What is expected in the development of NEAR?
NEAR Protocol is making important progress with these key updates:
- Dynamic Sharding (Q4 2025) – The network will automatically adjust its capacity to handle more users and transactions.
- AI Agent Ecosystem Growth (2025–2026) – New tools to support smart, autonomous AI programs running on NEAR.
- Chain Abstraction Roadmap (2026) – Making it easier to use multiple blockchains through a single NEAR account.
In-Depth Look
1. Dynamic Sharding (Q4 2025)
What’s happening:
By late 2025, NEAR plans to launch the final phase of sharding, a technology that splits the network into smaller parts called shards. This upgrade will let NEAR automatically increase or decrease the number of shards based on how much demand there is. Previously, in 2023, NEAR scaled up to 100 shards. This change aims to use resources more efficiently while keeping transactions fast—finalizing in under a second.
Why it matters:
This improvement is great news for NEAR because it means the network can handle more activity, especially from AI-powered apps and services that need quick responses. However, there could be challenges coordinating the network’s validators during this change.
2. AI Agent Ecosystem Growth (2025–2026)
What’s happening:
NEAR is building tools to support autonomous AI agents—programs that can operate independently on the network. For example, the Shade Agent Sandbox launched in July 2025, and partnerships like Allora Network’s AI integration (announced on September 16, 2025) are helping NEAR become a leading platform for AI applications. Upcoming features include ways for AI agents to earn money and work across different blockchains using Chain Signatures.
Why it matters:
This is promising because AI-driven activity could increase the number of transactions and attract more developers. Still, NEAR faces competition from other platforms like Ethereum Layer 2 solutions and Solana’s AI projects, which could affect how widely these features are adopted.
3. Chain Abstraction Roadmap (2026)
What’s happening:
NEAR aims to simplify how users interact with multiple blockchains by letting them use a single NEAR account for cross-chain activities. Recent progress includes integrating with Aptos for cross-chain token swaps (September 3, 2025) and partnering with Shelby for decentralized storage solutions.
Why it matters:
This could make blockchain technology more accessible to everyday users by removing complexity. The success of this depends on how well other blockchain ecosystems like Ethereum and Solana adopt these features.
Conclusion
NEAR’s roadmap focuses on improving scalability now with dynamic sharding, while also investing in future growth areas like AI and cross-chain usability. With over $570 million in transaction volume from NEAR Intents and 48 million monthly active users, the platform is gaining momentum. However, there are risks as some of these AI and cross-chain features are still new and untested. The big question is: Can NEAR’s fast transaction finality (1.2 seconds) help it grow sustainably as interest in alternative cryptocurrencies heats up?
What updates are there in the NEAR code base?
NEAR Protocol's latest updates focus on making the network faster, easier to use across different blockchains, and smarter with AI features.
- Resharding V3 & Protocol Upgrades (March 2025) – Improved network speed and capacity by adding more shards and upgrading the system.
- Nightshade 2.0 & Stateless Validation (May 2025) – Made transactions up to four times faster and lowered the technical requirements for network validators.
- Allora Network Integration (September 16, 2025) – Added AI-powered tools to help automate and predict actions on the network.
Deep Dive
1. Resharding V3 & Protocol Upgrades (March 2025)
What happened: NEAR increased the number of shards (think of shards as smaller pieces of the network that handle transactions) from 6 to 8. This helps the network handle more activity at once. The update also improved how data moves between these shards, boosting overall transaction speed. During the upgrade, node operators needed more memory (64GB RAM) temporarily.
Why it matters: This upgrade makes NEAR more capable of supporting lots of users and complex applications without slowing down. It’s a positive step toward wider adoption. (Source)
2. Nightshade 2.0 & Stateless Validation (May 2025)
What happened: Nightshade 2.0 improved how NEAR processes transactions by running many of them in parallel, increasing speed fourfold. Stateless validation means validators (the people or computers that help keep the network secure) don’t need to store the entire blockchain, lowering the barrier to entry.
Why it matters: Faster transactions mean a better experience for users. Lowering the hardware requirements encourages more validators to join, making the network more secure and decentralized. (Source)
3. Allora Network Integration (September 16, 2025)
What happened: NEAR integrated Allora’s AI technology into its Shade Agent system. This allows the network to use predictive AI tools that can automate tasks like trading or managing smart contracts.
Why it matters: This opens up new possibilities for AI-driven applications on NEAR. While promising, the real impact depends on how many developers start using these AI features. (Source)
Conclusion
NEAR Protocol’s recent updates focus on making the network faster, easier for validators to join, and smarter with AI capabilities. These improvements position NEAR well for growing its ecosystem of decentralized apps (dApps). The big question now is how these upgrades will help NEAR compete with other major blockchains like Ethereum and Solana, especially when it comes to working across different blockchain networks.
Why did the price of NEAR go up?
NEAR Protocol (NEAR) jumped 12.77% in the last 24 hours, beating its 30-day gain of 33.99% and riding the wave of a broader altcoin rally. Here’s why:
- Allora Network Partnership – Boosts NEAR’s AI capabilities
- Technical Breakout – Positive price signals show strong momentum
- Altcoin Season – Market trends favor NEAR’s AI focus
In-Depth Look
1. Allora Network Partnership (Positive Impact)
What happened: On September 16, NEAR teamed up with Allora Network to add Allora’s decentralized AI prediction layer to NEAR’s Shade Agent system (Allora).
Why it matters: This partnership makes NEAR a key platform for AI-powered decentralized apps (dApps), attracting more developers and users. AI projects have been a big driver of growth in 2025, with NEAR’s AI-related activity already reaching $570 million in usage.
What to watch: Growth in the use of Shade Agents and AI tools that work across different blockchains.
2. Technical Breakout (Positive Impact)
What happened: NEAR’s price rose to $3.32, breaking above its 7-day average price of $2.81 and a key technical level at $3.03. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 71.16, showing strong momentum but nearing a level where the asset might be overbought.
Why it matters: Traders are responding to bullish signals like the MACD indicator and a price pivot at $3.08. If NEAR stays above $3.30, it could aim for $3.53 based on technical analysis.
What to watch: Trading volume—if it drops below $3.03, some investors might start taking profits.
3. Altcoin Season Momentum (Mixed Impact)
What happened: The Altcoin Season Index from CoinMarketCap rose 58.7% over 30 days, reaching 73 out of 100. NEAR is benefiting as investors move money from Bitcoin to riskier altcoins with growth potential.
Why it matters: Bitcoin’s market dominance is at 57.1%, down from earlier levels, while NEAR has outperformed both Ethereum and Bitcoin so far this year.
What to watch: If Bitcoin dominance climbs back above 58%, it could put pressure on altcoins like NEAR.
Conclusion
NEAR’s recent price jump is driven by strong AI-related developments, positive technical signals, and favorable market trends. However, some caution is warranted due to the high RSI and a recent 5.6% drop in derivatives open interest. Key question: Can NEAR stay above $3.30 to reach $3.53, or will profit-taking push prices down?
What could affect the price of NEAR?
NEAR’s price outlook balances promising upgrades with market ups and downs.
- Inflation Cut Vote – A proposal to cut inflation in half (from 5% to 2.5%) could reduce token supply by late Q3 2025.
- AI Integration – Partnerships with Allora Network and IQ AI aim to expand NEAR’s use in AI-powered applications.
- Technical Signals – A high RSI (7-day at 82) suggests a short-term price pullback risk, despite positive momentum indicators.
Deep Dive
1. Tokenomics Update: Inflation Cut (Positive for Price)
Overview:
The NEAR community is voting on a plan to reduce the annual inflation rate from 5% to 2.5%. This needs approval from two-thirds of validators and is expected to pass by September 2025. If approved, fewer new tokens will be created each year, which could make NEAR more scarce. While validators and stakers might earn less in rewards, programs like Meta Pool’s boosted APY for locked tokens aim to balance this (NEAR Blog).
What this means:
Lower inflation means less selling pressure from rewards, which can help increase NEAR’s value over time. Similar changes in other networks, like Ethereum’s EIP-1559, have led to price increases when adoption grows.
2. Growing AI Ecosystem (Potential Growth Driver)
Overview:
NEAR is partnering with AI projects like Allora Network (which focuses on predictive AI) and IQ AI (which builds autonomous agents) to become a center for AI-based decentralized apps. In July, NEAR Intents handled over $570 million in cross-chain swaps, and Bitwise’s staking ETP with $12 billion assets under management added more institutional interest (Bitget News).
What this means:
AI could boost demand for NEAR by increasing its real-world use. However, competition from other AI-focused projects like Bittensor (TAO) and high expectations for developers mean there’s some risk. NEAR’s 16 million weekly active users (compared to Solana’s 15 million) show strong engagement, but price gains may wait until AI projects start generating revenue.
3. Technical and Market Risks (Short-Term Caution)
Overview:
NEAR’s 7-day RSI is at 82, indicating it may be overbought, and it faces resistance around $3.53. On August 14, the price dropped 7% after nearly $20 million in institutional sell orders but bounced back to hold support near $2.82 (CoinDesk).
What this means:
High leverage trading (up to 75x on BYDFi’s NEARUSDC contracts) and a recent 5% drop in the altcoin season index suggest the market is a bit overheated. If NEAR falls below $3.08, it could trigger more selling down to $2.89.
Conclusion
NEAR’s upcoming inflation vote and AI partnerships provide reasons for optimism, but short-term technical signals and overall crypto market volatility (with $1.4 trillion in derivatives open interest) present risks. Watch the validator vote results expected in September and the growth of NEAR Intents after integrating with Aptos. Will cutting inflation spark a supply squeeze, or will market pressures delay the rally?
What are people saying about NEAR?
Talk around NEAR Protocol (NEAR) mixes cautious optimism about a near-term breakout with big hopes for 2030. Here’s what’s trending:
- Technical traders are watching $3.40 as a key level that could trigger a rally.
- Long-term investors are debating NEAR’s potential price in 2030, ranging from $3 to over $100.
- Ecosystem updates highlight new AI features and plans to reduce inflation.
Deep Dive
1. @UniChartz: Resistance Rejection Signals Possible Downtrend
"NEAR is still below its long-term downtrend line… a fake breakout near $8 was rejected. If support breaks, prices could fall further."
– @UniChartz (12.4K followers · 58K impressions · 2025-08-27 19:20 UTC)
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What this means: Traders using charts remain cautious. The $2.22 to $2.45 range is a critical support zone. If NEAR falls below this, it could trigger more selling, possibly pushing the price down to $1.90.
2. @NEARProtocol: AI and Partnerships Drive Positive Outlook
"Allora’s AI predictive tools are now integrated with NEAR… Shade Agent infrastructure has been upgraded."
– @NEARProtocol (887K followers · 2.1M impressions · 2025-09-16 14:32 UTC)
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What this means: This is good news for NEAR’s growth. Adding AI tools and forming partnerships with other blockchains like Sui and Everclear aim to attract more developers and users.
3. CoinCodex: 2030 Price Predictions Vary Widely
"Price forecasts for NEAR in 2030 range from $3.13 (Changelly) to $100 (CryptoOfficiel)."
– Community post (2025-05-11 07:24 UTC)
View analysis
What this means: There’s a big split in expectations. Optimists believe NEAR could dominate AI and Web3, while skeptics point to strong competition from other blockchains like Solana (SOL) and Ethereum (ETH).
Conclusion
The outlook for NEAR is mixed, balancing caution from technical analysis with positive momentum from ecosystem developments. Short-term charts warn of a possible retest around $2.45, but recent moves like reducing inflation from 5% to 2.5% and Bitwise listing a NEAR Staking ETP suggest long-term potential. Keep an eye on the $3.40 resistance level — a weekly close above this could confirm a bullish pattern targeting $5. The big question: will NEAR’s AI-driven growth overcome broader market challenges?
What is the latest news about NEAR?
NEAR Protocol is gaining momentum thanks to AI upgrades and key partnerships as the altcoin market heats up. Here are the latest highlights:
- Allora Integration (September 16, 2025) – Added an AI prediction layer to NEAR’s platform.
- Network Upgrade (August 18, 2025) – Cut inflation in half and improved cross-chain features.
- BYDFi Listing (August 27, 2025) – Launched new perpetual contracts to boost trading options.
Deep Dive
1. Allora Integration (September 16, 2025)
What happened: NEAR Protocol teamed up with Allora Network to add a decentralized AI prediction layer to its Shade Agent system. This upgrade lets NEAR-based AI tools use real-time predictions for things like market trends and trading across different blockchains.
Why it matters: This is a big step for NEAR’s AI capabilities, tapping into the $26.4 billion AI crypto market by enabling smarter decentralized apps (dApps). It could attract developers interested in combining AI with decentralized finance (DeFi). (NiphermeDave)
2. Network Upgrade (August 18, 2025)
What happened: NEAR’s network update cut annual token inflation from 5% to 2.5%, improved tools for developers, and expanded connections with other blockchains. After the upgrade, weekly active users reached 16 million, surpassing Solana.
Why it matters: Lower inflation means fewer new tokens entering the market, which can increase scarcity and support price growth (NEAR’s price rose 33% over 30 days). Better cross-chain compatibility, like with Sui, makes NEAR a more flexible platform for developers and users. (Bitget)
3. BYDFi Listing (August 27, 2025)
What happened: BYDFi added NEAR/USDC perpetual contracts with up to 75x leverage, joining other major trading platforms like Binance and OKX. Trading volume jumped 145% in just 24 hours.
Why it matters: This listing improves liquidity and trading options but also increases price volatility. The high leverage appeals to traders looking for bigger gains, which can lead to bigger price swings during volatile market periods. (BYDFi)
Conclusion
NEAR’s recent AI upgrades, reduced token inflation, and expanded trading access come at a time when altcoins are gaining attention (CMC Altcoin Index at 73). With Bitcoin’s market dominance dropping to 57.12%, NEAR’s focus on AI and cross-chain technology could help it maintain its impressive 57% price rally over the past 90 days, even as competition from projects like Bittensor grows.