NEAR Protocol gained more than 13% on Thursday as traders rotated back into AI-linked crypto assets. The move sent the token toward a major resistance zone and put fresh attention on NEAR’s positioning around AI infrastructure and blockchain security.
The rally was backed by derivatives activity rather than spot enthusiasm alone. CoinGlass data showed NEAR futures volume rising more than 250% to above $834 million, while open interest increased nearly 24% to over $320 million. Positioning from top Binance traders also continued to show a clear long bias.
AI-linked crypto demand returns to infrastructure names
Interest in AI-related digital assets strengthened as investors refocused on blockchain projects tied to decentralized compute networks and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The source article said growing institutional attention toward AI-linked tokens also helped improve sentiment across the segment and supported renewed buying.
NEAR drew added market focus after BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes identified it as a potential outperformer in the current cycle. That comment fed into an existing rotation toward infrastructure-driven blockchain projects, prompting traders to increase exposure.
Security roadmap adds weight to the NEAR thesis
NEAR has also been expanding its longer-term infrastructure strategy through initiatives linked to NEAR AI and Confidential Intents. Alongside AI integration, the protocol said it plans to introduce post-quantum cryptography protections across its ecosystem.
That update widened the project narrative beyond the standard smart contract Layer-1 pitch. In the source report, traders viewed the security push as a sign that NEAR wants to compete in both AI infrastructure and high-security blockchain design.
Price action tests the top of the recent range
From a technical angle, NEAR had already moved above a long-term descending channel that capped price action for months. Even so, the token has mostly traded between roughly $1.30 and $1.60 since February, and this week’s rally brought it back to the upper edge of that range.
Daily RSI moved above 60, pointing to stronger buying pressure, while heavier trading volume suggested buyers were trying to shift the market out of consolidation and into a broader expansion phase. The immediate resistance remains near $1.60. If price can hold above that area, the report pointed to $2 as the next level in view, with broader resistance on higher-timeframe charts around $2.80 to $3. Funding rates stayed balanced during the advance, showing long exposure was building without obvious signs of excessive leverage.