Near Protocol (NEAR) is capturing renewed investor attention amid growing institutional interest in AI-driven blockchain assets. A recent surge in market activity and technical indicators points to strong bullish momentum, with price targets suggesting a potential 23% increase. This shift comes on the heels of a significant development: Bitwise Europe’s launch of a NEAR staking exchange-traded product (ETP) on Deutsche Börse Xetra, marking a pivotal moment for regulated exposure to one of the leading artificial intelligence (AI)-native blockchains.
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Institutional Backing: Bitwise NEAR Staking ETP Goes Live
On Wednesday, Bitwise Europe officially launched its NEAR staking ETP, trading under the ticker NEAR, on Germany’s Xetra exchange—Europe’s largest trading venue for ETFs and ETPs. This move underscores increasing institutional appetite for digital assets tied to artificial intelligence and decentralized infrastructure.
The ETP is designed to provide investors with regulated, transparent access to NEAR’s ecosystem while offering yield through staking. The product will stake its underlying NEAR holdings, aiming for an estimated net annual return of approximately 5.5% after fees. A significant portion of the staked tokens will also be used to provide liquidity on regulated platforms, enhancing market depth and stability.
“Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of the Near Foundation, emphasized that NEAR was built to enable a new kind of internet—one where AI serves individuals rather than centralized platforms,” highlighting the long-term vision behind the protocol. “This ETP brings that vision closer to global investors seeking exposure to next-generation blockchain innovation.”
With a current market cap of **$2.8 billion**, NEAR ranks as the second-largest AI-focused cryptocurrency, just behind Bittensor (TAO), which holds a $2.9 billion valuation. The introduction of a regulated staking product in Europe signals growing confidence in NEAR’s technology and its role in powering decentralized AI applications and smart agents.
👉 Explore how staking innovations are unlocking passive income in the crypto space.
Technical Outlook: Breaking Key Resistance Toward $2.74 Target
From a technical perspective, NEAR has established a promising bullish structure following a head-and-shoulders reversal (H&S) pattern on the daily chart. This classic reversal formation suggests a shift from bearish to bullish sentiment, especially after price broke above the critical neckline resistance at $2.23.
As of this writing, NEAR is trading at $2.26, holding firmly above key moving averages:
- 50-day EMA at $2.15
- 100-day EMA at $2.17
- 200-day EMA at $2.26 (now acting as dynamic resistance)
The breakout extended to an intraday high of **$2.36**, followed by a pullback that retested the former resistance—now support—at $2.23. This successful retest reinforces the validity of the breakout and strengthens the bullish case.
The MACD indicator has confirmed positive momentum, maintaining a buy signal since Wednesday. As long as the blue MACD line remains above the red signal line, upward pressure is likely to persist. Traders are watching this indicator closely as a gauge of continued buying interest.
Based on the measured move of the H&S pattern, the projected upside target is $2.74, representing a potential 23% gain from the breakout point. This target is derived by adding the height of the pattern (from head to neckline) to the breakout level.
However, traders should remain cautious near the $2.26 zone, where the 200-day EMA may act as short-term resistance. If profit-taking intensifies, support levels to watch include:
- $2.23 (former neckline, now support)
- $2.17 (100-day EMA)
- $2.15 (50-day EMA)
A sustained close below $2.23 could indicate weakening momentum and prompt a reassessment of near-term bullish expectations.
Market Sentiment and Derivatives Activity
Market sentiment around NEAR has turned increasingly positive, reflected in derivatives data. Open interest across futures markets has risen by 7% to $237 million, signaling growing participation and confidence in directional bets.
Trading volume surged by 61% to $649 million**, indicating heightened liquidity and broader market engagement. Despite this optimism, total liquidations over the past 24 hours reached **$628,000, with long positions accounting for $137,000 and shorts suffering losses totaling $490,000—suggesting that bearish bets were caught offside during the rally.
This imbalance in liquidations further confirms the dominance of bullish momentum and may encourage additional short-covering in the near term.
👉 See how derivatives trends can predict the next big moves in crypto markets.
Core Keywords Integration
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a staking ETP?
A: A staking Exchange Traded Product (ETP) allows investors to gain exposure to a cryptocurrency while earning rewards from staking. Unlike traditional ETFs, staking ETPs actively participate in network validation to generate yield, typically distributing net returns after fees.
Q: How does the head-and-shoulders reversal pattern work?
A: The H&S pattern is a technical chart formation that signals a potential trend reversal from bearish to bullish. It consists of three peaks—the middle one being the highest (the "head")—with two lower peaks (the "shoulders"). A breakout above the "neckline" confirms the reversal, with a price target calculated by adding the pattern's height to the breakout point.
Q: Is NEAR a good AI crypto investment in 2025?
A: NEAR Protocol is positioned as a leading AI-native blockchain, supporting decentralized AI agents and user-owned systems. With institutional products like Bitwise’s ETP entering the market and strong technical momentum, it remains a compelling option for investors focused on AI and Web3 convergence.
Q: What is the expected return from staking NEAR?
A: The Bitwise NEAR staking ETP targets a net annual return of approximately 5.5% after fees, making it attractive for income-seeking investors looking for regulated exposure to crypto assets.
Q: Where can I buy NEAR staking products in Europe?
A: The Bitwise NEAR staking ETP is listed on Deutsche Börse Xetra under the ticker NEAR, providing European investors with easy access via traditional brokerage accounts.
Q: What factors could affect NEAR’s price in the short term?
A: Key factors include technical resistance at $2.26 (200-day EMA), broader market sentiment, Bitcoin’s performance, and macroeconomic data affecting risk appetite. Continued staking adoption and institutional inflows could further support upward movement.
The convergence of institutional innovation, technical strength, and growing interest in AI-native blockchains positions NEAR Protocol for sustained momentum in 2025. As regulated financial products expand access and staking rewards enhance yield potential, NEAR stands out as a strategic player in the evolving digital asset landscape.