HBAR Holds $0.23 Support as SWIFT Trial and Grayscale Filings Drive 220% Volume Surge

HBAR, the native token of the Hedera network, is currently testing critical support at $0.23 following a 3% intraday pullback on Friday. Despite the dip, the token has maintained its relevance as one of the most closely watched altcoins in the enterprise blockchain space. Institutional and speculative investor interest has surged, with trading volume exceeding 80 million tokens during the August 21 session, signaling a broader shift in market attention [1].

The bullish momentum is being driven by two major developments: SWIFT’s announcement of a live blockchain payment trial and Grayscale’s recent trust filings involving HBAR. SWIFT, a global leader in financial messaging and settlement, confirmed it will begin integrating Hedera’s hashgraph-based network into its cross-border payment pilots in November 2025. This initiative aims to combine traditional financial infrastructure with blockchain technology, using HBAR as one of the settlement tokens [1]. The potential implications are significant: if successful, Hedera’s high throughput, low energy consumption, and fast finality could enable near real-time international transfers, a major improvement over SWIFT’s current multi-day settlement processes.

Grayscale, the largest digital asset manager, has also filed new trust registration documents in Delaware tied to HBAR, fueling speculation about a potential exchange-traded product (ETP) or institutional accumulation vehicle. Grayscale has a track record of converting private trusts into publicly traded funds, and these filings are often interpreted as early signals of strategic positioning for future regulated offerings [1]. The timing aligns with a global surge in crypto ETF activity, particularly in the U.S. and Asia, where interest is growing in layer-1 blockchain assets with real-world utility.

HBAR’s price action remains in a tight range between $0.23 and $0.24, with analysts closely monitoring whether the support level can hold. A sustained move above $0.24 with strong volume confirmation could set the stage for a breakout toward the $0.26–$0.28 range, a key psychological threshold for further upside [1]. Conversely, a failure to defend $0.23 could lead to a retest of $0.21, though analysts consider that scenario unlikely without a broader macro downturn.

CoinMarketCap data shows that HBAR’s trading volume on August 21 spiked by more than 220% compared to its 30-day average, pointing to increased accumulation or rebalancing by larger market participants [1]. The token has also ranked among the top 20 by turnover during select trading sessions, underscoring its growing institutional profile.

Beyond price movements, Hedera continues to expand its footprint across tokenized finance, central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilots, supply chain traceability, and ESG tracking systems. Its governing council, which includes global entities like Google, IBM, and Boeing, reinforces the platform’s institutional credibility. The native HBAR token plays a central role in network operations, including staking, governance, and value transfer, with its utility expected to grow if SWIFT’s blockchain trials transition to production [1].

HBAR’s retest of $0.23 is more than a technical milestone—it reflects a broader narrative shift. The Hedera network is moving closer to mainstream adoption, with SWIFT’s trial and Grayscale’s filings reinforcing its positioning as a blockchain-based infrastructure asset. While volatility is likely to persist, the underlying developments point to a growing institutional interest in blockchain solutions that combine compliance, scalability, and enterprise-grade utility [1].

Source: [1] HBAR Holds $0.23 Support as SWIFT Blockchain Trial and ETF Buzz Drive Volume (https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/68a86ad0fe224d6947a42591/)