# Aptos and Sui See Significant Gains: A Close Look at Move Language and Ecosystem Expansion

The recent price surge of cryptocurrencies Aptos (APT) and Sui (SUI) has captured the attention of the market. Both projects are built on the Move programming language, derived from Meta’s (formerly Facebook) blockchain project Diem. Notably, these projects were developed by former Meta engineers who leveraged their experience in overcoming regulatory and technical challenges. This article delves into the characteristics of the Move programming language and the potential for ecosystem expansion of Sui and Aptos.

# What is Move?

Move is a programming language designed for issuing cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Originally developed for Facebook’s Libra (later Diem) blockchain project, Move focuses on enhancing efficiency and compatibility within blockchain networks. Despite the shutdown of the Diem project due to regulatory issues in the U.S., former Meta developers have founded Aptos and Sui, bringing Move into the spotlight.

# Technical Features and Strengths of Move

Move is based on the Rust programming language and stands out in various areas, including asset security, parallel execution, and flexible resource management. These features make Move uniquely advantageous in blockchain environments, especially for smart contracts and asset management.

## Asset Security

Move is designed to prevent digital assets from being duplicated, ensuring that each asset always has a single owner. This design prevents double-spending issues, maximizing asset safety within blockchain networks.

## Flexible Asset Management

Move provides object-oriented storage to manage resources and data effectively. This capability allows each object (asset) to be individually defined and managed concerning ownership and mutability.

## Enhanced Security through Static Analysis

Before execution, Move conducts static analysis to preemptively identify bugs and memory errors. This process helps detect potential issues before deploying smart contracts, contributing to greater network stability.

# How Does Move Differ from Ethereum’s Solidity?

Move differentiates itself from Ethereum’s Solidity by executing code directly at the byte level. Solidity compiles code to bytecode for execution on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), which can slow execution speeds. Conversely, Move executes directly on its virtual machine, the Move Virtual Machine (MVM), bypassing an intermediate compilation. This streamlined compilation method allows Move to process transactions more efficiently, with parallel processing capabilities that position it as a next-generation language driving blockchain technology forward.

# Spotlight on Aptos and Sui

Projects utilizing the Move language boast superior scalability and security compared to existing blockchains. Sui and Aptos, in particular, stand out as Layer 1 blockchain protocols excelling in parallel processing and scalability.

As of October 30, the top two coins with the highest price increases over the past three months on Upbit, a cryptocurrency exchange, are Sui ($SUI) and Aptos ($APT), rising by 196% and 55.29%, respectively. This growth reflects the anticipation surrounding these blockchains’ scalability and the Move ecosystem. These protocols are actively used in various fields, including DeFi, NFTs, and GameFi, fostering positive investment sentiment.

## What is Sui?

Sui is a Layer 1 blockchain that uses a modified version of the Move language and employs a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus algorithm. It aims to revolutionize user experience through highly scalable smart contracts and dynamic NFTs. Mysten Labs, founded by former Meta developers, spearheads the development of Sui. Key founding members include Evan Chang, former Novi R&D lead, Sam Blackshear, a senior engineer, and Adeniyi Abiodun, Novi’s former COO.

### Technical Features and Advantages of Sui

#### Object-Oriented Storage

Sui maximizes the modularity of the Move language, managing assets at the object level. This approach allows for efficient data storage and management, categorizing assets based on ownership.

#### Horizontal Scalability

Sui offers horizontal scalability, with transaction processing speeds improving as validators are added. This capability enables the network to accommodate more transactions, reducing congestion.

#### Parallel Execution Engine

Sui’s parallel execution engine processes transactions in parallel rather than sequentially, enhancing scalability. This architecture prevents network bottlenecks, akin to AMD’s multi-core CPU design.

## What is Aptos?

Aptos is another Layer 1 blockchain written in the Move language. It employs a PoS consensus mechanism and supports a parallel execution engine ensuring high scalability and security. Launched in October 2022, Aptos has issued its $APT token to expand its ecosystem. The founders, former Meta staff involved in the Diem and Move projects, aim to harness Move’s technical potential to establish an independent decentralized network.

### Technical Features and Advantages of Aptos

#### Block-STM Parallel Execution Engine

Aptos employs Block-STM, a software transactional memory approach, to process over 160,000 transactions per second in theory. Failed transactions are retried for resolution, ensuring system reliability.

#### AptosBFT Consensus Model

Aptos uses a modified Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) algorithm to achieve consensus among nodes. This model ensures stable network operations even in the presence of malicious nodes.

# Sui vs. Aptos Comparison

While both Sui and Aptos leverage the Move language and parallel execution engines, they differ in key technical aspects. Sui’s object-oriented structure allows for distinct asset management, facilitating clear ownership across various asset types. Its horizontal scalability ensures that transaction speeds increase with additional validators, enabling large-scale transaction processing without congestion. Such parallel processing and rapid transaction finality make Sui advantageous for NFTs, DeFi projects, and real-time applications.

In contrast, Aptos emphasizes stable network operations, adopting a security-enhanced AptosBFT consensus model. With 170 million transactions and 277,000 active addresses to date, Aptos continues to expand its ecosystem through stablecoin integration, DeFi, and payment solutions.

# Expansion of the Move Ecosystem

Starting with Layer 1 blockchains like Aptos and Sui, the Move language is now extending its reach as an Ethereum scaling solution. Movement Labs is developing ‘M2,’ a Layer 2 solution based on Celestia’s zk-rollup technology, utilizing the Move language. M2 aims to offer high throughput and efficient transaction processing as an Ethereum scaling solution. The project also features the Fractal module, facilitating the conversion between Solidity and Move code, easing the transition from the EVM ecosystem to the Move environment. By developing various decentralized applications (dApps) and financial solutions, Movement Labs maximizes compatibility with Ethereum, attracting new users.

# Future Outlook

As projects based on the Move language begin to yield substantial results, they are poised to establish ecosystems distinct from traditional blockchains. Aptos and Sui, in particular, have the potential to lead advancements in cryptocurrency technology while proving the scalability of the Move language. Observers will keenly watch how these projects develop the Move ecosystem in the coming years.