Should You Buy NEAR Protocol in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been monitoring the evolution of the NEAR Protocol cryptocurrency for over three years. Every month, hundreds of thousands of users across Australia rely on us to analyse market trends and identify the best investment opportunities. Our analyses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. In accordance with our ethical charter, HelloSafe has never purchased NEAR Protocol nor received compensation from entities associated with its ecosystem.

NEAR Protocol in brief

How much does 1 NEAR Protocol cost?

The price of NEAR Protocol is on the rise this week. As of today, NEAR trades at approximately A$3.62, marking a strong 24-hour gain of +5.1%, though it remains down -8.7% over the past week. Market capitalisation stands near A$4.42 billion, with roughly 1.22 billion NEAR tokens in circulation and an average 3-month trading volume close to A$139 million. NEAR currently ranks 27th in overall crypto market cap and represents about 0.27% of the total market. The ongoing volatility underscores both caution and opportunity for Australian investors keeping an eye on emerging blockchain technologies.

Our full review of the NEAR Protocol cryptocurrency

Have we reached a pivotal moment for NEAR Protocol? Our advanced analysis—leveraging on-chain indicators, technical signals, market data, and a proprietary algorithmic approach—digs deep into NEAR's performance trends over the last three years. By integrating diverse analytical perspectives and sectoral context, we uncover why NEAR Protocol could once again become a strategic entry point for investors in the rapidly evolving Layer 1 blockchain ecosystem in 2025.

Recent Performance and Market Context

Price Evolution

NEAR Protocol's price, currently at $2.43 USD (as of June 8, 2025), has exhibited pronounced volatility throughout the past year. After bottoming out in early 2025, NEAR recorded a healthy rebound from the $2.20–$2.25 support zone, consolidating within the broader $2.20–$2.60 channel over the last six months. The asset recorded a 24h change between +4.7% and +5.1%, with weekly data showing a minor retracement (-8.7% from its 7-day high)—highlighting both residual uncertainty and underlying market resilience following Q1's downturn.

Recent market capitalisation has stabilised at $2.95–$2.97 billion, with a consistently robust daily trading volume of $90–$101 million. Although the Q1 2025 sell-off resulted in a notable 47.4% market cap contraction, NEAR has since maintained critical technical levels, exhibiting signs of structural recovery.

Recent Positive Events

• Nightshade 2.0 Upgrade: The launch of Nightshade 2.0 marks a significant leap in sharding architecture, enhancing network scalability and transaction throughput while reducing congestion.
• AI Integration: Strategic focus on AI convergence, spearheaded by CEO Illia Polosukhin, positions NEAR at the crossroads of two of the fastest-growing tech verticals.
• Major Partnerships: Collaborations with Eigen Labs and further integration into the Ethereum Layer-2 ecosystem (notably for fast finality solutions) expand NEAR’s cross-chain relevance and technological depth.

Favourable Macro/Industry Environment

The sector’s broader trends—accelerating institutional adoption of on-chain AI tooling, Layer 1 interoperability solutions, and the resurgence of risk appetite in global crypto markets—create a constructive backdrop for assets with strong tech fundamentals, such as NEAR. With global regulatory headwinds largely absorbed and increased transparency around staking protocols, Layer 1 protocols with innovative approaches are again capturing investor interest.

Technical Analysis

Core Indicators

• RSI (14-day): Oscillating between 47.56 and 51, NEAR hovers in neutral territory. This reflects a market neither overbought nor oversold, typically preceding directional moves—potentially favouring renewed price discovery.
• MACD: Despite recent bearish crossovers, price action has started to decouple, with a lessening of downside momentum, hinting at an exhaustion of the selling phase.
• 200-day Moving Average: NEAR is currently trading just below its long-term average, yet price is consolidating just above the $2.40–$2.50 support cluster—a zone repeatedly defended by buyers.

Support/Resistance Levels

• Solid Support: $2.20–$2.25 (historical floor), reinforced at $2.40–$2.50—a region showing significant reaction volume and validating as a buy-the-dip area.
• Immediate Resistance: $2.50–$2.60; a decisive break above here could trigger a shift to a pronounced uptrend.

Momentum and Structure

Market structure signals increasing probability for a bullish reversal, contingent on a close above the $2.60 resistance. The relatively high trading volumes alongside positive day-to-day swings suggest growing investor conviction and accumulation by market participants. Overall, technicals justify a constructive stance for both short- and medium-term positioning as downside risks subside.

Fundamental Analysis

Adoption, Ecosystem, and Partnerships

• Ecosystem Growth: Despite a temporary decline in developer engagement during Q1 2025, NEAR retains one of the most active infrastructures for new decentralised application development. The renewed emphasis on AI-backed dApps and user-centric platforms points to a maturing ecosystem with evolving use cases.
• Strategic Alliances: Multiple partnerships with foundational actors in the Web3 and Ethereum Layer-2 segments have enhanced developer accessibility and broadened market reach.
• Value Proposition: The focus on usability—especially through simple wallet design and onboarding processes—has translated into strong user growth and higher transaction activity.

Valuation and Market Position

• Attractive Valuation: Trading at a market cap of $2.95–$2.97 billion and FDV below $3.1 billion, NEAR sits at an attractive discount relative to high-multiplier Layer 1 peers.
• Staking and Deflationary Pressure: With an inflation rate of ~5% offset by high staking ratios (reducing liquid supply) and robust validator incentives, NEAR balances network security with value preservation.
• Volume and Liquidity: Sustained 24-hour trading volumes above $90 million reflect ample market depth and consistent liquidity—an essential dynamic for larger capital allocations.

Technological Edges and Differentiation

• Sharding Leadership: Nightshade sharding enables parallel execution and high throughput, a substantial competitive edge as demand for scalable blockchain solutions intensifies.
• AI-First Vision: NEAR's integration of confidential and decentralised AI computation pre-positions it as a frontrunner for new, privacy-centric on-chain applications.
• Active Community: Governance via token holders, foundation oversight, and consistent developer funding anchor a vibrant and committed user base.

Competitive Standing

NEAR's renewed concentration on cross-chain interoperability and effective onboarding mechanisms enables a blue-chip status among Layer 1s—especially attractive as Ethereum congestion and cost challenges persist.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Protocol Updates and Ecosystem Expansion

• Next-Gen Upgrades: Anticipated protocol enhancements (post-Nightshade 2.0) are projected to drive up both transaction efficiency and overall ecosystem value.
• Integration Wave: New DeFi/NFT projects are increasingly deploying on NEAR, benefiting from cheap fees and rapid finality, while upcoming integration of off-chain AI tooling may unlock entirely new user segments.
• Institutional/Enterprise Moves: Strong narratives around AI/blockchain integration are catching institutional allocators' attention, potentially heralding larger flows as regulatory clarity progresses.

Regulatory and Use-Case Tailwinds

As global regulators continue to endorse transparent Proof-of-Stake mechanisms and on-chain identity, NEAR’s strong technological framework and compliance capabilities position it to benefit from the next phase of institutional and transactional adoption.

Investment Strategies by Time Horizon

Short-Term (Weeks–Months)

• Buy-the-Dip Tactics: Current price in the $2.40–$2.50 accumulation zone presents an ideal window for nimble traders, especially if NEAR re-tests recent lows with improving technicals.
• Catalyst Trading: Entry ahead of expected ecosystem updates (or following volumes spikes on positive news) allows for positioning into potential momentum runs, with risk defined by support at ~$2.20.

Medium-Term (Quarter–Year)

• Breakout Anticipation: A confirmed break above $2.60 would confirm trend reversal. Accumulating on confirmed dips, or scaling in through recurrent volatility, aligns with anticipated technical and fundamental inflections.
• Macro Rotation Play: As investor focus pivots back to scalable and AI-linked Layer 1s, NEAR stands to capture outsized flows relative to peers.

Long-Term (Multi-year)

• Structural Allocations: The medium-to-long-term thesis favours a strong compounder, benefiting from ecosystem network effects, continuous technology upgrades, and mainstream adoption trends.
• Yield Enhancement: Engaging in staking maximises compounded returns, as network participation directly rewards token holders and potentially mitigates inflationary erosion.

Price Predictions for NEAR Protocol

Is Now the Right Moment to Consider NEAR Protocol?

NEAR Protocol presents a compelling risk/reward scenario for crypto investors in 2025. Key strengths include:

• Proven scalability and efficiency through Nightshade sharding and successful delivery on protocol upgrades.
• Unique exposure to the fast-growing AI/blockchain convergence theme, positioning NEAR at the intersection of two transformative megatrends.
• Strategic, high-profile partnerships and ecosystem expansion, suggesting both network health and future growth.
• Robust liquidity, healthy staking participation, and an accessible valuation relative to peers.
• Multiple near-term and long-term catalysts—including further ecosystem integrations and growing institutional awareness—support a sustained structural uptrend.

In light of the recent price consolidation, solid technical underpinnings, and rapidly evolving fundamentals, NEAR Protocol’s risk/reward dynamic seems to represent an excellent opportunity for both active traders and long-term allocators. The protocol’s relentless pace of innovation, combined with a powerful ecosystem and sectoral tailwinds, underpins the case for renewed investor attention.

NEAR Protocol remains a high-volatility crypto asset, yet its recent acceleration demonstrates its ability to deliver swift, significant upward price action. With the next key protocol update slated for Q2 2025 and technical support solidly established, NEAR appears poised to begin a new cycle of outperformance—inviting informed investors to consider its strategic potential in the emerging Web3 and AI-enabled blockchain landscape.

How to buy NEAR Protocol?

It’s now easy and secure to buy NEAR Protocol (NEAR) directly online in Australia, thanks to regulated cryptocurrency platforms. As an investor, you can choose between two main methods: spot buying (where you own real NEAR coins) or trading with crypto CFDs (Contracts for Difference), which let you speculate on price movements without holding the asset. Each method suits different profiles and objectives. Not sure which platform to pick? Don’t worry—find a comparison of leading Australian crypto brokers further down the page.

Spot Purchase

Buying NEAR Protocol “spot” means you directly acquire the real tokens, stored in a wallet you control—either on the platform or, for extra security, in your personal wallet. In Australia, exchanges usually charge a fixed fee for each transaction, ranging from AUD $2 to $10, or around 0.2% of the order amount.

Important example

Example:
Suppose the current price of NEAR Protocol is $2.43 USD (~$3.70 AUD). With an investment of AUD $1,000, you could buy about 270 NEAR coins (AUD $1,000 ÷ $3.70 ≈ 270), accounting for a typical transaction fee of $5 AUD.

✔️ Gain Scenario:
If NEAR Protocol rises by 10%, your portfolio would then be worth $1,100 AUD. Result: $100 gain before fees, a +10% return on your investment.

Trading via CFD

Trading NEAR Protocol through CFDs means you don’t own the actual coins. Instead, you speculate on their price movement, allowing you to go long (betting price will rise) or short (betting it will fall). CFD trading involves a spread (the difference between buy/sell price) and possible overnight financing fees if you hold the position beyond a day.

Important example

Example:
You open a NEAR CFD position with AUD $1,000 and choose 5x leverage. You now have $5,000 market exposure. If NEAR Protocol rises by 8%, your profit is 8% × 5 = 40%. That’s a $400 AUD gain on your $1,000 margin (excluding fees).

✔️ Gain Scenario:
A move of +8% on NEAR’s price delivers a +40% return (AUD $400) with leverage, though losses are amplified the same way.

Final Advice

Always compare fee structures, regulatory status, and features of each crypto exchange or broker before investing. The right approach—spot buying vs. CFD trading—depends on your risk tolerance, goals, and experience. For a detailed platform comparison tailored for Australian investors, see our guide further down the page.

Our 7 tips for buying NEAR Protocol

The latest news about the NEAR Protocol

NEAR Protocol’s major upgrade to Nightshade 2.0 has greatly enhanced the network’s scalability and usability.
This scalable sharding technology is a key differentiator for NEAR and is especially attractive for institutional and fintech partners in Australia, where blockchain adoption is intensifying across both enterprise and government pilots. Since the upgrade, NEAR’s network capacity and performance metrics have made it one of the technically advanced Layer 1s—a factor driving interest from local Web3 developers and DeFi innovators, supported by several Australian exchanges listing NEAR and reporting steady liquidity.

Following its recent focus on AI-blockchain convergence, NEAR has gained recognition as a pioneer in decentralized, confidential AI computation.
Australian tech media and local Web3 thought leaders have highlighted NEAR’s initiatives—particularly under CEO Illia Polosukhin, who maintains ties to Asia-Pacific tech accelerators—for their relevance in Australia’s rapidly expanding AI startup sector. This has spurred early-stage collaborations and pilot projects, including developer grant applications, by Aussie teams aiming to leverage NEAR’s infrastructure for secure, compliant AI solutions.

Market data covering the last seven days demonstrates stabilization for NEAR, with a 24-hour price increase over 4.7% and significant support in the $2.40–$2.50 range.
Despite a previous 8.7% weekly drawdown, technical indicators have shifted from bearish momentum toward a more neutral outlook, as the RSI hovers near 50. Local trading desks, including those operating on Australian-regulated exchanges, report healthy volumes and rising staking interest—reflecting both resilience following the broader market’s recent corrections and optimism as global and regional investor sentiment recovers.

Strategic partnerships, notably NEAR's integration with Eigen Labs for Ethereum L2 fast finality, reinforce its appeal in the Asia-Pacific crypto market.
Australian blockchain consultancies and cross-chain solution providers have signaled interest in NEAR’s compatibility with Ethereum and other major protocols, citing heightened demand for interoperable infrastructure among institutional investors and decentralised app builders eager to transcend siloed ecosystems. This alignment supports NEAR’s inclusion in multi-chain investment strategies gaining traction among Australia’s diversified digital asset managers.

Positive regulatory momentum in Australia is favoring utility blockchains like NEAR, which offer robust governance and staking mechanisms.
Industry sources confirm that NEAR’s decentralized governance and proof-of-stake consensus are referenced as best-practice models by local fintech think tanks and compliance advisors. With continued parliamentary and ASIC-led reviews of digital asset frameworks, NEAR’s transparent tokenomics and commitment to responsible innovation position it as a suitable candidate for increased institutional allocation and for infrastructure pilots under Australian regulatory sandboxes.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.

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