Discussion
We're facing an unpredictable global economy and market. We know for a fact that events and activities must be planned out at least 6 months in advance, usually 12. However, at this time, no one knows what's coming. While we can't control the world, we can control Hive. For this reason, we're looking at a 5 year general strategy rather than fleshing out a single year one and to achieve this, we're endeavoring to line it up with Hive development as much as possible.
Market forecasts present a very peculiar challenge as we are currently in what's commonly referred to as a "crypto winter". It is a good time to get into cryptocurrency investments but, with prices being rock-bottom, new investors lack the confidence to do so.
At the same time, the crypto winter is not without its benefits. Competitors naturally thin out during hard times as many require strong return in order to pay staff, service operators and investors. Hive naturally has a smaller digital footprint and is more cost-effective by the virtue of being fully-decentralized. If we optimize efforts, our spending and use our resources wisely, we can persevere. That means moving steadily ahead at a constant pace but treading carefully.
What does this mean for marketing and promotions that fall under Value Plan?
Marketing and technical development are not that different. Both require optimization. We are optimizing our activities to keep a tighter control on deliverables (KPIs) and target instead of casting a wide net.
- Conference sponsorships ↓ (pivot) → Free opportunities
- Niche promotions ↓ (pivot) → Brand recognition/digital marketing
- Holistic brand awareness activities ↓ (pivot) → Partnered brand awareness activities
- Social impact projects ↓ (pivot) → Documentation & publication
The projections for 2026 can be seen on the first page of the Quantitative Review sheet.
The path forward revolves around improvement and professionalism. Doing nothing and spending nothing will not benefit us. Overspending will also not benefit us. There is no altcoin or crypto-based project that can buy itself out of the current economy.
Our focal points for 2026 remain unchanged and fall under the domain of Optimization:
- Process improvements (documentation, professional collaboration)
- Quality improvements (dashboards, SMART/Northstar)
- Efficiency improvements (CRM use, timekeeping)
We look forward to working with a reduced budget this coming year.
Notes
- We are not implementing the Timing Pilot mentioned in the previous report as all it would do is misalign the marketing roadmap from the development one and unnecessarily complicate matters.
- We are setting up multisig in the near future as a security mechanism and to improve transparency. This means that multiple Value Plan project managers will have to release funding from the wallet.
- The reduction in the projected annual budget is largely due to the significant reduction in sponsored conferences and hosted events as well as in the natural wrap-up and status change of multiple projects.
- We will keep using Plug-In Proposals and Bridge Proposals to account for any unexpected opportunities and funding needs.
- Physical promotions within Venezuela are largely on pause for the foreseeable future due to the political situation-related safety concerns. A separate update will be released when they are unpaused with relevant metrics and event details.
Quantitative Review
First, we would like to thank @Blanchy for taking the time to help with this.
Raw data reports:
Please note that part of the Quantitative Review sheet is the pivot from old and new verticals. There is some ongoing work on these verticals at this time and they may further change. For this reason, please keep the sheet bookmarked and check back to see the progress.
Overview [R]
Your Value Plan keyholders as always are 
The project scope includes promotional, marketing, impact and task-based activities that support Hive and its ecosystem as a whole. Activities may be major or minor. Project costs such as logistics and merchandise fit within the scope.
We take project management and quality control very seriously. All line items are continuously scrutinized and we employ a cyclical feedback model of communication.
[R]=Repost section for your information.
2026 Q2
Please note that this proposal has been delayed due to situations outside of our control (event changes, global instability and market volatility). We debunk the idea that any delay is caused by any individuals. Value Plan does not allow lobbying. Q1 has not seen any notable events and most expenses incurred during it have been covered from the 2025 Q4 remains.
Hive Tech Events
Location: Global
Date: Q2+
Status: Ongoing
Characteristics & Requirements:
- Tech events are smaller Hive-organized events that are conducted in professional environments with the goal to physically showcasing Hive and its capabilities to a local audience.
- 30-300 guests who are vetted as appropriate for the locale.
- Defined by Hive brand asset placement across all materials in a high-quality manner.
- Located in new, modern facilities suitable of positively contributing to Hive's image.
- May be for-profit with all profits earned going back into the DHF.
- Must use accounting sheets with explicit line-items defined.
- Example: Boundl3ss (2025)
Additional Information:
- Please see https://gitlab.syncad.com/hive/marketing/-/tree/master/planning?ref_type=heads for event definitions and relevant information.
- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PnGnr8o11xii12DrfrNK_8N491GsGTZt_IB3g0lLvpA/edit?gid=1152760254#gid=1152760254 for the Google sheet tracking format.
KPIs (SMART) centered on: Event Creation
| Goal | Deliverable |
|---|---|
| Specific | Host Hive-focused professional events for the local crypto investors, builders and integrators |
| Measurable | Attendance by a predetermined number of vetted/invited individuals (subject to venue capacity); Attendance by 90%+ non-Hive members |
| Achievable | Leverage special interest groups and crypto event services where necessary to facilitate and ensure a curated invite list; Apply lessons learned from previous successful Hive events such as Boundl3ss as templates; Streamline planning through collaboration with project managers |
| Realistic | Attendance targets set during the planning phase; Event to be confirmed only after targets are set and prospective budgets are known |
| Timely | Campaign results to be tracked live; Event to take place within a 3-6 month planning period for a small event and 6-12 month planning period for a large event |
KPIs (SMART) centered on: Partnership and Investment
| Goal | Deliverable |
|---|---|
| Specific | |
| Measurable | At least one functional partnership or integration per event; 50%+ of non-Hive attendees to create Hive wallets; 25%+ of created Hive wallets to be funded through the owner's purchases of HIVE or HBD (powered up where applicable) |
| Achievable | Apply the new CRM to track connections for follow-up to ensure no connections are lost; All connections are to be promptly recorded and entered into the system |
| Realistic | .. |
| Timely | .. |
Note:
Use the locations we already paid for or have scheduled in. You may use them by adding onto them.
If you are interested in heading such an event in your area, please contact us. Please remember that all Hive Tech Events are volunteer engagements.
Paid Ads Split Between Hive DApps & VP
Location: Digital
Date: Q2-Q4
Status: Initiating
VP aims to introduce a shared-cost advertising model in order to encourage Hive dapps to undertake digital promotional initiatives.
- 50/50 split between VP and participating Hive DApps.
Example:
- Total budget: $1,000 → $500 from Value Plan, $500 from the partner dApp (not from the DHF).
Definition of Dapp:
- A Hive-based application, game, service or tool with a unique frontend/website/mobile store page.
Requirements for DApps:
- Address existing engagement and/or onboarding obstacles directly.
- Ensure that the dapp is ready, functional, secure, and without bugs.
- Produce a comprehensive campaign outline with graphics, wording, and other elements pre-defined.
- Ensure that the Hive logo, link and name are represented in the ads. No other blockchains should be advertised in the same campaign.
- Specify onboarding funnel and user journey.
- Specify KPIs (use template below).
Unsuitable Dapps:
- Dapps that are incomplete or have just been created as MVPs as part of Hive hackathons.
- Dapps that have a DHF proposal out with "marketing" specified as part of their proposal budget.
- Dapps that run primarily on another blockchain and are lightly integrated with Hive.
Note:
- Dapp integration/partnership agreements do not qualify for the split.
- This is an initiative for digital marketing only.
- The cost of creating the ad is not included and is the responsibility of the dapp.
- Ads have to be tasteful, non-political, and positively represent Hive.
- Where the ads sell a product, profits are to be deposited back into the DHF (if the dapp is a DHF recepient) or detailed accounting is to be submitted (if the dapp receives no other funding) for their use.
- Hive social media platforms (X 'hiveblocks', etc.) may be leveraged as needed.
KPI Template:
**KPIs (SMART) centered on:**
|Goal|Deliverable|
| --- | --- |
|Specific| .. |
|Measurable| .. |
|Achievable| .. |
|Realistic| .. |
|Timely| .. |
Q2+ Schedule
University event
Location: Croatia
Date: TBC, Q2-Q3
Status: Executing
Hive will be represented by Mirna (rally team) at a university conference.
This is an opportunity organized by Mirna that she explicitly designed to be a cost-free event for Hive.
(No KPIs at this time due to the novelty of the event.)
CMC + Social KOLs Collaboration
Location: Digital
Date: Q2+
Status: Initiating
Utilize CoinMarketCap socials and CMC KOLs to amplify Hive’s exposure focusing purely on Hive token sale and ecosystem attention. Please note that the scheduling of this activity significantly depends on the schedule of CMC updates and their application, some of which is out of our hands.
• Underexplored promotional venue for Hive.
• By far the most visited landing page for the Hive ecosystem.
• KOL costs on CMC are significantly lower than other platforms.
• Audience quality is exceptionally high, users inherently crypto-native, investment-minded, and looking for opportunities.
Prospective Budget: 20,000 HBD total.
KPIs for this will be tailored to the individual initiatives and cannot be projected at this time.
Exchange/Partner Collaboration
Location: Digital (EN and ES)
Date: Q2+
Status: Continuing
Process:
- Conduct a series of joint marketing events, AMAs, Spaces, and general digital promotional activities
- Present Hive in a professional and uniform manner while promoting distinct listings
- Ensure that proper resources are available ahead of time so that activities can be scheduled without undue delays
Digital Marketing
Location: Digital (EN and ES)
Date: Q2+
Status: Continuing
Process:
- Develop and launch a comprehensive marketing strategy with quality brand assets and a united vision
- Present and represent Hive in a professional and uniform manner throughout any campaigns
- Focus on supporting the Hive community and ecosystem through a balanced representation
- Focus on timely and relevant messaging around AI themes and Hive being excellent to develop on
Wrestlefest (Name TBC)
Location: Williston, ND, USA
Date: TBC
Status: Executing
This event is currently awaiting venue confirmation. It will have a separate post once the date of the event(s) is known. The date had to shift due to circumstances beyond our control. We are currently attempting to craft multiple events for maximum impact out of a single event. The fact that the event is in a smaller town allows us more flexibility than when it comes to events in major cities.
The Wrestlefest is a Plug-In Proposal project that has already passed last year. There is NO additional ask in this proposal. It is mentioned as it is on the schedule. This event sells tickets.
BuzzParty (Hive Open Days), Spain
Location: Alicante, Spain
Date: April 30 - May 3, 2026
Status: Executing
BuzzParty is a multi-day social event that takes place in different cities every year (Graz in 2025, Hamburg in 2024) as a cross between a social event and a conference. Community members will be joined by non-Hivers for a schedule of learning, connection and collaboration.
KPIs (SMART) centered on: Attendees
| Goal | Deliverable |
|---|---|
| Specific | Attract 50 attendees from Hive and outside (50/50) |
| Measurable | Track 25 Hive attendees + 25 non-Hive attendees; Create 15+ new Hive accounts; Encourage at least one post per user about the event |
| Achievable | Leverage existing Hive community, proven marketing experiences from Hamburg and Graz events, web3 community connections of Hive España |
| Realistic | Build on successful previous editions and utilize buzzparty expertise and community connections, work within available budget and 3-month preparation timeline |
| Timely | Marketing campaign: January-April 2026 Technical setup: April 29, 2026 On-site setup: Morning of April 30, 2026 Event execution: Afternoon of April 30 - May 3, 2026 Post-event analysis: End of July 2026 Continuous support of onboarded users |
KPIs (SMART) centered on: Content & Media Coverage
| Goal | Deliverable |
|---|---|
| Specific | Produce event documentation through blog posts, livestreams, and video highlights to maximize reach and create lasting resources |
| Measurable | Publish additional 4 blog posts about event details; Stream 6+ main sessions with <5min downtime; Create 3 highlight videos; Create 6+ shorts |
| Achievable | Utilize established multi-camera streaming/recording setup, editing expertise, 3speak platform integration, live translations/post-editing captions, existing Hive audience base and web2 social media channels, collect media from attendees in one cloud folder |
| Realistic | Build on proven video production workflows from previous projects, allocate 2-3 hours weekly for content, leverage buzzparty team's content creation experience |
| Timely | Blog posts: 1-2 per month January-April 2026 Livestream tech testing: April 1-14, 2026 Live streaming: May 1, 2026 Final event recap: June 1, 2026 Highlight videos: End of June 2026 |
KPIs (SMART) centered on: Community Impact & Onboarding
| Goal | Deliverable |
|---|---|
| Specific | Successfully onboard new users to Hive ecosystem and encourage meaningful connections beyond the event |
| Measurable | Create 15+ new Hive accounts during event; Achieve 80% of new users publishing their first post within 7 days; Generate 50+ event-related posts from attendees; Facilitate 2+ documented project collaborations; Maintain 60% new user activity rate at 30 days post-event |
| Achievable | Provide on-site onboarding support and beginner workshops, mentorship pairing with community builders, and follow-up communication channels |
| Realistic | Leverage experience from community building and Hive attendees, allocate team members for onboarding support, gather/create simple step-by-step guides, offer continuous support infrastructure |
| Timely | Onboarding materials ready: April 20, 2026 On-site workshops: April 30-May 1, 2026 First post encouragement: During event + May 4-10, 2026 Week 1 check-in: May 10, 2026 Month 1 check-in: June 3, 2026 Ongoing support: Continuous through June 2026 |
KPIs (SMART) centered on: Marketing & Outreach
| Goal | Deliverable |
|---|---|
| Specific | Execute multi-channel marketing campaign to reach both Hive community and external web3/tech audiences in Spain and Europe |
| Measurable | Generate 3+ meetup website entries and 3+ local event website entries; Place 1000 flyers and 5 posters in and around Alicante; Secure 1-2 project collaborations, each creating 1+ promotional post to their community; Achieve 25+ registrations through event websites |
| Achievable | Leverage Hive España's local connections, buzzparty's marketing experience, and established relationships with web3 communities |
| Realistic | Build on proven promotional strategies from Hamburg and Graz events, allocate consistent effort across 3-month campaign period, utilize existing content creation capabilities |
| Timely | Website launch: October 26, 2025 Campaign kickoff: February 1, 2026 Meetup/event website listings: February-March 2026 Flyer/poster distribution: March-April 2026 Final speaker/session announcements: March 2026 Event updates: April 30-May 3, 2026 Thank you/recap posts: May 4-10, 2026 |
Prospective Budget: 12,000 HBD total (9,000 HBD outstanding.)
Young Art Fair, Poland
Location: Poland, multiple locations
Date: 2026
Status: Ongoing
The artistic event plans for 15 events across major cities in Poland. Hive is a returning partner and the YAF team is already familiar with it. The initiative is aimed at introducing Hive to artists and art lovers and growing the Hive artistic end-user community.
Key points for 2026:
Hive will keep logo and roll-up placement at fairs, but in a maintenance / passive mode:
- No active initiatives or heavy involvement required.
- Occasional small visits are possible, but no responsibilities beyond the agreed package.
- Additional promotional options possible.
Proposed Yearly Plan & Budget (With Brackets)
| Item | Frequency | Price per Event | Total Value (Estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logo on Posters + Roll-Up | All 15 fairs | $150 | $2,250 |
| Community Competitions | 4 major events | $250 | $1,000 |
| Messages to Exhibitors | 4 events | $150 | $600 |
| Additional Promo Activities | Annual | N/A | $1,000 |
Prospective Budget: 5,100 HBD estimate + expenses.
Hive will act as a Passive / Community Partner in 2026, keeping presence and visibility with optional add-ons, for a total budget of ~$5,100 plus expenses. This allows us to stay involved without over-committing, while retaining access for future opportunities.
KPIs (SMART) centered on: Passive Events
| Goal | Deliverable |
|---|---|
| Specific | Maintain the partnership without overextending resources; Build on foundations from 2025 for long-term visibility and potential; Set a standard for community-based support, rather than full commercial sponsorship |
| Measurable | Participate in 15 scheduled YAF events |
| Achievable | Leverage passive participation through attractive branding to draw in attendees; Leverage active participation where necessary; Craft engaging community competitions for participants |
| Realistic | Keep energy and time manageable while ensuring HIVE remains associated with the art community |
| Timely | Follow YAF pre-scheduled events |
India Holistic Strategy
This is a Strategy and NOT specific events. The events feed into the above Hive Tech Events section.
Location: India, multiple locations
Date: 2026
Status: Initiating
Stream 1
Onboard writers to Hive. Have them use our chain to copyright their creation and share their content through various Hive frontends.
Target: Professional writers who have been recognized on a national level through having participated in a nation-wide event. They are established and upcoming writers looking to copyright their creation.
Process: Hold Online and Offline meet-ups where we teach them ins and outs of posting on Hive. Instead of telling them that they can earn by publishing their content on Hive, we will be telling them that they can create their own identity on blockchain and use it as a way to copyright their creation.
KPI methodology:
- Track number of registrations on Luma
- Track accounts created using creation codes of
- Track account activity in the span of 1 month, 3 months and 6 months.
Stream 2
Host hackathons to bring new projects on Hive (ie. using Magi, using HAF, using AI, etc) or have existing projects integrate themselves to our chain.
Target: Young web3 developers, developers who have already built a dApp on other chains.
Process:
- Hold Online and Offline hackathons
- Partner with different educational institutions to host hackathons
KPI methodology:
- Track number of registrations on Luma
- Track accounts created using creation codes of
- Track the number of projects submitted and their quality
- Track projects's development in a span of 1 month, 3 months and 6 months.
Stream 3
Make Hive chain the first blockchain for undergrads who are starting to explore web3.
Target: 1st and 2nd year college students
Process:
- Hold Online and Offline web3 classes
- Follow a standard curriculum and issue certificates on completion of Hive course.
KPI methodology:
- Track number of registrations on Luma
- Track accounts created using creation codes of
- Track live class attendance
Stream 4
Network with BDs, KOLs and Investors and have them talk about Hive without having to pay them anything.
Target: Web3 investors, BDs and KOLs active in crypto space
Process:
- Attend 2 major web3 conferences in India
- Approach the target and talk to them individually about Hive
- Invite them to Hive events
KPI methodology:
- Guide them on how to buy HIVE/HBD and track their account activity
Reserves, Prepayments and Funds Due
There are amounts due in relation to 2026 Q1 activities and any maintenance of Hive assets and similar. These are small amounts (some of which have been paid out of pocket so far), some that have been bridged, and some where the vendor allowed us extra time. There are also pre-payments that will become due for Q3 and Q4 events (such as HF should it be planned within the time period). These are likewise relatively contained. Pre-payments mean we avoid larger bills later on for static annual events such as Hive Fest.
Proposal
This Value Plan budget for Q2 (partial Q3) is asking for a total of 80,000 HBD in two installments.
The first installment is 40,000 HBD which is to take 4 days to fill.
The second installment will be put up in May and complete the budget. The budget may change, although not significantly due to the lack of major conferences. The second installment is largely for HF down-payments.
The reason for the installments is to have enough of a gap in funding to allow any other proposals to come in without having to wait for the completion of the Value Plan budget. It is recognized that stakeholders will have to revisit the proposal system twice.