Bitcoin News Today: Hedera (HBAR) Surges 3% on Robinhood U.S. Listing as ETF Hopes Rise

The digital asset Hedera (HBAR) has gained a significant milestone by being listed on Robinhood’s U.S. platform, expanding its accessibility to American retail investors. Previously restricted to Robinhood’s European Union clients, HBAR is now the 29th cryptocurrency supported by the exchange, joining major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum as well as meme coins such as DOGE and SHIB [1]. The listing, announced via Robinhood’s official X account, underscores the platform’s ongoing strategy to diversify its crypto offerings amid growing competition in the retail trading space [1].

HBAR’s price reacted to the news with a 3% gain in the short term, according to CoinMarketCap, despite a broader 9% decline over the past week. However, the token has surged more than 60% in the past month, reflecting renewed institutional and retail interest [1]. Analysts have linked this momentum to speculation about a potential HBAR exchange-traded fund (ETF) approval. Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas and James Seyffart have assigned a 90% probability to such a fund, which could further amplify demand by providing institutional investors with a regulated vehicle to access the asset [1].

The timing of Robinhood’s move highlights its role in mainstream crypto adoption. By introducing HBAR alongside tokens like Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA), the platform aims to leverage the token’s unique governance model. Hedera’s hybrid consensus mechanism, combining proof-of-stake with a directed acyclic graph (DAG) structure, has drawn attention for its potential to differentiate the asset in a crowded market [1].

Market observers like Javon Marks have emphasized HBAR’s technical strength, projecting a potential rise toward $0.50—a 80% gain from current levels—based on its 60% monthly surge [1]. Such forecasts, however, remain speculative and contingent on broader market conditions. Robinhood’s user base, known for driving short-term volatility in listed assets, could further influence HBAR’s trajectory. Meme coins like DOGE and SHIB have historically seen rapid price swings after being added to the platform, suggesting a similar dynamic may apply here [1].

While the ETF narrative remains unconfirmed, the regulatory landscape for crypto products has shown signs of thawing. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) recent enforcement actions against unregistered funds have paradoxically increased demand for compliant options, with investors prioritizing transparency [1]. If HBAR secures ETF status, it could follow the path of Bitcoin and Ethereum funds, which have attracted billions in assets under management by bridging traditional and digital finance.

HBAR’s long-term success will depend on its ability to maintain relevance amid fierce competition. Legacy coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum dominate institutional portfolios, while Solana and Avalanche lead conversations around scalability. HBAR’s growth will hinge on demonstrating consistent utility through enterprise partnerships or technical upgrades. Robinhood’s inclusion, meanwhile, serves as a strategic marketing win, exposing the token to millions of U.S. traders who may have previously overlooked it [1].

Sources: [1] [HBAR Listed on Robinhood U.S. as ETF Hopes Fuel Investor Optimism] [https://coindoo.com/hbar-listed-on-robinhood-u-s-as-etf-hopes-fuel-investor-optimism/].