Ecosystem Overview
Sui's DeFi ecosystem is smaller and younger than Ethereum's, which makes it ideal for airdrop farming. The chain uses Move language like Aptos, but Sui's object-based architecture (distinct from account-based systems) gives developers different tools. This means protocols feel fresher and less saturated with farmers. Cetus dominates DEX volume, NAVI Protocol handles lending/borrowing, and Scallop offers yield farming and lending. These three protocols have launched tokens and established farming reward programs, making them your baseline interactions.
TVL sits well below $500M, a fraction of Ethereum or Polygon. This is your advantage: fewer farmers, less competition for airdrops. New protocols launch constantly on Sui—recent additions include Aftermath Finance (DEX aggregator) and BlueMove (NFT marketplace). The chain's low transaction costs (fractions of a cent) mean you can farm aggressively without gas bleeding your returns. Sui's 2024 focus on gaming and DeFi expansion signals more airdrops incoming. Your edge here is speed: protocols without tokens yet (check DeFi Llama's Sui rankings) are actively seeking engaged users before their token launch.
Farming Strategy
Start by installing Sui Wallet, bridging $200-500 worth of SUI from a CEX, and immediately deploying across the three core protocols: swap 30% on Cetus, deposit 40% in NAVI's lending pool, and yield farm the remaining 30% on Scallop. This spreads your risk and captures three separate airdrop signals. Run these interactions weekly—swap even small amounts, move positions between pools, and claim rewards on schedule. Consistency matters more than capital size for airdrop qualification. After two weeks, identify the next tier of protocols: Aftermath Finance, BlueMove, and any new launches with point systems. Allocate fresh capital or rebalance from lower-priority positions into high-signal protocols (those with public testnet phases or announced token plans).
Timing is critical on Sui. Token launches often come 6-12 months after mainnet protocol launches. NAVI and Scallop both rewarded early liquidity providers heavily. Track Sui ecosystem announcements on Discord and Twitter for "points program" or "incentive campaign" language—these are airdrop signals. Don't chase TVL; chase user activity and governance participation. Participate in governance votes, use multiple wallet addresses (Sui's low gas makes this viable), and diversify across lending, swapping, and yield farming mechanics. The window before a token launch is typically 8-16 weeks of active farming to secure meaningful allocation.
