• NEAR rises 7.21% to $2.80 with trading volume up 30.6%.
• Analysts eye $8 target if $2 support holds.
• “Intents” aims to make NEAR an AI-powered transaction layer.

NEAR Protocol (NEAR) is currently trading at $2.80, up 7.21% over the previous 24 hours. Trading volume surged at $341.64 million, up 30.6% from the previous day, suggesting renewed interest among investors. NEAR’s price has risen 15.15% in the previous week, underpinned by good technical support levels.

NEAR Rebounds as Buyers Step In

Analysts refer to the $2 level as a significant long-term support level of NEAR because it has tended to serve as a solid price floor during previous market downturns. Crypto analyst AltCryptoTalk refers to NEAR’s recent rebound from the level as an indication buyers may be reasserting themselves.

“If this support holds, buyers will likely come in aggressively,” the analyst explained, suggesting the next significant price target may be in the neighborhood of $8.

Such a comeback occurs due to an added interest in blockchain projects involving AI, something NEAR has engaged in energetically. The uptick in prices also correlates with rising hope in mid-size cryptocurrencies, with traders seeking places outside the busy Bitcoin and Ethereum spheres.

Also Read | NEAR Protocol ($NEAR) Nears Breakout Zone: Will It Hit $3.30?

NEAR Protocol Price Forecast for 2025

NEAR Protocol’s 2025 predictions range significantly across experts. DigitalCoinPrice expects NEAR to go past $6.17 throughout the year and possibly go past its previous record high of $20.42 in the long term. The platform’s analysis indicates the asset has a chance of stabilizing around the $4.59–$6.17 area before making another attempt at reaching highs.

Meanwhile, Changelly’s technical analysis puts forth a more conservative approach. Their system projects a 2025 peak price of $1.56, with an average likely trade worth around $3.11 and a potential investment ROI of -41.4%. In the short term, price predictions range from $2.59 to $2.92 in August of 2025 and an ensuing 9.8% ROI for investors buying in at current rates.

NEAR’s Vision for an Invisible AI Blockchain Layer

Among NEAR Protocol’s most visionary projects is “Intents,” defined as an AI-Native Transaction Layer designed to streamline and expedite Web2, Web3, and traditional market value transfer. Unlike traditional blockchain processes, Intents enables users, or AI agents, to specify ideal results, and the network automatically calculates and fulfills the most efficacious path of transactions.

Major highlights are cross-chain capability via Chain Signatures, MPC validator-driven secure execution, and fast settlement within about 2–3 seconds. NEAR aims to bring together divided digital and finance ecosystems by connecting liquidity across decentralized (DEX), centralized (CEX), and off-chain applications.

NEAR’s vision for the project is to make blockchains an invisible, AI-driven settling layer where outcomes are more important than processes. Successfully executed, this has the potential of making NEAR a foundation of trillions of future AI-driven transactions, hopefully underpinning its future market valuation beyond short-term volatility.

Also Read | NEAR Protocol: $2.79 Now—But Can It Climb to $20 Again in 2025?