Wormhole Expands NTT Framework to Sui Network, Unlocking Billions in Liquidity

Wormhole, a leading cross-chain protocol, has expanded its Native Token Transfer (NTT) framework to the Sui network, marking a significant milestone in the blockchain industry. This move is set to bring billions in potential liquidity to Sui and underscores the growing importance of the Sui network in decentralized finance (DeFi) and cross-chain technology. The collaboration with Momentum, a decentralized exchange (DEX) on Sui, is the first platform to support NTT-based assets, further solidifying Sui's position in the DeFi landscape.

The NTT framework is a groundbreaking innovation by Wormhole, allowing tokens to move across different blockchains without losing their native properties. Unlike traditional bridges that rely on liquidity pools, which often result in high fees, slippage, or miner extractable value (MEV) issues, NTT utilizes a decentralized network of validators known as Guardians. This setup ensures that token transfers are cheaper, safer, and simpler, making it an attractive option for developers and users alike.

Sui, a Layer 1 blockchain known for its high performance and low fees, is an ideal fit for the NTT system. Sui uses the Move programming language and supports fast, parallel processing, making it a robust platform for building cross-chain applications. The integration of NTT with Sui's architecture provides developers with a strong foundation to create innovative cross-chain solutions. Previously, Wormhole supported Ethereum-based (EVM) chains and Solana, and the addition of Sui widens its ecosystem, opening new opportunities for cross-chain functionality.

Momentum, the first DEX on Sui to support NTT-based assets, uses an automated market maker (AMM) model to allow users to swap tokens in a decentralized manner. By integrating Wormhole’s NTT system, Momentum enables cross-chain token trading, initially supporting tokens such as Gate Token (GT), MEXC Token (MX), and Bonk (BONK) from Solana. This token lineup showcases Momentum’s strategic approach, as GT and MX are popular centralized exchange (CEX) tokens that bring in existing users, while BONK, a well-known meme coin in Solana, attracts retail traders. This mix of assets adds diversity and appeal to Momentum’s platform.

Momentum is also driving growth through rewards and user engagement. It has partnered with OKX’s learning platform to launch over $1 million in rewards for liquidity mining and trading. This effort has boosted its total value locked (TVL) and brought more attention to the Sui ecosystem. Momentum plans to support NTT-based trading pairs continuously until the bridge officially goes live in September 2025, further enhancing its presence in the DeFi space.

The collaboration between Wormhole and Sui began in late 2024, with the Sui Canonical Bridge UI providing an easy way to transfer assets. The launch of NTT on Sui builds on this foundation, adding more flexibility and efficiency. It unlocks billions in cross-chain liquidity for Sui, making it a more attractive platform for developers and users. In DeFi, NTT provides developers with tools to build products like cross-chain lending, derivatives, and synthetic assets. In the NFT and GameFi sectors, Sui’s speed and low fees make it ideal for asset transfers, and NTT will help games and collectibles move across chains easily. With Momentum and OKX’s partnership, more users are joining the ecosystem through incentives, further boosting Sui’s growth.

Sui’s technical strengths, including its high throughput and support for large-scale decentralized applications (dApps), play a significant role in its success. The integration of NTT brings in users and assets from EVM chains and Solana, helping Sui grow faster in DeFi and GameFi. Cross-chain synergy will be key to Sui becoming a major player in the industry, as it continues to attract more developers and users.

Wormhole’s NTT system is revolutionizing cross-chain transfers by offering a model that supports high-performance blockchains. Its successful launch on Sui demonstrates its potential to connect the blockchain world and enable the free movement of assets and data. In the future, NTT may expand to even more chains, further enhancing interoperability and liquidity across the blockchain ecosystem. For Sui, the integration of NTT and Momentum shows that the ecosystem is maturing rapidly, evolving from a new blockchain into a serious contender in DeFi and GameFi. Momentum’s success reflects a larger DeFi trend, where combining cross-chain technology with user rewards can lower the barrier to entry and attract more users, improving the overall DeFi experience and supporting wider blockchain adoption.

Despite the strong potential, there are still challenges to overcome. Cross-chain bridges have been a major target for hackers, and even with security audits and the Guardian network, Wormhole must continue investing in safety measures. Sui also needs better user education and developer support to grow its app ecosystem. Momentum must keep innovating to stay competitive, whether by adding new tokens or partnering with other protocols. Looking forward, the combination of NTT, Sui, and Momentum builds a solid foundation. As more assets and protocols join Sui, its cross-chain liquidity will rise, making it more powerful in the global blockchain space. This partnership is more than just a tech upgrade—it’s a step toward a more connected and open blockchain future.