NEAR Protocol Dominates AI Coin Trading Volume — But Can It Rebound From a 90% Crash? - Crypto Economy

TL;DR:

• NEAR has surpassed $317 million in daily volume, positioning itself above competitors like Bittensor (TAO) and Render (RENDER).
• As of March 13, 2026, NEAR’s AI ecosystem records more than 747 active agents and has generated a total of 2,251 on-chain jobs.
• A report from SVRN Research projects a price target between $25 and $300 for the year 2030, contingent on the adoption of its infrastructure.

So far in March, the AI segment of the crypto market has shown a bullish divergence, growing 23.7%. In this context, NEAR Protocol dominates AI coin trading volume, pushed by a narrative of real utility following the activation of its “Fee Switch” in February 2026. This mechanism automatically converts 100% of the fees generated by NEAR Intents into direct buying pressure for the token.

The protocol dominates activity, but the asset is hovering around $1.35, representing a 39.4% recovery over the last 30 days; however, the token remains 90% below its historical high from the previous cycle. Technically, the RSI shows an accumulation zone while analysts, such as Michaël van de Poppe, suggest that the next short-term target lies at the $2 resistance level.


New Catalysts for a Long-Term Recovery

NEAR’s infrastructure was specifically designed to support AI agents and cross-chain transactions. This approach allows the protocol to capture capital that previously flowed toward traditional smart contract platforms. The ability to execute automated “jobs” through agents has validated the practical use of the network beyond financial speculation.

Nonetheless, the path to total recovery is still challenging due to extreme volatility and market sentiment that borders on fear. The AI industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and although NEAR has demonstrated technical resilience, its success will depend on maintaining the growth of its agent network against emerging competition in 2026.

In summary, NEAR Protocol is currently the volume leader in the AI niche thanks to profound changes in its token economy and technical utility. Although the gap from its all-time high is deep, the current fundamentals present a scenario for sustained recovery over the coming years.