HBAR Tests Key $0.16 Support as Geopolitical Tensions Spark 11% Weekly Decline
Iris Coleman Oct 17, 2025 21:48
Hedera's HBAR price finds itself at a critical juncture at $0.16, down 3.4% daily, as escalating geopolitical tensions and regulatory concerns drive sustained selling pressure across crypto mark...

Quick Take
• HBAR trading at $0.16 (down 3.4% in 24h) • Geopolitical tensions and regulatory scrutiny driving sustained selling pressure • Testing critical support at lower Bollinger Band around $0.16 • Following broader crypto weakness as Bitcoin correlations remain elevated
Market Events Driving Hedera Price Movement
The most significant catalyst weighing on HBAR price action this week has been the escalation of geopolitical trade tensions coupled with increased regulatory scrutiny, leading to an 11% decline that has brought Hedera's native token to a critical support test at $0.16. This selling pressure represents a sharp reversal from early October's momentum, when HBAR had staged a notable recovery rally of over 3% driven by ETF speculation and growing institutional interest.
The current market environment reflects broader risk-off sentiment affecting cryptocurrency markets, with investors retreating from risk assets amid uncertainty surrounding regulatory frameworks and international trade dynamics. The sustained selling pressure has pushed HBAR price below multiple key moving averages, signaling a shift in market structure that traders are closely monitoring.
Trading volume on Binance spot markets has surged to $46.9 million over the past 24 hours, indicating heightened interest as the token approaches what many technical analysts view as a make-or-break support level.
HBAR Technical Analysis: Critical Support Test
Price Action Context
HBAR price currently sits precariously below all major moving averages, with the token trading at $0.16 against a 7-day SMA of $0.18, 20-day SMA of $0.20, and 50-day SMA of $0.22. This positioning indicates sustained bearish momentum, though the proximity to the 200-day SMA at $0.20 suggests potential for a technical bounce if broader market sentiment stabilizes.
The token's position at the lower Bollinger Band support around $0.16 presents a critical inflection point, with the Bollinger %B reading of 0.0792 indicating HBAR is trading near oversold levels on a relative basis.
Key Technical Indicators
The RSI reading of 33.14 places Hedera technical analysis in neutral territory with a slight bearish bias, though notably avoiding oversold conditions that might trigger automatic buying interest. The MACD configuration shows bearish momentum with the main line at -0.0141 below the signal line at -0.0106, though the histogram reading of -0.0035 suggests the rate of decline may be moderating.
Stochastic indicators present a mixed picture, with %K at 57.37 and %D at 61.49, indicating momentum oscillators are not yet confirming the price weakness seen in trend-following indicators.
Critical Price Levels for Hedera Traders
Immediate Levels (24-48 hours)
• Resistance: $0.18 (7-day moving average confluence) • Support: $0.16 (current Bollinger Band lower boundary and pivot point)
Breakout/Breakdown Scenarios
A decisive break below the $0.16 support level could trigger accelerated selling toward the $0.13 area, representing the 52-week low and potential for a 19% additional decline. Conversely, any recovery above $0.18 would need to be accompanied by volume expansion to suggest genuine buying interest rather than technical short-covering.
Upside targets in a recovery scenario would focus on the $0.20 level representing both the middle Bollinger Band and 20-day moving average, followed by more significant resistance at $0.23.
HBAR Correlation Analysis
Bitcoin's concurrent weakness has maintained elevated correlation with HBAR price movements, as cryptocurrency markets continue to trade as a cohesive risk asset class during periods of macroeconomic uncertainty. The broader crypto market selloff has provided little refuge for alternative tokens, with Hedera following the general risk-off pattern despite its technological differentiation.
Traditional market correlations have also strengthened during this period of geopolitical tension, with cryptocurrency assets including HBAR responding to the same risk sentiment affecting equity markets and safe-haven demand for assets like gold.
Trading Outlook: Hedera Near-Term Prospects
Bullish Case
Recovery prospects for HBAR price depend heavily on stabilization of broader market sentiment and potential resolution of current geopolitical tensions. Technical buyers may emerge if the $0.16 support level holds, particularly given the oversold positioning relative to Bollinger Bands. Any renewed institutional interest or positive regulatory developments could quickly reverse current momentum.
Target levels in a bullish scenario would focus on reclaiming $0.18, followed by the psychologically important $0.20 level.
Bearish Case
Failure to hold current support at $0.16 could trigger stop-loss selling and momentum-based algorithms, potentially driving HBAR toward the $0.13 52-week low. Continued regulatory uncertainty and risk-off sentiment in traditional markets pose ongoing headwinds for cryptocurrency valuations.
The technical setup suggests limited downside buffer, making position management critical for existing holders.
Risk Management
Given the current volatility environment with a daily ATR of $0.02, traders should consider tight stop-losses below $0.15 for long positions, representing roughly 6% risk from current levels. Position sizing should account for the elevated correlation environment where individual token analysis may be overridden by broader market moves.
Short-term traders might consider waiting for a definitive break of support or resistance before establishing new positions, given the current consolidation at critical technical levels.
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