- NEAR jumps 11% to $2.98 as Nvidia’s $5B Intel stake sparks AI crypto rally.
- AI tokens surge with NEAR, TAO, Render and The Graph gaining on chip deal optimism.
- NEAR eyes $3.6–$4 breakout as AI adoption and bullish charts fuel momentum.
NEAR Protocol price jumped more than 11% in 24 hours to hit $2.98 amid a broader rally in AI-linked cryptocurrencies.
The AI token’s uptick aligned with momentum that stemmed from Nvidia’s strategic $5 billion investment in Intel, with Bittensor, Render and The Graph among the top crypto AI gainers.
Tokens like Aster jumped 500% on Thursday.
NEAR price retests $2.98 as Nvidia news boosts AI tokens
NEAR Protocol’s token experienced a sharp uptick, retesting the $2.98 resistance level with an 11% pump.
This came after the cryptocurrency traded to lows of $2.70 earlier in the week, and the surge aligns with the overall crypto bounce and Nvidia’s announcement of a $5 billion equity stake in Intel.
This deal, which includes collaborative development of AI-optimized PC and data center chips.
It’s a move that points to Nvidia’s push to fortify US semiconductor capabilities amid global supply chain tensions.
The investment arrives at a pivotal moment for Intel, following a $9 billion US government stake via the CHIPS Act and a $2 billion infusion from SoftBank, bolstering Intel’s balance sheet and foundry ambitions without immediate reliance on Nvidia’s manufacturing needs.
AI tokens surge
For the AI crypto ecosystem, this move amplifies optimism as the partnership signals the AI chipmaker’s potential to “innovate for customers” as it grows its business.
NEAR, designed as an AI-native blockchain with sharding technology enabling up to 100,000 transactions per second, stands to benefit if momentum catalyzes price gains.
The protocol’s Nightshade consensus and tools like Near Tasks for AI agents resonate with Nvidia’s ecosystem, and key integrations may see the altcoin explode further.
Today’s Nvidia-fueled pump has similarly lifted the AI token sector: TAO climbed 7.7%,RENDER 8%, and The Graph (GRT) 5.9%, per CoinMarketCap data.
Broader market tailwinds, including Bitcoin’s recovery to above $117,600, have added an uplift to the upswing.
NEAR’s market cap moved back above $3.7 billion to rank 34th among top cryptocurrencies.
What’s next for NEAR price?
NEAR’s trajectory hinges on sustained AI momentum and technical breakouts targeting $3.6.
Both the RSI and MACD on the daily chart support upside continuation.
A look at the chart also shows a potential triangle pattern breakout.
NEAR price chart by TradingView
While downturn risks include macroeconomic headwinds, such as potential US regulatory scrutiny on AI chips or broader crypto volatility, NEAR has the potential to see levels above $4 in coming weeks.
The project’s protocol upgrades and global AI adoption trends could allow bulls to target highs of $8.
On the flip side, primary support could be around $2.62.
