NEAR token jumps 50% in a week, eyes $5 target after AI rally

NEAR Protocol’s native token surged 50% in the past seven days, reaching $2.34 and hitting six‑month highs on Friday [1]. The rally coincided with a wave of AI‑focused upgrades on the NEAR network and a bullish Nvidia revenue outlook that lifted sentiment across AI‑related crypto assets.

Trading volume exploded to $1.15 billion in the last 24 hours, up 190% from a week earlier, underscoring the intensity of buying pressure [1]. The price jump triggered roughly $9.85 million in short liquidations, catching many bearish traders off guard. NEAR’s network announced major upgrades targeting privacy, AI integration, and scaling, while Aurora, its Ethereum‑compatible layer, rolled out an updated Aurora Intents Widget that adds ADI Chain for smoother cross‑chain swaps [1].

The broader AI token sector also rallied, with Grass, OpenServe and Artificial Superintelligence Alliance posting 24‑hour gains of 27%, 21% and 11% respectively, and the total market cap of AI and big‑data crypto projects climbing 8% to $21.44 billion [1]. Nvidia’s dominant share of the AI accelerator market and its forecast of a $1 trillion revenue opportunity through 2027 further fueled optimism, echoing a February rally when Nvidia’s earnings lift sent NEAR up 58% [1].

Technical analysis shows NEAR breaking out of a multi‑year falling wedge that has constrained the price since late 2024. The token now faces resistance between $2.60 and $3.00, where major moving averages converge. A breach of this zone could open a measured target near $5.75, roughly 160% above current levels, while the RSI has risen to 63, indicating growing upward momentum [1]. MN Capital founder Michael van de Poppe called NEAR’s chart “one of the most bullish” and suggested that holding $1.40 as support would keep the upside intact, with near‑term resistance at $2‑2.5 and a next target around $2.75 [1].

If NEAR can sustain its breakout and clear the $2.60‑$3.00 supply zone, the $5‑$5.75 range becomes a realistic upside scenario; failure to do so could see the rally stall and invite renewed selling pressure. The coming weeks will test whether AI‑driven network upgrades and sector momentum can translate into a sustained price advance.