- NEAR rose 11% to $2.98 as Nvidia’s $5 billion strategic investment in Intel helped drive gains among AI-focused cryptocurrencies.
- AI tokens jumped sharply, led by NEAR, TAO, Render, and The Graph, as optimism about on‑chain AI use cases increased.
- With growing AI adoption and bullish chart signals, NEAR is eyeing a breakout toward the $3.60–$4.00 range.
The NEAR Protocol token climbed more than 11% within 24 hours, reaching $2.98 amid a broad rally in AI-related cryptocurrencies.
The surge in AI tokens was fueled in part by Nvidia’s announcement of a $5 billion strategic stake in Intel, an event that catalyzed buying across the sector. Projects such as Bittensor, Render, and The Graph ranked among the top performers in the crypto AI space.
Some tokens experienced dramatic moves — for example, Aster rallied sharply following its token generation event.
NEAR retests $2.98 as Nvidia news boosts AI tokens
NEAR Protocol’s token spiked, retesting resistance at $2.98 after an 11% jump. This move followed a low near $2.70 earlier in the week and coincided with the broader crypto market rebound and Nvidia’s announcement of a strategic investment in Intel.
The collaboration between Nvidia and Intel includes co-development of AI-optimized PC and data center chips. The deal signals Nvidia’s effort to strengthen U.S. semiconductor capabilities amid global supply-chain tensions.
Coming after substantial capital injections into Intel — including U.S. government support under the CHIPS Act and additional funding from strategic investors — Nvidia’s stake arrives at a critical juncture for Intel, reinforcing the company’s balance sheet and foundry ambitions without making Intel immediately dependent on Nvidia’s manufacturing.
AI tokens surge
For the crypto AI ecosystem, the partnership amplifies optimism because it shows how AI chip manufacturers and ecosystem partners may innovate together to serve customer demand as the industry scales.
NEAR is designed as an AI‑native blockchain featuring sharding technology capable of supporting up to 100,000 transactions per second, positioning the network to benefit if the momentum behind AI-driven use cases continues.
Protocol features such as the Nightshade consensus mechanism and Near Tasks, a suite aimed at AI agents, align with Nvidia’s ecosystem and could lead to more integrations that drive further gains for ALTs.
According to CoinMarketCap data, the Nvidia-fueled rally lifted the broader AI token sector: TAO rose about 7.7%, Render gained roughly 8%, and The Graph (GRT) climbed nearly 6%.
Cross-market strength, including a rebound in Bitcoin above $117,600, further supported the upswing.
NEAR’s market capitalization surpassed $3.7 billion, moving the token into the top 35 cryptocurrencies by market cap.
What’s next for NEAR price?
NEAR’s near-term trajectory depends on continued momentum for AI adoption and the confirmation of a technical breakout targeting $3.60. Daily indicators such as the RSI and MACD currently support further upside.
Chart patterns also indicate the potential for a triangle breakout, which would reinforce bullish expectations.
NEAR price chart
Downside risks include potential regulatory scrutiny of AI chips by U.S. authorities and broader crypto market volatility. Nonetheless, if protocol upgrades and global AI adoption continue, bulls could target levels as high as $8 over time. Key support for NEAR sits near $2.62.