Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to be at the forefront of cryptocurrency discussions; however, the latter half of 2025 is poised to spotlight a different set of assets that are quietly gaining traction due to their utility. As the Altcoin season ramps up, attention is shifting towards three lesser-known tokens: SUI, ARB, and GALA. Despite being overlooked in mainstream conversations, these tokens are backed by robust ecosystems, notable user engagement, and significant upcoming developments, making them strong contenders for growth in the third and fourth quarters of the year.
### SUI: The Overlooked Layer 1 Blockchain Gaining Traction
Sui has taken a unique approach as a Layer 1 blockchain, utilizing an object-oriented structure and parallel execution methods that enable faster and more scalable applications. While it offers features such as zkLogin and sponsored gas to enhance user experience, SUI often receives less attention compared to more prominent networks like Ethereum or Solana. Unlike many infrastructures that operate in isolation, Sui promotes a collaborative ecosystem that encourages interaction among users, data, applications, and agents. By mid-2025, the total value locked (TVL) on Sui surpassed $580 million, according to DeFiLlama, fueled by activity in its native DeFi platforms and a budding GameFi sector. Applications like DeepBook and Navi Protocol are thriving on the network, and with a market cap exceeding $13 billion and increased engagement levels—evidenced by 2.4 million interactions tracked by LunarCrush—Sui is gaining momentum despite its low media visibility. Currently, Sui is trading at $3.96, reflecting a 66% increase over the past month.
### ARB: A Governance Token Enhancing Ecosystem Control
Arbitrum stands as the leading Layer 2 solution for Ethereum, measured by total value locked (TVL), yet the valuation of its ARB token has not mirrored this strength. As of July 2025, ARB holds a market cap of $2.5 billion, even though Arbitrum manages over $14 billion in assets and processes substantial transaction volumes across its applications. A significant factor affecting this valuation is governance. Token holders are now actively participating in ecosystem governance through the Arbitrum DAO, which recently allocated $200 million to bolster gaming development. The introduction of Stylus—a significant upgrade that supports programming languages like Rust and C++—is anticipated to attract more developers to the network. As the protocol continues to evolve and the visibility of the DAO’s treasury management increases, ARB could begin to reflect its broader influence in the ecosystem. In the past month, Arbitrum (ARB) has experienced an 85% rise, now trading at $0.48, largely due to the ongoing Altcoin season.
### GALA: Transitioning from Speculation to a Robust Platform Asset
Once a popular trading asset during the 2021 crypto boom, GALA has shifted its focus towards building a comprehensive Web3 ecosystem. The token now plays several roles within Gala Games, facilitating in-game transactions, supporting NFT activities, and contributing to node infrastructure. Although media attention has waned since its peak, ongoing development within the platform remains vigorous. In 2025, anticipated game releases such as Mirandus and Legends Reborn are on the horizon, alongside growing support for Gala Film and Gala Music from creators. GalaChain is gradually being decentralized, and node activity is on the rise. GALA currently boasts a market cap of approximately $900 million. Community engagement is also on the upswing, with July recording 265,000 interactions and nearly 4,000 mentions on social media. If the GameFi sector attracts renewed interest, Gala’s versatile application could regain significance. GALA has seen a price increase of 65% over the last month, currently trading at $0.02.
### The Case for Asymmetric Upside
SUI, ARB, and GALA present tangible utility with limited exposure in the broader market. While major tokens continue to dominate headlines, these projects are making substantial strides in both development and user engagement. Should investment trends continue to pivot towards assets with practical use cases during the Altcoin season, these underrated tokens could experience a resurgence in interest over the coming months.
