SUI's Critical $1.71 Resistance Level and Path to Recovery

The Sui (SUI) token has long been a focal point for traders and analysts, with its $1.71 resistance level emerging as a pivotal decision zone in 2025. This level, historically tested during consolidation phases in August and October, has become a structural linchpin for the asset's short-term trajectory. Technical and on-chain data suggest that SUI's ability to reclaim and hold above $1.71 will determine whether it transitions into a bullish recovery phase or faces renewed bearish pressure.

Technical Validation of the $1.71 Level

The $1.71 resistance level has demonstrated recurring significance in SUI's price action. As of late 2025, the token has formed a continuation pattern above the $1.65–$1.67 support area, with price hovering above the EMA20 and EMA50 on 4H and 12H charts according to technical analysis. Momentum indicators like the RSI and MACD have confirmed bullish strength, though SUI remains overbought, signaling potential short-term volatility. A critical test will occur if SUI reclaims $1.71, as this would validate a technical rebound and open the path toward higher resistance levels such as $1.73–$1.77.

Historical price action further underscores the importance of this level. The $1.71 zone overlaps with the 0.786 Fibonacci retracement level, which has previously acted as a strong support area, triggering multi-week rebounds accompanied by increased volume. Analysts like DaanCrypto emphasize that maintaining price above $1.71 is crucial for structural stability, as a breakdown below this level could lead to a retest of the $1.40–$1.35 range.

On-chain data provides mixed signals. Total Value Locked (TVL) in the Sui ecosystem has risen to approximately $1.19 billion following the launch of the USDsui stablecoin, while decentralized exchange (DEX) volume has surged, peaking at $806 million in June 2024. However, daily active addresses have declined to around 400k, and capital rotation into lower-risk assets suggests suppressed short-term momentum.

Exchange inflows have also shown volatility. In the past week, SUI experienced a 30.15% price surge, trading near $1.90, but a 4.81% drop in the last 24 hours highlighted liquidity fragility. A key breakout to $2.02 occurred after breaking out of a previous range, aligning with the 100-day SMA and highest volume profile point. These dynamics indicate that while SUI's ecosystem fundamentals are improving, on-chain activity remains a double-edged sword, balancing optimism with caution.

Order Book Depth and Structural Support

Order book depth analysis reveals critical insights. During October 2025 price tests, SUI's $1.71 level attracted significant buying interest, with accumulation observed between $1.71 and $1.90. This zone coincides with the December 2025 swing high of $1.78–$1.79, and a clean breakout above it would validate ongoing bullish momentum. However, broader market conditions, including Bitcoin's volatility and altcoin liquidity, could influence SUI's trajectory.

In contrast, May 2025 data showed SUI trading near $3.45 after a breakdown from the $3.65 consolidation zone. Order book analysis revealed heavy sell walls between $3.75–$3.9 and significant support at $3.40–$3.50. While these levels temporarily absorbed selling pressure, further downside remained a possibility if BTC weakened or another large-scale sell-off occurred. This underscores the importance of monitoring broader market sentiment alongside SUI-specific metrics.

Path to Recovery and Investor Implications

For SUI to achieve a sustained recovery, it must overcome the $1.71 resistance level with rising volume and confirmatory on-chain activity. A successful defense of this level could trigger a move toward $2.47, $3.69, and $4.01, which are liquidity clusters where market reactions are likely to begin. Conversely, a weekly close below $0.45 would signal a deeper period of price discovery.

Institutional adoption, including a 2x leveraged SUI ETF and a Grayscale Sui Trust, has added long-term credibility to the asset. However, these developments have not yet translated into immediate price appreciation, particularly in risk-off environments. Traders are advised to monitor confluence signals, such as price holding above key moving averages with rising volume and on-chain improvements.

Conclusion

SUI's $1.71 resistance level is a critical juncture that will shape its near-term outlook. Technical indicators and on-chain metrics suggest that a reclaim of this level could catalyze a bullish rebound, but structural support will depend on volume confirmation and broader market conditions. Investors should remain cautious, as mixed signals across technical and on-chain data highlight the need for vigilance. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether SUI transitions into a sustained recovery or faces renewed bearish pressure.