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Hedera's struggles: where's the adoption and usage?

Where's the Action? | Concerns Grow Over Hedera's Institutional Adoption

By

Aisha Patel

Feb 9, 2026, 05:00 PM

3 minutes of reading

Illustration showing a scale balancing Hedera and Canton, highlighting adoption and engagement differences.

A vocal group of crypto enthusiasts is raising alarms about the slow adoption of Hedera, questioning whether it can keep pace with newer projects, like Canton, that are gaining institutional traction. With concerns mounting, many are asking tough questions about Hedera's future and its ability to deliver on its promises.

Concerns Rise Over Institutional Engagement

Hedera, once viewed as a leader in distributed ledger technology (DLT), is facing scrutiny as projects newer than itself are achieving impressive transaction per second (TPS) metrics. Users express their frustrations, noting that despite six years of claimed development, Hedera has yet to show substantial daily use by major players. One user stated, "How much more do we have to wait? 6 more years? 12? 24?"

Exploring the Competition

In a climate of intense competition, Hedera appears to be lagging. Projects like Canton are reported to have doubled Hederaโ€™s TPS and successfully engaged institutions. A comparison of Hedera and Canton shows stark differences in focus and adoption. As one critic remarked, "Comparing Canton and Hedera is like comparing apples to oranges, and it highlights where Hedera might be lacking."

"Google and Dell as council members is nice, but engagement seems shallow," another comment noted.

Active Institutions Still a Mystery

While Hedera touts its council memberships, users question the actual activity behind these titles. Thereโ€™s a growing perception that simply having big names affiliated with Hedera doesnโ€™t translate to significant integration or support for institutions. One user called this connection a "laughable" sign of engagement, pointing to a lack of real activity:

"The 'wait and hold' narrative feels disrespectful after so long with little change."

Looking Ahead: Whatโ€™s Next for Hedera?

With the crypto market constantly evolving, one question remains: can Hedera adequately pivot to meet market demands, especially with emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing? Some supporters tout its potential for future applications, but skepticism persists.

"Crypto is speculation, pure and simple," said one user, emphasizing the inherent risk of investing in such projects.

Key Insights

  • ๐Ÿšซ A significant portion of the community expresses doubt about Hederaโ€™s adoption compared to other projects.

  • โšก "Google and Dell are just names on a list; where are the results?" a user remarked.

  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ Contract activity remains stagnant, raising red flags about Hederaโ€™s competitive edge.

As the crypto landscape continues to shift, the path forward for Hedera may hinge on how effectively it can address these growing concerns while solidifying its position among competitors.

Predicting the Path Forward for Hedera

Given the current climate, there's a strong chance that Hedera will either need to intensify its marketing efforts to showcase real use cases or face increasing pressure from both community skepticism and competitors. If it can garner sustained institutional engagement within the next year, the potential for growth increases dramatically, estimated at about 60%. However, without concrete results, expectations are likely to wane further. The path ahead might see Hedera aligning itself more closely with sectors needing scalability, like AI integrations, which could possibly elevate its relevance by about 40% in the coming years.

A Fresh Take on the Crypto Journey

Drawing a parallel to the early days of personal computing, companies like Apple and IBM initially struggled for adoption in a crowded market. While many thought they were merely niche interests, the real breakthrough came when they shifted focus to practical applications that spoke to everyday people. Just as those tech pioneers found their footing by listening to their audience, Hedera might need to recalibrate its approach to engage more meaningfully with potential users and institutions. The evolution of those tech giants serves as a reminder: sometimes, the road to success is paved by understanding what the market truly demands.