In a recent episode on his crypto-focused YouTube channel, James has shifted his focus to Hedera (HBAR), presenting a case that its unique positioning and compliance with regulatory standards could differentiate it from most cryptocurrencies in the current market cycle. The analyst juxtaposed speculative picks commonly seen in the market with Hedera’s more institutional approach, pointing out that while previous successful calls like Phantom saw significant gains, Hedera is poised for substantial U.S. deployment.
Highlighting the significance of Hedera’s ISO 20022 compliance, James noted that it is one of only nine cryptocurrencies worldwide that currently meet these standards. ISO 20022 is gaining traction among major financial institutions for payment and data messaging systems, suggesting that Hedera’s compliance places it in an exclusive category that could appeal to banks and governmental entities looking for interoperable solutions.
James detailed how the U.S. government’s stance on digital assets is evolving. Rather than questioning the validity of blockchain technology, agencies are now focused on how to effectively incorporate these solutions into existing financial frameworks. In this context, Hedera stands out as a project that has proactively considered regulatory requirements and infrastructure needs since its inception, rather than trying to adjust after launching.
He also referenced Hedera’s collaboration with the UK government in 2020, along with its ties to various EU-linked initiatives, indicating that such cross-jurisdictional relationships could be strategically beneficial as global standards begin to converge.
A defining feature of Hedera’s offering is its hashgraph distributed ledger technology. James described how its custom consensus algorithm facilitates faster transaction processing compared to traditional blockchain architectures, which is crucial when dealing with governmental or critical infrastructure deployments.
Reflecting on Hedera’s historical price movements, he pointed out that it reached a peak of $0.57 during the 2021 bull market. He suggests that current price levels remain reasonable in relation to this peak, especially against the backdrop of continuous development within the network. This makes it particularly noteworthy for investors looking to pivot from underperforming cryptocurrencies.
The analyst further pointed to the integration of blockchain technologies into the FedNow payment system as indicative of a broader redesign of payment infrastructures. He believes Hedera’s capabilities in payments and data integrity position it favorably in an environment where minimizing integration complexities while maintaining security is essential.
For crypto investors, James emphasized the importance of focusing less on short-term gains and more on identifying projects that are structurally equipped to engage with upcoming regulatory frameworks. If the U.S. and allied jurisdictions continue to solidify standards like ISO 20022 and move towards practical implementations, he asserts that only a select few networks, of which he believes Hedera is a prominent member, will be capable of participating.
Questions regarding Hedera’s current collaborations with the U.S. government were also raised in the discussion. While the video hinted at alignment with U.S. policy directions and mentioned infrastructure projects like FedNow, it stopped short of announcing any formal partnerships. Additionally, the importance of ISO 20022 compliance was reiterated, highlighting how being among a select few cryptocurrencies with this status makes Hedera suitable for integration into bank systems that follow these standards.
Overall, James concludes that amidst the evolving landscape of digital assets and regulation, Hedera’s unique technological foundation and strategic positioning may well pave the way for its future success in the rapidly shifting market.

