Has this feature been implemented by now? Can you please give us a pointer on how to disable the hand cursor over links in Adobe XD prototypes?

that one was done

The alternate option is to have dummy hotspots that go to the same page or to nowhere.

This should definitely be an option, as during user testing it allows participants to hunt for clues. We don't want this.

For any type of prototyping that isn't web-based (e.g. for a desktop app), this is absolutely essential.

The hand cursor gives users additional feedback/visibility of affordances for what is functional in the prototype (which may be a very small portion of the application if the focus is on a single workflow).

Agree. Adobe XD is really good for click through prototypes and click through prototypes are really good for testing out specific task flows where the rest of an app/site/service is not functional. These tests succeed or fail based on whether the user tales the expected path(s) through the design. It is extremely important not to lead them through the test in order to learn if the interface itself is properly communicating the right things at the right times. In these tests, glowing hot spots and finger cursors effectively provide extra-interface guidance to the user and, in a sense, confound the test.

Fantastic idea.

I would like this to be an additional option, but maybe not absolutely linked to the hotspots being off.
If that's not possible, then I'd rather err on the side of no hints at all (so turn off hotspots and cursor changes), for sure.

Thanks!