I did go a bit down the rabbit hole on the creation of BTC when it was realized that the OG whales were selling their stack. I don't think the institutions taking their positions care about crypto beyond just making profits from it.

Institutions sure don't care about crypto beyond the profits they can make from it or the alternative they have to the existing system offering them ways to build new profit streams into the future.

I miss the days when many were optimistic about the tech specifically without price playing much of a factor.

Yes, that was the "romantic" period of crypto, and we won't get back there. Now realism dominates.

For Hive, I've also developed this sentimental attachment to it now, will just hold and see where it goes :)

Its best quality under these complicated times is resilience. If it makes it to the other side, Hive should be fine.