy load?
A: Solana has significantly improved its network resilience since past outages. Features like QUIC-based transaction forwarding and stake-weighted QoS help manage congestion during peak demand.
Q: How does Arbitrum differ from other Ethereum L2s like Optimism?
A: Arbitrum uses a more advanced fraud-proof system and supports batched transactions across multiple chains. Its Nitro upgrade also brings better EVM equivalence and faster withdrawals.
Q: What types of apps benefit most from Sui’s architecture?
A: Apps requiring real-time interactions—such as multiplayer games, social feeds, or dynamic NFTs—perform exceptionally well on Sui due to parallel execution and instant finality.
Q: Are these blockchains environmentally sustainable?
A: All three use proof-of-stake consensus mechanisms, which consume minimal energy compared to proof-of-work systems like Bitcoin.
The Road Ahead: Convergence Over Competition?
As the bull market unfolds, the lines between Layer 1s and Layer 2s continue to blur. What once seemed like competing visions may eventually converge into a multi-chain internet where each network serves specialized roles.
Solana excels in performance-critical applications. Arbitrum strengthens Ethereum’s scalability roadmap. Sui pioneers new programming paradigms. Together, they reflect the diversity and resilience of Web3 innovation.
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For students, developers, and enthusiasts alike, events like PKUBA’s AMA serve as vital bridges between academic curiosity and real-world impact. As blockchain technology matures, such dialogues will play an increasingly important role in shaping informed participation across global ecosystems.