Sui Blockchain Aiming for Crypto’s ‘ChatGPT Moment’

Evan Cheng, co-founder and CEO of Mysten Labs, the company behind the Sui blockchain, believes the cryptocurrency space is on the cusp of a pivotal transformation.

While speaking at the Mainnet conference, Cheng shared his vision that the “ChatGPT moment” for crypto—a breakthrough akin to how AI transformed industries—is approaching, but not quite here yet. According to him, the key to achieving this moment lies in disruptive innovation, not incremental improvements.

Cheng stated that consumers often don’t know what they truly want, referencing the famous Henry Ford quote: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” Sui’s strategy, he noted, is to cater to visionary developers who think differently and experiment widely, rather than simply building on existing technologies like Ethereum layer-2 solutions.

“We resist shortcuts,” he added, “focusing instead on authenticity and pushing boundaries.”

Gaming as a Gateway for Blockchain Adoption

One of Sui blockchain’s upcoming innovations is the **SuiPlay0X1 handheld gaming device**, set for a 2025 launch. While many see it as another hardware product, similar to Solana’s web3 phones, Cheng argued it’s the **software** that sets the device apart. “It’s a gaming device that can play all the Windows games, but what makes it better is the deep software integration. It’s a superior product because of that software magic,” Cheng explained.

As a dedicated gamer himself, Cheng believes blockchain can offer transformative benefits to the gaming world, such as anti-cheat systems, item provenance, and authenticity. Despite some skepticism from the gaming community toward web3 integrations, he feels the right game can change that narrative. “Blockchain offers convenience and authenticity that’s hard to replicate. It makes it easier to turn imagination into real gaming experiences,” he said.

Expanding Partnerships Beyond Gaming

Sui blockchain’s partnerships extend beyond the gaming industry. Cheng revealed collaborations with companies like TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and the revamped MoviePass, among others.

For Cheng, it’s not about targeting specific industries, but rather finding like-minded partners with a shared vision for challenging the status quo. “We’re not confined to a particular industry; we’re looking for partners who want to do something different,” Cheng said.

Despite Sui’s choice to develop independently rather than joining established ecosystems like Ethereum’s Superchain, Cheng remains confident. “We believe the space will grow tenfold, and the way we win isn’t by taking market share but by growing the entire pie,” he concluded.