Hedera price is seeing a strong move today as the long-awaited HBAR ETF officially begins trading on Nasdaq. The timing could not be better. While most crypto assets are either flat or sliding, HBAR price has surged by around 20%.
The main trigger is the launch of the Canary Capital HBAR ETF, ticker HBR, which started trading today, October 28, 2025. This ETF offers direct exposure to HBAR, the native token of the Hedera Network. It marks a major moment for both the project and the broader crypto ETF landscape.
What Makes The New HBAR ETF Different
The new ETF stands out because it holds actual HBAR tokens, not futures or derivatives. These tokens are stored securely with BitGo and Coinbase Custody, while pricing data comes from CoinDesk Indices. The combination ensures both transparency and accuracy.
For traditional investors who have wanted exposure to Hedera without managing crypto wallets or dealing with exchanges, this ETF opens the door. It transforms HBAR into an investable product that can be traded as easily as a stock. That means institutional investors and even hedge funds can now include HBAR in their portfolios with fewer barriers.
This is also one of the first spot ETFs outside the top-tier cryptocurrencies to hit the market. After spot ETFs for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, the addition of Hedera signals growing institutional acceptance of networks that bring enterprise-level solutions to Web3.
Why Hedera Price Reacted So Quickly
The market often responds strongly when new access points for institutional investment appear. The ETF launch gives Hedera a new wave of visibility and legitimacy. Investors now see it not just as a blockchain project but as an asset with regulated market exposure.
HBAR price spiked because the ETF means real HBAR tokens are being purchased and held in custody. This physical demand, combined with renewed interest from investors who prefer traditional financial products, pushed the price upward in a short span.
It also helps that Hedera already has a reputation for enterprise adoption. Its governing council includes major global players like Google, IBM, and Boeing, which gives it a level of trust and corporate integration that few networks can match. With an ETF now in play, that narrative gets even stronger.
How The ETF Managed To Launch During The U.S. Government Shutdown
The timing of the ETF’s debut caught many by surprise because the U.S. government is still in partial shutdown. Under normal circumstances, ETF approvals would require active oversight from the SEC. However, the launch was made possible through an automatic approval mechanism.
🚨 NEW: @CanaryFunds spot $HBAR and $LTC ETFs are now effective and will begin trading on the NASDAQ tomorrow, according to CEO @stevenmcclurg. “Litecoin and Hedera are the next two token ETFs to go effective after Ethereum,” McClurg told me in a statement. “We look forward to… https://t.co/tPjsjLEE3R
Here’s how it worked: issuers included a clause in their S-1 filings allowing the registration to go effective automatically after 20 days without direct SEC action. That legal default kicked in, allowing ETFs like the Hedera (HBAR) and Litecoin (LTC) funds to start trading even with limited government operations.
This unusual path was noted by financial journalist Eleanor Terrett, who confirmed that the 8-A filings for these ETFs were certified by the NYSE. The final greenlight came as all the required filings were completed under the existing law, making the ETFs legally ready to trade without waiting for manual approval.
What This Could Mean For HBAR Price Moving Forward
HBAR price may continue to experience short-term volatility as traders react to the new ETF. However, from a broader perspective, the introduction of a regulated investment vehicle could bring more stability over time. Institutional inflows often create consistent demand, especially when the underlying asset is physically backed.
The launch also puts Hedera in a new category of projects that have bridged the gap between crypto and traditional finance. It is not just a token for decentralized apps anymore. It is now an asset recognized by the same systems that handle global equities and commodities.
That transition could shape how investors view HBAR in the coming months. Some analysts believe it mirrors what happened when Ethereum’s ETF went live, where initial hype was followed by steady growth once the dust settled.