The ecosystem can generate value several times the market capitalization of Hive. An ecosystem is useless if it's only flooded with useless Layer 2 tokens or if projects are solely focused on development funding. Instead of bringing money and value to the network, they take the development funds.
The Solana network is a prime example. What is the market capitalization of Jupiter, Orca, and Meteora tokens? These projects added value to the Solana ecosystem.
This is why (or at least the main reason) the project needs value, more than price.
Many people are unable (or unsure) to differentiate between these things.