Bitcoin and Ethereum often dominate discussions in the cryptocurrency landscape; however, the latter part of 2025 is poised to favor a different category of assets that are steadily gaining recognition for their utility as Altcoin season heats up. As investments begin to flow into tokens that integrate infrastructure, governance, and practical applications, three lesser-known contenders are emerging: SUI, ARB, and GALA. Despite their frequent omission from mainstream conversations, these tokens boast promising ecosystems, user metrics, and significant upcoming milestones that could facilitate a breakout in the third and fourth quarters of this year.
### SUI: The Underestimated Layer 1 Gaining Users
Sui has adopted a unique strategy within the Layer 1 blockchain space. Its object-oriented framework and ability to execute tasks in parallel allow for quicker and more scalable applications. Although Sui offers features like zkLogin and sponsored gas to enhance user interactions, it remains less prominent compared to other networks such as Ethereum or Solana. Most infrastructure today operates under the assumption that developers are working in isolation. In contrast, the Sui Stack emphasizes collaboration among users, data, applications, and agents, fundamentally rethinking software functionality. By mid-2025, Sui’s total value locked (TVL) surpassed $580 million, according to DeFiLlama. The traction observed in its native DeFi platforms and early success in GameFi are contributing to its upward momentum. Active applications such as DeepBook and Navi Protocol are reinforcing this growth, while its Move-based development environment is attracting targeted interest. Currently, Sui has a market cap exceeding $13 billion and is witnessing heightened engagement, with 2.4 million interactions documented by LunarCrush. Sui’s price has reached $3.96, marking a 66% increase over the past month.
### ARB: A Governance Token Gaining Strategic Control
Arbitrum stands out as the leading Ethereum Layer 2 network in terms of total value locked (TVL), yet the valuation of its ARB token has not mirrored this strength. As of July 2025, ARB’s market cap sits at $2.5 billion, despite Arbitrum safeguarding over $14 billion in assets and managing significant volumes across its applications. A pivotal factor now is governance; token holders are actively participating in steering ecosystem decisions via the Arbitrum DAO, including a recent allocation of $200 million aimed at bolstering gaming development. The introduction of Stylus, an enhancement that permits the use of programming languages such as Rust and C++, may further attract a wider range of developers. As protocol application expands and the DAO’s treasury oversight becomes more transparent, ARB’s value could begin to align more closely with its broader network influence. Recently, Arbitrum (ARB) experienced an 85% surge in value over the past month, trading at $0.48, propelled by the Altcoin season.
### GALA: From Speculative Token to Platform Asset
GALA, which gained considerable traction during the 2021 market cycle, has shifted its focus towards establishing a comprehensive Web3 ecosystem. The token now serves various functions within Gala Games, including facilitating in-game payments, supporting NFT transactions, and underpinning node infrastructure. Although media attention has waned since its initial rise, development within the platform remains robust. In 2025, several games, including Mirandus and Legends Reborn, are on the brink of release, while Gala Film and Gala Music are garnering support from creators. The decentralization of GalaChain is progressing steadily, and node activity is on the rise. Currently, GALA boasts a market cap of approximately $900 million, with community engagement showing positive trends; July recorded 265,000 interactions and nearly 4,000 social mentions. Should the broader GameFi sector regain interest, Gala’s multi-faceted approach may see renewed significance. GALA’s price has climbed 65% in the last month, now trading at $0.02.
### The Case for Asymmetric Upside
SUI, ARB, and GALA present practical utility with relatively low exposure. While the broader market remains fixated on major cryptocurrencies, these projects are making tangible strides in both development and user engagement. If investment continues to pivot toward assets driven by real-world applications during the Altcoin season, these undervalued tokens could see a surge in interest in the forthcoming months.
