SUI rallied again to a one-month peak, breaking above $1.44. The platform is also drawing inflows into its DeFi sector.
SUI is one of the unique platforms, offering a graph-like structure instead of a blockchain. The native SUI token broke out of its declining range, returning to the highest levels since April. It has peaked at $2.10 and the recent rally re-sparks hopes of a price discovery and a move to double-digit prices.
The SUI rally coincided with a market-wide recovery, led by Bitcoin (BTC) moving above $63,800. For SUI, the main factor was the announcement of launching native USDC stablecoins in the near future. The announcement started the rally this week, also causing a drive against short positions.
SUI has been hyped as one of the altcoins positioned to rally during a new market cycle. The asset will still need to compete with L2s and other liquidity hubs, which have already established their dominance in DEX trading, lending, and NFT activities.
Open interest for the token expanded by 30% in the past week, up to $300M. After the latest price hike, SUI traders wiped out short positions for most of the past week. There was a marked shift to longs from September 19 onward, making up more than 55% of all derivative volumes. The shift also suggests SUI may reverse direction, if traders decide to liquidate longs.
The SUI long/short ratio expanded as the price rallied above $1.43. | Source: Coinalyze
SUI trading volumes are relatively high at $709M in 24 hours, similar to the levels from the March and April rallies. The rapid asset expansion is also setting up expectations for a correction in the short term.
Token unlock may depress the SUI price
The recent SUI rally was heating up for as long as three weeks. The latest drive to $1.41 precedes a known unlock event that will dilute the circulating supply.
SUI has a total supply of 2.69B tokens, with a total supply of 10B. Until 2027, token unlocks will continue with regular new inflows. Currently, only 28% of the supply is unlocked, with most of it having flowed into the markets.
The next unlock will expand the circulating supply by 64.19M SUI, or 2.40% of the total supply. It is uncertain if the recipients will sell the coins, but the market may potentially have to absorb $82.81M after the October 1 unlock.
SUI relies on marketing to grow
The recent SUI rally follows a period of social media marketing, aiming to elevate the network to compete with the current top chains. SUI launched relatively late in 2023, when most of the positions were taken by L2 and traffic was already established on Ethereum, Solana, BNB Chain and a few others.
The SUI team will not give up and the asset keeps growing its influence on X. The token is also widely distributed, with top addresses only containing 15% of the supply. The network, however, is not as transparent as Ethereum or L2s, with no data on fees. SUI is not EVM compatible and will explore alternative methods for onboarding stablecoins. As of September, SUI carries more than $377M in the form of stablecoins, mostly on lending protocols.
The SUI ecosystem reports $830.78B in value locked, expanding from $500M in August. For now, the protocol is not considered undervalued, as its market cap above $3.6B is much higher than the value locked on the protocol.
The ecosystem hosts the NAVI protocol, a collateralized lending facility offering loans against SUI, USDC, USDT, WETH, and WBTC. The chain also hosts DEXs and smaller lending hubs, but NAVI still controls more than 40% of the liquidity.
Most of the recent ecosystem expansion comes from NAVI, which only held around $140M in value locked as of August 6.
SUI claims to have up to 1.6M daily active accounts, a level similar to TRON’s high-traffic network. There is no specific data on user count for apps, though Navi Protocol has reported up to 10K daily active users.
The biggest problem for SUI is the rapidly expanded supply. In 2023, the project started off with around 500M tokens, going through its biggest cliff unlock in April. SUI expanded its supply from around 1B tokens to 2.3B in a single event. Currently, the supply is growing more gradually, but will still grow to 3.63B in a year.
Cryptopolitan reporting by Hristina Vasileva
SUI turned into one of the big gainers in the past few days, with hopes of repeating its peak above $2. The asset may feel pressure from the upcoming October 1 token unlock.
Amazon’s journey from a modest online bookstore to the world’s largest online retailer is a narrative of innovation, disruption, and relentless ambition. Today, Amazon dominates the e-commerce landscape, setting the standard for online shopping with its vast product selection, lightning-fast delivery, and customer-centric approach. This article explores the evolution of Amazon’s leadership in online shopping, examining the key strategies, innovations, and challenges that have shaped its rise to the top.
The Early Days: From Bookstore to Everything Store
Amazon was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 as an online bookstore, capitalizing on the internet’s potential to reach a global audience. The decision to start with books was strategic; books were easy to ship, did not require much storage space, and had a universal appeal. From the beginning, Bezos envisioned Amazon as more than just a bookstore. His long-term goal was to create the “everything store,” a one-stop-shop where customers could find and purchase anything they needed online.
The initial success of Amazon was driven by its innovative approach to e-commerce. While traditional bookstores were limited by physical space, Amazon offered an extensive catalog of books that was virtually limitless. The company’s early focus on customer satisfaction, with features like customer reviews, personalized recommendations, and a user-friendly interface, set it apart from competitors.
By 1997, Amazon had gone public, and its rapid growth continued. The company began to expand its product offerings beyond books, gradually adding categories like music, electronics, and toys. This diversification was essential to Amazon’s strategy of becoming the go-to online retailer for all consumer needs. The company’s ability to offer a wide range of products, combined with its commitment to customer service, established it as a leader in online shopping.
Innovation and Expansion: The Prime Revolution
One of the most significant milestones in Amazon’s evolution was the launch of Amazon Prime in 2005. For an annual fee, Prime members received free two-day shipping on eligible purchases, a proposition that was revolutionary at the time. The introduction of Prime was a game-changer, transforming customer expectations and further solidifying Amazon’s leadership in online shopping.
Prime was more than just a shipping service; it was a strategic move to create customer loyalty. The subscription model incentivized customers to make Amazon their default shopping destination, as the more they used Prime, the more value they received. Over time, Amazon expanded the benefits of Prime to include streaming video and music, exclusive deals, and other perks, making it an indispensable service for millions of customers.
The success of Prime can be measured by its membership numbers, which have grown exponentially over the years. As of 2024, Amazon Prime has over 200 million members worldwide, a testament to the value it offers. The Prime membership model has been so successful that it has influenced the broader retail industry, with many competitors launching their own subscription services in response.
The Technology Edge: Fulfillment and Logistics
Amazon’s dominance in online shopping is not just a result of its vast product selection and customer-centric approach; it is also rooted in its technological prowess. The company has invested heavily in building a state-of-the-art fulfillment and logistics network, which has been a critical factor in its ability to offer fast, reliable delivery to customers.
Amazon’s fulfillment centers, which are strategically located around the world, are marvels of automation and efficiency. These facilities use advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to manage inventory, process orders, and ship products with unparalleled speed. The company’s ability to deliver products quickly and accurately is a key reason why customers choose Amazon over other online retailers.
In addition to its fulfillment centers, Amazon has developed a vast logistics network that includes its own fleet of planes, trucks, and delivery vehicles. The company’s investment in logistics has allowed it to reduce its reliance on third-party carriers like UPS and FedEx, giving it greater control over the delivery process. This vertical integration has enabled Amazon to offer services like same-day and next-day delivery, further enhancing its competitive advantage.
Moreover, Amazon’s logistics innovations extend beyond its own operations. The company’s delivery service partner (DSP) program has created opportunities for small businesses to operate delivery routes for Amazon, while its crowd-sourced delivery platform, Amazon Flex, allows individuals to deliver packages using their own vehicles. These initiatives have expanded Amazon’s delivery capacity and ensured that it can meet the growing demand for fast shipping.
Expanding the Ecosystem: Marketplace and AWS
Another key component of Amazon’s success in online shopping is its ability to create a comprehensive ecosystem that extends beyond retail. The Amazon Marketplace, launched in 2000, has been instrumental in expanding the company’s product selection and driving revenue growth. The Marketplace allows third-party sellers to list their products on Amazon’s platform, giving customers access to a wider range of goods and enabling Amazon to earn a commission on each sale.
The success of the Marketplace has been staggering. Today, over half of the products sold on Amazon are from third-party sellers, many of whom are small and medium-sized businesses. The Marketplace has also been a critical factor in Amazon’s global expansion, as it allows sellers from around the world to reach customers in different markets without the need for a physical presence.
In addition to the Marketplace, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has played a crucial role in the company’s growth and profitability. Launched in 2006, AWS offers cloud computing services to businesses, allowing them to store data, run applications, and scale their operations with ease. AWS has become the backbone of the internet, powering everything from startups to large enterprises. The revenue generated by AWS has given Amazon the financial flexibility to invest heavily in its retail operations, including its logistics network, Prime, and original content for Prime Video.
Challenges and Criticisms
While Amazon’s leadership in online shopping is undeniable, it has not been without challenges and criticisms. The company’s dominance has raised concerns about its impact on competition, with critics arguing that Amazon’s scale and market power give it an unfair advantage over smaller retailers. There have also been concerns about the treatment of workers in Amazon’s fulfillment centers, with reports of grueling conditions and low wages sparking public outcry and calls for better labor practices.
Amazon has also faced scrutiny over its impact on the environment. The company’s rapid delivery services, which require a vast logistics network, contribute to carbon emissions and environmental degradation. In response, Amazon has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and has invested in renewable energy and electric vehicles to reduce its environmental footprint.
Despite these challenges, Amazon continues to grow and innovate, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in online shopping. The company’s ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences, invest in technology, and create a seamless shopping experience has ensured its position as the leader in e-commerce.
The Future of Amazon in Online Shopping
As Amazon looks to the future, it faces both opportunities and challenges. The rise of new technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation will continue to shape the e-commerce landscape, and Amazon is well-positioned to leverage these innovations to enhance its operations and customer experience.
The company is also likely to continue expanding its ecosystem, integrating its retail operations with other services like AWS, Prime Video, and Alexa. This integration will further entrench Amazon in the daily lives of consumers, making it even more difficult for competitors to challenge its dominance.
In conclusion, Amazon’s leadership in online shopping is the result of a relentless focus on customer satisfaction, innovation, and scale. From its early days as an online bookstore to its current status as a global e-commerce giant, Amazon has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in retail. As the company continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly remain a dominant force in the world of online shopping, shaping the future of commerce for years to come.
