- NEAR gained over 11% after AI staking surpassed 1 million tokens.
- NEAR Intents volume reached $10.41 billion during the third quarter.
- Traders are watching $5.50 resistance and $4.50 support closely.
NEAR has returned to the spotlight after a strong price rally and growing activity across the ecosystem. The token climbed above $5 after gaining more than 11% in a single day. A major factor behind the move was the announcement that over 1 million NEAR tokens are now staked through NEAR AI. That milestone highlights rising interest in combining blockchain rewards with artificial intelligence services, giving investors another reason to watch the project closely.
AI Staking Growth Supports Market Confidence
NEAR AI recently revealed that more than 1 million NEAR tokens have been staked through the platform. The service allows users to earn staking rewards while converting yields into AI computing credits. This approach gives token holders another way to use staking income without selling assets. The update arrived as NEAR posted one of the strongest daily gains among major cryptocurrencies.
The broader crypto market also moved higher, helping risk assets recover. Interest in the network extends beyond AI staking. Bitwise reported strong growth in NEAR Intents activity during the third quarter. Monthly volume increased from $2.40 billion in July to $4.80 billion in September. Total quarterly volume reached $10.41 billion. That marked a significant increase from the previous quarter. A governance proposal has also attracted attention.
Community members are voting on a plan to reduce token issuance. The proposal aims to lower annual issuance from 2.5% to 1.6% over two years. Supporters believe lower issuance could reduce future dilution. Not every signal points upward. Spot ETF flows recently turned negative. Bitwise’s Spot NEAR ETF recorded a $2.54 million outflow over 24 hours. That marked the first withdrawal since launch.
Bulls Continue Testing a Key Resistance Zone
Technical traders continue watching the $5.50 level. Price has challenged that barrier several times during the past month. Buyers have yet to secure a decisive daily close above that area. Support near $4.50 remains important. As long as price stays above that level, the broader structure favors bulls. Momentum indicators present a mixed picture.
The Stochastic Momentum Index remains near neutral territory. Meanwhile, the Choppiness Index suggests the market may be preparing for a more directional move. The growing appeal of NEAR AI adds another layer to the story. Staking rewards can fund AI usage through credits that accumulate over time. Users can also support AI agents through a separate staking model.
New use cases continue emerging as developers explore practical applications. For now, traders are focused on two developments. The first is whether NEAR can break through $5.50. The second is whether AI-driven staking growth can continue supporting demand across the ecosystem.
