As of December 26, 2025, NEAR Protocol (NEAR) is trading at $1.53 USD, with a 24h change of +3.80%. Market cap stands at $1.97B, and 24h volume is $163.23M. In this comprehensive guide, we explore NEAR Protocol’s innovative technology, ecosystem growth, and investment potential—helping you understand why this Layer 1 blockchain deserves attention on Tapbit.
What Is NEAR Protocol (NEAR)?
NEAR Protocol is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain designed for scalability, usability, and developer accessibility. Founded by former Google and Microsoft engineers, NEAR uses a unique sharding technology called Nightshade to achieve high throughput while maintaining decentralization and security.
Launched in October 2020, NEAR has evolved into one of the most developer-friendly blockchains in the industry. Its human-readable account names (like “alice.near” instead of long hexadecimal addresses), progressive security model, and JavaScript SDK have attracted thousands of developers to build on the platform.
NEAR has positioned itself at the intersection of AI and blockchain, with initiatives supporting AI-powered applications and data availability solutions. The protocol’s modular architecture allows it to serve as both a standalone blockchain and a data availability layer for rollups and other scaling solutions.
Key features:
- Nightshade Sharding: Dynamic sharding for unlimited scalability
- Human-Readable Accounts: User-friendly addresses like “yourname.near”
- AI Integration: Native support for AI and big data applications
- Cross-Chain Bridges: Rainbow Bridge for Ethereum interoperability
- Account Abstraction: Simplified user onboarding without seed phrases
- Data Availability: Modular blockchain architecture for L2 solutions
Current Market Stats (Live – December 26, 2025)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | $1.53 |
| 24h Change | +3.80% |
| Market Cap | $1.97B |
| 24h Volume | $163.23M |
| Circulating Supply | 1,283,466,125 NEAR |
| Total Supply | 1,283,466,125 NEAR |
| CMC Rank | #38 |
The Origins and History of NEAR Protocol
NEAR Protocol was founded in 2017 by Illia Polosukhin (former Google AI researcher and TensorFlow contributor) and Alexander Skidanov (former Microsoft engineer). The project emerged from NEAR.ai, an AI research company, before pivoting to blockchain development.
The mainnet launched on October 13, 2020, following a successful token sale that raised over $30 million from prominent investors including Coinbase Ventures, Three Arrows Capital, Electric Capital, and Circle Ventures. This institutional backing provided NEAR with resources for long-term development.
Key milestones include:
- 2020: Mainnet launch and initial ecosystem development
- 2021: Rainbow Bridge launch enabling Ethereum interoperability
- 2022: Aurora EVM deployment for Ethereum compatibility
- 2023: Nightshade Phase 2 sharding implementation
- 2024-2025: AI integration initiatives and data availability focus
NEAR has been featured in CMC’s Crypto Yearbook 2024-25 and maintains active development through its GitHub repository with hundreds of contributors.
How to Buy NEAR Protocol on Tapbit
- Sign up on Tapbit and complete KYC verification.
- Deposit funds (USDT recommended) to your Tapbit account.
- Search for NEAR/USDT trading pair.
- Place your buy order – consider limit orders for better entry prices!
Tapbit offers deep liquidity and competitive fees for NEAR trading. Already have an account? Login here to start trading.
NEAR Protocol Price Prediction 2025–2030
Based on Layer 1 market dynamics, ecosystem growth, and technical analysis:
| Period | Low | Average | High | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.20 | $2.50 | $5.00 | AI narrative, ecosystem expansion |
| 2026-2027 | $2.00 | $5.00 | $12.00 | Sharding maturity, dApp adoption |
| 2028-2030 | $3.00 | $8.00 | $20.00 | Mass adoption, enterprise integration |
Note: Layer 1 tokens are influenced by broader market cycles and competitive dynamics. NEAR’s ATH was ~$20 in January 2022.
Pros and Cons of Investing in NEAR Protocol
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Proven sharding technology | Intense L1 competition (SOL, AVAX, etc.) |
| Strong institutional backing | Below ATH despite development progress |
| Developer-friendly ecosystem | SEC securities allegations (ongoing) |
| AI and data availability focus | Needs more mainstream dApps |
| Cross-chain interoperability | Market cap recovery dependent on cycle |
FAQs
Is NEAR Protocol a good investment in 2025?
NEAR offers solid fundamentals as a technically advanced Layer 1 with institutional backing and AI integration. It is suitable for investors seeking exposure to scalable blockchain infrastructure with long-term potential.
How high can NEAR go?
NEAR’s previous ATH was approximately $20. In a strong bull market with ecosystem growth, returning to and exceeding this level is possible, though dependent on broader market conditions.
Where to buy NEAR Protocol?
Trade NEAR securely on Tapbit with competitive fees and high liquidity. Check live prices for current rates.
What makes NEAR different from other Layer 1s?
NEAR’s Nightshade sharding, human-readable accounts, and focus on developer experience differentiate it. Its AI integration and data availability features position it for emerging use cases.
Conclusion
NEAR Protocol (NEAR) stands out as a technically sophisticated Layer 1 blockchain with strong fundamentals, institutional backing, and forward-looking AI integration. While it faces competition from other L1s, its unique features and active development make it a compelling option for long-term crypto portfolios. DYOR and trade responsibly on Tapbit.
Disclaimer: Not financial advice. Cryptocurrency prices are volatile; data as of December 26, 2025.
