Home
/
Market news
/
Market trends
/

7 years of rides: market pressures and partnerships

HBAR Holders Express Frustration Amid Market Pressures | The 7-Year Challenge

By

Liam Rodriguez

Feb 1, 2026, 10:25 PM

Edited By

Liam Johnson

Updated

Feb 2, 2026, 10:55 AM

2 minutes reading time

A digital representation of Hedera's market struggles with partnership logos of Google and Dell, showing stagnant growth indicators and charts.

A growing coalition of people is voicing strong discontent regarding Hedera's HBAR token. Despite established partnerships with giants like Google and Dell, concerns rise as market values remain stagnant, leading many to question the token's long-term viability.

Partnership Dilemma: Prestigious but Ineffective

While Hedera boasts a lineup of impressive partnerships, many users argue these affiliations haven't led to the expected uptick in transaction activity on the mainnet. One participant said, "The math isnโ€™t mathing lately. We have massive partnerships, yet the price feels permanently suppressed." This sentiment underscores a critical issue: without significant transaction velocity, high-profile partnerships feel more like marketing gimmicks than pathways to growth.

"Seven years is a lifetime in crypto. Is being 'enterprise-ready' actually a bottleneck for retail price action?"

Fee Increase Worries

Concerns over Hederaโ€™s operational changes keep mounting. Following an 8x spike in transaction fees, some users expressed alarm. One comment noted, "Compared to other coins, the fees are cheap, but the increase still raised eyebrows." A sudden fee hike could deter further engagement, complicating Hedera's journey towards wider adoption.

The Kevin O'Leary Effect

Kevin O'Leary's recent pivot to Bitcoin and Ethereum has fueled skepticism among traders regarding HBAR's prospects. Some people are interpreting his exit as a clear signal that the market is growing weary of waiting for a breakthrough.

A rampant theme in the discussions centers around the notion that users may be losing faith. As one participant bluntly stated, "You should not be an investor in HBAR. Sell it tomorrow." Meanwhile, echoes of caution remain, suggesting, "This is also the argument that has been made for Ripple and XRP. Only time will tell"

User Sentiment Overview

The commentary reflects a strong mix of frustration and skepticism:

  • Many users highlight low mainnet transaction rates as the primary culprit for stagnant prices.

  • Participants express doubts about the effectiveness of partnerships if they donโ€™t result in actual transactions on the platform.

  • A few argue that slow adoption is expected for transformative technologies, but optimism is waning.

Key Insights

โ—ผ๏ธ Significant partnerships havenโ€™t yet translated to meaningful market activity.

โ–ฝ Recent fee hikes could hamper user engagement.

โญ "If these giants arenโ€™t burning HBAR for actual transactions, they are just window dressing."

As the community watches, interest in Hedera's long-term potential remains, but the prevailing sentiment leans toward caution, with many waiting for more substantial transaction volume before making further commitments.

Looking Ahead

Experts suggest that increasing mainnet transaction activities could revitalize HBAR's market standing. If large corporations start integrating Hedera's technology into substantial projects, it might boost user confidence. Yet, the ongoing questions regarding transaction speed could lead to a deeper slump in investor sentiment if current stagnation continues.