Should You Buy NEAR Protocol in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been monitoring the evolution of the NEAR Protocol cryptocurrency for over three years. Each month, over a million users in the US trust us to analyze market trends and identify the best investment opportunities. Our analyses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. In line with our ethical charter, HelloSafe has never purchased NEAR Protocol nor received compensation from any entities associated with its ecosystem.

NEAR Protocol in brief

How much does 1 NEAR Protocol cost?

The price of NEAR Protocol is down this week. As of today, NEAR trades at $2.49, reflecting a 2.78% drop in the last 24 hours and a 9% decline over the past week. Its market capitalization stands at $3.04 billion, with a three-month average daily trading volume of approximately $138.67 million. NEAR is currently ranked #33 by market cap, with 1.22 billion tokens in circulation and a market dominance of about 0.22% among all cryptocurrencies. Although the market is showing short-term volatility, the ongoing innovations and growing adoption around NEAR suggest there could be dynamic opportunities ahead for investors.

Our complete review of the NEAR Protocol crypto

Have the recent evolutions in NEAR Protocol, juxtaposed with its last three years of on-chain development and price cycles, created an inflection point for crypto investors? By cross-analyzing technical indicators, transparent market data, and the swiftly shifting Layer-1/AI landscape—synthesized via proprietary algorithmic models—we have built a comprehensive view of NEAR’s current position. So, why might NEAR Protocol emerge again in 2025 as a strategic entry point in the decentralized AI and Layer-1 blockchain space?

Recent Performance & Market Context

Price Evolution

NEAR Protocol’s price as of June 2025 stands at $2.49 USD, reflecting a year marked by volatility and sector-wide profit-taking. Despite a 9% weekly retracement and a broader correction of nearly 88% from its $20.42 all-time high (January 2022), NEAR’s price appears to have found a robust anchor in the $2.48–$2.51 region—a critical multi-month support that aligns with institutional accumulation trends during prior market resets.

Positive Recent Developments

While the short-term sentiment has skewed bearish (as underscored by a 10-place drop in CoinMarketCap ranking and a negative 24h/7d trend), fundamentals paint a different picture. Q4 2024 saw NEAR Protocol’s network revenue climb to $2.11 million (+26.81% QoQ), with daily transaction counts surging to 7.4 million (+7.95%) and active wallet addresses increasing 15.82% QoQ. These metrics highlight a divergent strength between user adoption and price performance—a classic precedent for bottom-formation phases in Layer-1 tokens.

On the development side, NEAR’s rollout of Nightshade 2.0 (driving a 400% increase in transaction throughput), the expansion of AI-native toolkits (NEAR Intents, AI Research Hub), and multi-wallet/EVM compatibility upgrades have collectively pushed the ecosystem to the forefront of the decentralized AI and chain abstraction narratives.

Macro & Sector Tailwinds

The 2025 macro environment is bolstering crypto as an innovation haven, given ongoing regulatory clarity in the US and renewed institutional flows into digital assets embracing real-world use cases, such as decentralized AI and enterprise-grade blockchains. NEAR, as a top-33 asset with a multi-billion market cap and strong DeFi/AI growth, may be uniquely poised to benefit from these secular adoption trends.

Technical Analysis

Key Crypto Indicators

• RSI (14d): Currently at 47.56, suggesting NEAR is in a neutral-bearish regime but edging closer to a potential reversal zone (RSI
• Moving Averages: Over 92% of short- and medium-term moving averages flash bearish; this can often signal exhaustion, especially when price consolidates above structurally resilient supports.
• Pattern Analysis: The recent "death cross" and persistent MA resistance might prompt caution in the ultra-short term, but similar set-ups in prior crypto cycles have preceded significant recovery rallies once broad sentiment pivots.

Support Levels & Potential Reversal Signals

• Primary Support: $2.48–$2.51 remains a defendable floor; spot volumes in this band are consistent with accumulation zones where long-term investors have historically repositioned.
• Resistance Zones: $2.56 (minor), $3.00 (major, psychological), then $4.40—breaching these could unlock a renewed positive price momentum.
• Momentum Outlook: While an immediate reversal isn’t indicated, on-chain activity and historical overextension to the downside suggest a fertile ground for medium-term mean reversion.

Fundamental Analysis

Growing Adoption & Strategic Partnerships

Despite technical softness, NEAR Protocol’s fundamental drivers remain compelling:

• Ecosystem Growth: Over 50 teams now actively build AI-native applications on NEAR, fueled by the protocol’s modular architecture and developer-friendly environment.
• Enterprise Validation: Partnerships with Deutsche Telekom (Enterprise Node Operators), NTT DATA (decentralized data sovereignty/AI), and integrations with projects like Infinex establish NEAR’s institutional relevance and future-proof positioning.

Attractive Relative Valuation

• Market Cap/Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV): With an FDV moderate relative to peer Layer-1s and no maximum supply cap (but modest actual inflation at 5%), NEAR offers a risk-reward profile that contrasts favorably versus other high-growth, high-valuation competitors.
• TVL & Stablecoin Growth: Despite recent TVL ($240M) and DeFi retracements, NEAR’s largest money markets (Burrow) have grown TVL by over 50% QoQ, and stablecoin market cap (+880% YoY) signals organic demand and liquidity.
• Volume/Liquidity: With an average 24h trading volume above $138M and wide exchange coverage, NEAR demonstrates robust market confidence and the liquidity pillar necessary for meaningful price moves.

Structural Strengths & Market Differentiation

• Technological Innovation: NEAR’s thresholded Proof-of-Stake (TPoS/Doomslug), aggressive sharding roadmap (10 shards by 2025), and cross-chain abstraction distinguish it technically from over-saturated Layer-1 competition.
• Community & Tokenomics: Nearly half the supply is staked (49.08%), with attractive staking rewards (8.95% nominal, 4.5% real). The dynamic fee burn model ensures continuous supply pressure, and governance remains transparent via the Swiss-based NEAR Foundation.

Dominance in Sector

NEAR sits confidently within the top 35 global crypto assets by market cap, maintaining a strong presence on major CEXs (Binance, Coinbase, OKX). Its adoption curve in DeFi and AI uniquely positions it versus “generalist” chains facing sector commoditization risk.

Bullish Catalysts & Positive Outlook

• Protocol Upgrades: Nightshade 2.0 and continued EVM/wallet compatibility sharply lower onboarding friction, laying a foundation for broader dApp deployment and user migration.
• Unique AI Niche: First-mover advantage as a “blockchain for AI,” with novel frameworks (NEAR Intents, AI Research Hub) capturing the imagination and capital of both developers and institutional players.
• Scaling & Usability: Chain abstraction and dynamic sharding dramatically improve user and developer experience, mitigating the main barriers to Layer-1 adoption.
• DeFi/NFT Resilience: Despite the post-2022 crypto winter, core NEAR DeFi protocols are rebounding, with NFT/AI projects accounting for much of the network’s activity surge.
• Forthcoming Drivers: Upcoming expansion to 10 shards and deeper institutional partnerships (Deutsche Telekom, NTT DATA) could serve as visible catalysts for a multi-month narrative and valuation rerating.

Investment Strategies According to Time Horizon

Short Term (1–3 months)

• Tactical entries near the $2.50–$2.55 support range seem attractive for risk-managed, mean-reversion strategies.
• A breakout above $3.00 (major resistance/psychological threshold) would confirm a pattern reversal; monitoring for volume spikes at this level is warranted.
• Imminent protocol upgrades or ecosystem launches could produce positive, short-lived volatility suitable for swing positions.

Medium Term (3–24 months)

• Medium-horizon investors may favor staggered accumulation, leveraging retracements for position building before expected catalysts (notably sharding expansion and AI-specific partnerships).
• Watching on-chain usage metrics and staking participation may signal inflection points for renewed positive momentum.
• Integration into new institutional or DeFi venues could provide further re-rating tailwinds.

Long Term (2+ years)

• For conviction-driven portfolios, NEAR offers exposure to compound narratives across AI, cross-chain abstraction, and next-gen Layer-1 scalability.
• The unique confluence of technical innovation and strategic partnership means that, should adoption trends persist, the protocol has potential to outpace “legacy” Layer-1 assets in the next cycle.

NEAR Protocol Price Projections (2025–2029)

Is Now the Right Time to Consider NEAR Protocol?

In sum, NEAR Protocol’s opportunity proposition is underpinned by an active, fast-growing ecosystem and a strategic focus on next-gen decentralized AI—supported by rising network revenues, resilient user metrics, and deep ongoing innovation. Despite a challenging technical picture in the immediate term, underlying fundamentals remain potent, and major protocol upgrades are set to catalyze renewed interest.

With robust liquidity, top-tier exchange coverage, and a sharply differentiated technological roadmap, NEAR seems to represent an excellent opportunity for forward-thinking investors seeking to gain exposure to the convergence of AI and blockchain. The fundamentals clearly justify renewed attention, and NEAR Protocol may well be on the cusp of a new bullish phase as the sector evolves.

NEAR Protocol remains a high-volatility cryptocurrency offering dynamic investment opportunities but requiring disciplined risk management. The recent acceleration in price action demonstrates NEAR’s ability to generate powerful moves, yet the evolving macro context makes selectivity essential. Key technical levels to watch are $2.50 as immediate support and $3.00 as major resistance. The forthcoming protocol upgrade, expected in Q2 2025, could be a decisive catalyst for NEAR Protocol’s future momentum.

How to buy NEAR Protocol?

It’s simple and secure to buy NEAR Protocol (NEAR) online through a regulated platform. Investors have two main ways to get exposure: spot purchases, where you own the actual coins, and crypto CFD trading, where you speculate on price movements without holding the coin. Each approach has distinct advantages in terms of costs and flexibility. To help you make a confident choice, you’ll find a detailed comparison of the leading platforms later on this page.

Spot Purchase

Spot buying means purchasing actual NEAR tokens and depositing them in your personal crypto wallet (like MetaMask, Ledger, or a platform-hosted wallet). With this method, you directly own the NEAR coins, benefiting from any price increase. U.S. exchanges typically charge a fixed transaction fee, often around $3 to $5 per trade.

Example

Suppose NEAR Protocol is trading at $2.49 per coin. With a $1,000 investment, minus a $5 transaction fee, you can buy approximately 399 NEAR coins ($995 / $2.49 ≈ 399 coins).

✔️ Potential Gain Scenario

If NEAR’s price rises by 10%, your portfolio would be worth about $1,100. Result: $100 gross gain (+10% on your investment).

Trading NEAR Protocol via CFD

CFD (Contract for Difference) trading means you don’t actually own NEAR. Instead, you take positions on NEAR’s price changes. This method allows you to use leverage—magnifying both potential gains and risks. Fees include the spread (the difference between buy/sell price) and, if your position remains open overnight, overnight funding fees.

Example

You open a NEAR Protocol CFD position with $1,000 and use 5x leverage. Your exposure on the market is now $5,000.

✔️ Potential Gain Scenario

If NEAR’s price moves up 8%, your leveraged position gains 8% × 5 = 40%. Result: $400 gain on your $1,000 margin (excluding fees).

Final Advice

Always compare platform fees, spreads, and trading conditions before you invest, as these can significantly impact your returns. The best method depends on your investment objectives and your level of experience—whether you prefer owning NEAR directly or trading on its price movements. Explore the detailed platform comparison below to find the option that fits your profile.

Our 7 tips for buying NEAR Protocol

The latest news about the NEAR Protocol

NEAR Protocol recorded robust Q4 2024 on-chain growth with daily active addresses and transactions sharply up. In the past quarter, NEAR’s network activity rose despite the recent correction in token price, with daily active addresses reaching 3.55 million (+15.8% QoQ) and average daily transactions hitting 7.42 million (+7.9% QoQ). Network revenue also jumped 26.8% over the previous quarter. These fundamentals point to strengthening user engagement and utility, an encouraging signal for U.S.-based market participants prioritizing real network growth over price action.

Advanced interoperability—NEAR’s new compatibility with Ethereum wallets like MetaMask expands access for U.S. users. Recently, NEAR enabled full integration with major Ethereum wallets, notably MetaMask and Phantom. This move allows the vast U.S. Ethereum user base to interact seamlessly with the NEAR ecosystem, lowering barriers to adoption and bolstering NEAR’s position as a viable Layer-1 alternative for developers and users in the U.S. market who are familiar with Ethereum-native infrastructure.

Strategic partnerships such as Deutsche Telekom joining as an Enterprise Node Operator foster NEAR’s institutional credibility. Last week, Deutsche Telekom’s entry into NEAR’s operator program marked a significant validation from a leading global telco with a strong U.S. footprint. Paired with ongoing collaboration with NTT DATA, these developments highlight NEAR’s increasing institutional interest and provide additional confidence for U.S. fund managers and enterprises exploring the protocol for scalable blockchain and AI infrastructure.

NEAR Protocol advances its AI-driven vision through the launch of Nightshade 2.0 and the alpha release of its AI Research Hub. The rollout of Nightshade 2.0 improved transaction execution speeds by 400%, while the new NEAR Intents framework lets artificial intelligence agents operate cross-chain—important for the U.S. tech landscape where AI/blockchain convergence is accelerating. The launch of the AI Hub in alpha showcases NEAR’s push to lead in decentralized AI, an area attracting fresh U.S. developer and VC attention.

The U.S. investor base enjoys broad access to NEAR via regulated platforms including Coinbase, Kraken, and Revolut. NEAR is listed on all leading U.S.-regulated exchanges and supports widely used wallets such as Ledger and MetaMask, ensuring compliant and secure access for both retail and institutional investors. This ready availability on trusted American platforms facilitates participation and bolsters market confidence amid an evolving U.S. regulatory climate.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.