Bitcoin News Today: BlackRock Files HBAR ETF by August 18 as HBAR Price Rises 5.2%

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is planning to file for a spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on the Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR) token by August 18, 2025 [2]. This move marks the latest step in the firm’s ongoing expansion into the digital asset space, following its previous ETF applications for Bitcoin and Ethereum. The proposed HBAR ETF would enable investors to gain exposure to the token in a regulated and traditional investment format, without the complexities of directly holding the underlying digital asset [2].

The filing is expected to trigger renewed interest in HBAR, which has already shown signs of market responsiveness. Following the announcement, HBAR’s price increased by 5.2% intraday, with trading volumes also experiencing a notable surge. This suggests that both retail and institutional investors are viewing the development as a potential catalyst for further capital inflows into the token and possibly related Layer 1 protocols [2].

BlackRock’s initiative is particularly significant given the firm’s influence in the ETF industry. If approved, the HBAR ETF could set a precedent that encourages other major asset managers to explore similar products, thereby broadening the range of digital assets accessible through traditional investment vehicles. The firm’s CEO, Larry Fink, has emphasized the importance of integrating crypto assets into mainstream finance, echoing the trajectory set by earlier crypto ETF launches [2].

The broader market context is also noteworthy. Institutional interest in cryptocurrencies has been steadily increasing, as evidenced by recent data showing that major Wall Street firms significantly boosted their indirect exposure to Bitcoin through spot ETFs and crypto-linked stocks in Q2 2025 [4]. This trend reflects a growing acceptance of digital assets within traditional finance, albeit under a more structured and regulated framework.

While the outcome of the HBAR ETF filing remains uncertain—especially considering the SEC’s delayed decisions on previous BlackRock crypto applications—the timing of the submission suggests the firm is anticipating a more favorable regulatory environment. The upcoming hearing on cryptocurrency market structure legislation on April 9, 2025, adds another layer of uncertainty but also highlights the evolving nature of crypto regulation [1].

Some market observers have speculated that the approval of the BlackRock HBAR ETF could drive the token’s price to $3.53 by the end of 2025, though such projections remain speculative and are not supported by concrete market data [3]. HBAR, with a current price of $0.246 and a market capitalization of approximately $10.45 billion, is one of the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market value [10].

The potential approval of the HBAR ETF could have wider implications for the crypto market. It may contribute to increased liquidity and price appreciation across related digital assets, particularly if institutional capital begins to flow into the sector. Historical trends suggest that the introduction of ETFs has often served as a catalyst for broader adoption and integration of digital assets into traditional financial systems [2].

Source:

[1] title: Is Blackrock HBAR ETF hype or real? (url: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2649888668622579/posts/4156****24635245/)

[2] title: Hedera Hashgraph (HBARUSD) Message Board - InvestorsHub (url: https://investorshub.advfn.com/Hedera-Hashgraph-HBARUSD-37173)

[3] title: Mark (@markchadwickx) / X (url: https://x.com/markchadwickx?lang=en)

[4] title: Adam Back's $2.1B Bitcoin Treasury Play Set to Challenge ... (url: https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/16/adam-back-s-usd2-1b-bitcoin-treasury-play-set-to-challenge-mara-in-btc-holdings)

[10] title: U.today's Profile (url: https://www.binance.com/en/square/profile/utoday_en)