- 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 gaining as chip deals drive optimism.
- EYES ON: $3.60 to $4.00 as AI adoption and bullish charts fuel momentum.
The NEAR Protocol token surged more than 11% in 24 hours, reaching $2.98 amid a wider rally in AI-linked cryptocurrencies.
The token’s rise coincided with momentum triggered by Nvidia’s strategic $5 billion investment in Intel, with AI-focused crypto projects such as Bittensor, Render and The Graph among the notable beneficiaries.
Some tokens moved dramatically—Aster, for example, saw gains of roughly 500% on Thursday.
NEAR retests $2.98 as Nvidia news propels AI tokens
NEAR’s token experienced a strong rebound, retesting the $2.98 resistance level following an approximate 11% intraday gain.
The surge followed a period earlier in the week when NEAR traded as low as $2.70, and it aligns with a broader cryptocurrency rebound and Nvidia’s announcement of a $5 billion stake in Intel.
The deal includes collaboration on developing PC chips and AI-optimized data center components.
It also underscores Nvidia’s intent to fortify U.S. semiconductor capabilities amid global supply-chain tensions.
The investment arrives at a critical juncture for Intel, which recently benefited from a $9 billion government backing through the CHIPS Act and a $2 billion capital injection from SoftBank, strengthening Intel’s balance sheet and foundry ambitions without immediately depending on Nvidia’s manufacturing needs.
AI tokens surge
For the AI crypto ecosystem, the announcement amplified optimism because the partnership signals potential innovation from an industry-leading chipmaker as it expands its offerings.
NEAR—designed as an AI-native blockchain with sharding technology that can support up to 100,000 transactions per second—stands to benefit if this momentum translates into sustained price gains.
The protocol’s Nightshade consensus and tools such as Near Tasks for AI agents align well with Nvidia’s ecosystem, and key integrations could further accelerate the altcoin’s growth.
Today’s Nvidia-driven rally also lifted other AI-related tokens: TAO rose about 7.7%, Render gained roughly 8%, and The Graph (GRT) climbed about 5.9%, according to CoinMarketCap data.
Broader market tailwinds, including Bitcoin regaining strength, contributed additional upside pressure.
NEAR’s market capitalization climbed back above $3.7 billion, placing it near the 34th spot among major cryptocurrencies.
What’s next for NEAR price?
NEAR’s near-term trajectory depends on sustained AI-driven momentum and technical breakouts targeting $3.60.
Daily indicators such as the RSI and MACD currently support the continuation of the uptrend.
Chart analysis also points to a possible breakout from a triangular consolidation pattern.
NEAR price chart from TradingView
Downside risks include macroeconomic headwinds, potential U.S. regulatory scrutiny of AI chips, and broader crypto market volatility. Still, NEAR has the potential to test levels above $4.00 in the coming weeks.
Further protocol upgrades and broader AI adoption could push bullish targets higher—some scenarios put upside toward $8.00—while primary support is likely near $2.62.