Hedera’s native token, HBAR, has recently caught the attention of the cryptocurrency community, posting modest gains between September 11 and 12. During this trading window, HBAR climbed from $0.237 to a peak of $0.245 before settling at $0.240. The uptick in value comes amid a wave of institutional interest, spurred by developments that could lead to exchange-traded products featuring HBAR.
Institutional Interest Sparks HBAR Movement
The buzz started when Grayscale Investments announced its intention to explore an HBAR trust, a move that sent ripples across the market. On top of that, the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) added a filing for a Canary HBAR ETF under the proposed ticker HBR to its regulatory database. This filing didn’t stand alone; it was part of a series that included similar submissions for Solana and XRP, highlighting a growing appetite on Wall Street for diverse digital assets beyond the established giant, Bitcoin.
While traders eagerly responded to this news, HBAR encountered technical resistance at $0.245. This barrier prompted some profit-taking, yet the $0.240 mark emerged as a critical support level bolstered by a late-session trading volume surge that exceeded 17 million tokens. Analysts suggest that if this momentum persists, HBAR might soon challenge the psychological $0.25 threshold.
Regulatory Hurdles and Market Speculation
Despite the excitement, industry experts urge caution. They point out that while the DTCC’s inclusion of a Canary HBAR ETF filing is a promising development, it remains a preliminary step in a long regulatory process. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has yet to approve any such filings, as they continue to focus on mitigating market manipulation risks and ensuring investor protection standards for non-Bitcoin crypto assets. Consequently, the timeline for an HBAR-based ETF remains uncertain.
Nevertheless, these filings have undeniably placed Hedera on Wall Street’s radar, drawing significant institutional attention even amid regulatory uncertainties. The anticipation surrounding an HBAR ETF reflects a broader trend where institutional investors are increasingly exploring digital assets beyond Bitcoin, seeking diversification in their crypto portfolios.
Market Data Shows Institutional Trading Patterns
Intraday trading during this period showcased a $0.012 range, amounting to 4.24% volatility between the session high of $0.2456 and a low of $0.2335. The primary upward momentum occurred between the 21:00 and 05:00 trading window when HBAR advanced from $0.235 to touch peak levels near $0.245.
Volume activity during key breakout periods averaged 54.7 million, surpassing the 24-hour average of 50.1 million, indicating heightened institutional participation. The $0.240 price level demonstrated robust institutional support, with high-volume defensive trading observed throughout the session.
As selling pressure intensified near the $0.245 mark, elevated volume suggested coordinated profit-taking by institutional holders. The late-session volume surge of 17.08 million at 11:32 triggered systematic selling, leading to price consolidation around support levels.
A Balanced Perspective on HBAR’s Future
As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, the developments surrounding HBAR highlight the dynamic interplay between institutional interest and regulatory challenges. While the potential for an HBAR ETF has excited many investors, the path forward remains fraught with uncertainties tied to regulatory approval processes.
For now, the focus remains on observing how these institutional bets will continue to shape HBAR’s price trajectory. Market participants are eager to see whether the token can sustain its recent gains and possibly breach new price thresholds in the coming weeks.
In summary, the rise of HBAR amid ETF hopes exemplifies the growing interest in digital assets beyond Bitcoin. As institutional investors explore new opportunities, the cryptocurrency landscape is poised for further evolution, with HBAR positioned as a noteworthy player in this ongoing narrative.
Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.
