I've heard that some businesses will give a high quote if they don't really need the work due to being busy. If they get the job then they are better off anyway.
Blockchain is not the 'shiny new thing' these days, but I still see applications. We need decentralised options and Hive has advantages in cost and speed. Currently lots of people are trying new apps, often using 'AI'. We need one of those to go viral.
I think that is part of it with my friend. He always seems to be busy, so it's possible he just doesn't really want to do the job but he doesn't want to hurt my feelings. He should know he could have just told me that though. I think the open ledger part of blockchain probably has more practical applications than the decentralized nature of it, but who knows.