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The mixed reality of hbar: hope or hopium?

The Bleak Future of HBAR | Analyzing the Disparity Between Promises and Reality

By

Takeshi Nakamura

Nov 23, 2025, 08:50 AM

Edited By

Markus Huber

Updated

Nov 23, 2025, 07:57 PM

3 minutes estimated to read

A graphic showing logos of HBAR partnerships with indicators of performance, highlighting key collaborations like Avery Dennison and LG Art Lab

A wave of frustration is sweeping through user boards as longtime holders of HBAR voice their discontent over stalled projects and lackluster partnerships. From 2019 to 2025, many expected game-changing collaborations have failed to deliver, leading to a crisis of confidence regarding HBAR’s future.

Partnership Challenges and Missed Opportunities

Recent discussions reveal the stark truth about key partnerships:

  • Avery Dennison, once seen as a catalyst for enterprise adoption, has officially ceased using Hedera’s Consensus Service. This breakup raises serious concerns about actual enterprise utilization of the platform.

  • LG Art Lab β€” Since their NFT ambitions were announced, three years have passed without updates.

  • Hyundai/Kia’s carbon project remains grounded in the pilot phase, with no signs of progression.

  • Fresh Supply Co, labeled as transitioning to Hedera, reportedly has just moved behind the scenes and is not as defunct as initially suggested, though the user board notes it’s not front and center.

Commenters express deep concerns about the viability of these partnerships, with one stating, "The majority of projects built on Hedera have been abandoned,” a sentiment echoed by many.

The Ecosystem's State of Affairs

While a few projects reveal ongoing development, their significance is debated:

  • SaucerSwap remains the only decentralized exchange (DEX) with a value of about $100 million.

  • Stader offers liquid staking but hasn’t gained traction.

  • DOVU and Guardian, focusing on carbon-related markets, lack visibility beyond niche communities.

New comments highlight skepticism surrounding the effectiveness of these initiatives. One user pointed out, β€œIf there’s low TPS and revenue down the road, I’ll fully agree with your claims.” This view stresses a worry over what tangible results can be expected moving forward.

User Sentiments and Market Stability

Reactions to the situation are mixed, with certain community members labeling criticisms as impatience common in crypto spaces. "HBAR’s utility is being overshadowed by hype,**" asserts one defender. At the same time, a conflicting view holds that issues are valid, stating, "We won’t see transactions from these shipped projectsβ€”some were killed before deployment."

Market confusion is also rampant. Total value locked (TVL) has plunged from $213 million earlier this year to $74 million, indicating a sharp withdrawal from speculative investment. β€œ$16,000 daily token volume? That’s not thriving, that’s life support,” one frustrated contributor remarked.

Key Observations

  • πŸ”» 65% decline in TVL from January to April

  • πŸ”Ί Notable projects like Archax and others claim significant potential, yet lead to questions on actual traction

  • πŸ“‰ Daily DEX volume remains incredibly low compared to competitors

What Lies Ahead for HBAR?

Can HBAR find a way back from this predicament? The outlook remains murky as some enthusiasts cling to hope that regulatory clarity and ongoing project advancements might improve overall sentiment. However, with disparate opinions on current utility and real-world applications, many are hesitant.

The Takeaway

Despite challenges, there are shameless voices speaking out on HBAR’s behalf:

  • Underlying strengths: Users note HBAR has more payment systems than competitors like XRP with promising use cases in sectors like aviation and drone tracking.

  • Long-term speculation: As one commenter noted, waiting for the "big shake out of meme coins” could lead to a more stable situation.

  • Positive correlations to institutional adoption, given connections with major firms like PwC and Deloitte.

Yet, disillusionment lingers because without tangible progress on significant projects and partnerships, many fear continued disappointment. Investors are urged to closely monitor existing applications and innovative projects that might provide crucial utility in the coming months.