- NEAR jumps 11% to $2.98 as Nvidia’s $5 billion stake in Intel sparks an AI crypto rally
- AI tokens surge, with NEAR, TAO, Render and The Graph benefiting from optimism around the chip deal
- NEAR eyes $3.6–$4 as AI adoption and a bullish chart pattern fuel momentum
NEAR Protocol’s price climbed more than 11% over 24 hours, reaching $2.98 amid a broader surge in AI-linked cryptocurrencies.
The rise in AI tokens follows momentum sparked by Nvidia’s strategic $5 billion investment in Intel, with projects such as Bittensor, Render and The Graph among the early beneficiaries in the AI crypto sector.
Tokens like Aster surged dramatically, with one example jumping 500% on Thursday following its token generation event.
NEAR price retests $2.98 as Nvidia news boosts AI tokens
NEAR Protocol’s token experienced a rapid uptick, retesting the $2.98 resistance level after an 11% pump.
The move came after the cryptocurrency traded as low as $2.70 earlier in the week. The rally aligns with a broader crypto rebound and Nvidia’s announcement of a $5 billion stake in Intel.
The agreement includes collaboration on developing PC and data-center chips optimized for AI.
It signals Nvidia’s push to strengthen U.S. semiconductor capabilities amid global supply chain tensions.
The investment arrives at a crucial time for Intel, following a $9 billion U.S. government commitment under the CHIPS Act and $2 billion in funding from SoftBank, which together bolster Intel’s balance sheet and manufacturing ambitions independent of Nvidia’s immediate production needs.
AI tokens surge
For the AI crypto ecosystem, the deal boosted optimism because the collaboration highlights chip makers’ potential to deliver new solutions as enterprise demand grows.
NEAR, designed as an AI-ready blockchain with data sharding that can enable up to 100,000 transactions per second, stands to gain if the momentum further accelerates price action.
The protocol’s Nightshade consensus and tools like Near Tasks for AI agents align with Nvidia’s ecosystem, and closer integration could drive substantial upside for the altcoin.
Today’s Nvidia-driven pump lifted several AI tokens similarly: TAO rose 7.7%, Render gained 8%, and The Graph (GRT) increased 5.9%, according to CoinMarketCap.
Broad market tailwinds, including Bitcoin’s recovery, also supported the upward move.
NEAR’s market capitalization moved back above $3.7 billion, placing it around the 34th position among leading cryptocurrencies.
What’s next for NEAR’s price?
NEAR’s trajectory depends on sustained AI momentum and a technical breakout targeting $3.60.
Daily indicators like RSI and MACD support the case for continued upside.
Chart analysis also suggests a potential triangle breakout may be forming.
While macroeconomic risks remain—such as a possible U.S. regulatory review of AI chips or broader crypto volatility—NEAR could reach levels above $4 in the coming weeks if bullish conditions persist.
Protocol upgrades and wider AI adoption could support a longer-term bull case with upside targets potentially reaching $8.
On the downside, primary support is likely near $2.62.