Emerging Tokens Set to Shine in Altcoin Season
Bitcoin and Ethereum often dominate discussions in the cryptocurrency sphere, yet the latter half of 2025 appears poised to favor a different set of assets that are steadily gaining traction through their utility. As Altcoin season heats up, attention is turning towards lesser-known tokens such as SUI, ARB, and GALA. These cryptocurrencies, often overlooked in mainstream conversations, are gaining momentum thanks to their robust ecosystems, user engagement, and significant upcoming developments that may position them for a breakout in the third and fourth quarters.
SUI: An Underrated Layer 1 Blockchain Gaining Traction
Sui has carved out a unique niche among Layer 1 blockchains with its innovative object-based architecture and ability for parallel execution, enabling faster and more scalable applications. Although it boasts features like zkLogin and sponsored gas to enhance user experience, SUI remains less prominent in discussions compared to other networks such as Ethereum or Solana. Most current infrastructure presupposes that development occurs in isolation. In contrast, Sui’s framework encourages collaboration among users, data, applications, and agents, fundamentally redefining software functionality. By mid-2025, Sui’s total value locked (TVL) surpassed $580 million, according to data from DeFiLlama. The growing activity within its native DeFi platforms, coupled with early success in GameFi, is generating positive momentum. Notable applications like DeepBook and Navi Protocol are operational on the network, while its Move-based development environment is attracting significant attention. With a market capitalization exceeding $13 billion and a notable increase in user interactions—2.4 million engagements tracked by LunarCrush—Sui is gaining traction despite limited media exposure. Currently, Sui is trading at $3.96, reflecting a 66% increase over the past month.
ARB: A Governance Token Gaining Influence
Arbitrum stands as the leading Ethereum Layer 2 network in terms of total value locked, yet the ARB token has not mirrored this strength in market valuation. As of July 2025, ARB’s market cap is around $2.5 billion, despite Arbitrum managing over $14 billion in assets and processing significant transaction volumes across its applications. A key factor now is governance; token holders are actively participating in ecosystem decisions through the Arbitrum DAO, including a recent $200 million commitment to bolster gaming development. The introduction of Stylus, an upgrade that permits the use of programming languages like Rust and C++, may attract more developers to the platform. As the usage of the protocol expands and the DAO’s treasury oversight becomes more transparent, ARB’s value may begin to reflect its broader network impact. Following an 85% surge in the past month, driven by the Altcoin season, ARB is currently trading at $0.48.
GALA: Transitioning from Speculative Token to Functional Asset
GALA, which saw considerable trading activity during the 2021 market cycle, has shifted its focus towards establishing a comprehensive Web3 ecosystem. The token now plays multiple roles within Gala Games, facilitating in-game transactions, supporting NFT activities, and reinforcing node infrastructure. Although media spotlight has diminished since its initial rise, development within the platform remains vigorous. In 2025, games such as Mirandus and Legends Reborn are on the verge of release, while Gala Film and Gala Music are receiving backing from creators. GalaChain is progressively decentralizing, and node activity is on the rise, with GALA’s market cap hovering around $900 million. Community engagement is also on the upswing, with July recording 265,000 interactions and nearly 4,000 social mentions. Should the wider GameFi sector experience renewed enthusiasm, Gala’s multifaceted approach could regain significance. GALA has experienced a 65% price increase over the last month, currently trading at $0.02.
The Case for Asymmetric Growth Potential
SUI, ARB, and GALA present practical utility with relatively low exposure. As the market continues to gravitate toward major cryptocurrencies, these projects are demonstrating tangible advancements in development and user engagement. If investment continues to shift toward assets driven by use cases during the Altcoin season, these undervalued tokens could attract renewed interest in the coming months.
