Bitcoin are stored in blockchain, if hardware wallets/non custodial wallets became unusable, it means the blockchain are no longer safe, if that happens, Bitcoin won't survive at all.
If you're mean about specific hardware wallets, it won't be enough to ruin Bitcoin because we still have an option to create DIY wallets.
This is interesting and correct- BTC are technically stored in the blockchain and we have our corresponding seed phrases as a backup for most wallets.
Assuming that all hardware wallets are gone, then we can technically transfer our BTC to exchanges. However if we are talking about the blockchain and on how it became infected with hacks, then BTC would long be gone due to its ultimate purpose destroyed.
If hardware wallets became unusable, would confidence in Bitcoin weaken, or would people adapt with new storage methods? Is this even a possibility ?
bitcoin doesn’t depend on hardware wallets to exist... they are just one of the safest ways people use today to protect their coins.. if all hardware wallets stopped working tomorrow people would just fall back to other options like paper wallets, mobile apps, multisig or even new types of devices that would come out quickly.. bitcoins strength is in its network & rules not in one specific tool.. it might cause some short term confusion but long term people would adaptI also agree with you.
With all the years of spending time in this forum, almost all of my BTCs are storked in both software wallets and exchanges. Even if hardware wallets are gone, you can still use BTC but there will be a compromise in its safety.