As of January 27, 2026, the AI crypto narrative is dominating: Bittensor (TAO) is trading at $234.58 while NEAR Protocol stands at $1.47. Both projects are vying for leadership in the decentralized artificial intelligence space.
Current Price & Key Stats (Jan 2026)
| Metric | Bittensor (TAO) | NEAR Protocol |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $234.58 | $1.47 |
| 24h Change | +1.9% | +0.4% |
| Market Cap | $2.25B | $3.8B |
| 1-Year Return | -41% | +13% |
| Volatility (30-day) | Very High | Moderate |
TAO vs NEAR: Core Differences
| Aspect | Bittensor (TAO) | NEAR Protocol |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Decentralized ML Network | Sharded L1 Blockchain |
| Supply | Capped (21M – BTC model) | Unlimited (Inflationary) |
| Inflation Hedge | Strong (Halving cycles) | Weak |
| Liquidity | Moderate | High |
| Volatility | Extremely High | Moderate |
| Accessibility | Tapbit, Specialized CEXs | All Major Exchanges |
Pros & Cons: TAO vs NEAR
| TAO Pros | TAO Cons | NEAR Pros | NEAR Cons | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protection | Fair launch, no VC dump | Complex tech barrier | User-friendly (Chain Abstraction) | High competition from L2s |
| Growth | Pure AI play | High emission early on | Massive developer base | Identity crisis (L1 vs AI) |
| Liquidity | Improving | Slippage on small trades | Very high | Stagnant price action |
TAO vs NEAR Price Prediction 2026–2030
TAO’s scarcity makes it a “Bitcoin for AI,” while NEAR’s scalability makes it the “Amazon Web Services of Web3.”
| Year | TAO Avg | NEAR Avg |
|---|---|---|
| End 2026 | $450.00 | $6.50 |
| 2030 | $2,500.00 | $25.00 |
Which Should You Buy in 2026?
- Choose TAO if you want high-risk, high-reward exposure to AI compute.
- Choose NEAR if you want a stable L1 with strong AI integration.
Trade TAO and NEAR on Tapbit today.
Conclusion
Bittensor is for the AI purists, while NEAR is for the ecosystem builders. Both are top-tier picks for the 2026 bull run. Secure your position on Tapbit.
Trade TAO/NEAR on Tapbit now →
