Of Speculations: Is Near Protocol Really Headed for $150?
The crypto industry is no stranger to bold predictions. Recently, one of the hottest debates in the AI-powered blockchain space has been around Near Protocol (NEAR).
Once seen as just another Layer-1 competitor, NEAR has steadily climbed the ladder, gaining recognition for its low fees, scalability, and unique focus on AI-native applications.
But with all this growth comes speculation some of it reasonable, some of it over-ambitious.
Recently, an expert claimed that NEAR could soar to $150 per token in the near future. This statement has raised eyebrows across the industry. The question is: How realistic is such a projection?
The Case for Near’s Rise
The bullish argument behind NEAR’s surge rests on several strong points:
1. Network Stability Compared to Competitors
Unlike Solana, which has suffered multiple high-profile outages, NEAR has maintained a reputation for stability. This reliability is a major selling point for developers and institutions looking for sustainable infrastructure.
2. Ultra-Low Fees and Fast Settlement
NEAR transactions cost less than a cent and finalize almost instantly. This efficiency has made it a favorable choice for users frustrated with Ethereum’s high gas fees or Solana’s occasional network congestion.
3. Chain Abstraction & User-Friendly Wallets
One of NEAR’s most innovative developments is chain abstraction a feature that allows a single wallet to interact seamlessly across multiple blockchains.
This interoperability could position NEAR as the most user-friendly gateway to Web3.
4. Rising Daily Volume & On-Chain Activity
According to data cited by industry experts, NEAR’s daily trading volume jumped from just $2M in early 2025 to over $20M today, a sign of accelerating adoption.
Daily transactions now range between 10M–50M, reportedly surpassing Avalanche.
5. Active Wallets Surging
NEAR has over 1.5 million monthly active wallets, more than Avalanche or Aptos, and it is steadily catching up to Solana. Such user engagement signals a healthy ecosystem rather than speculative hype.
6. Focus on AI-Native Apps
Unlike many chains still focused primarily on DeFi or NFTs, NEAR is actively positioning itself as the blockchain for AI-native applications. Experts argue this gives it a long-term competitive edge in a sector poised to dominate the next wave of crypto growth.
Taken together, these factors paint NEAR as one of the most rapidly expanding ecosystems outside of Ethereum.
For this reason, some analysts argue that NEAR has the potential to break into the top five blockchains by market capitalization.
But is $150 Realistic?
Here’s where caution is needed. While NEAR’s fundamentals are impressive, jumping from its current price of around $2.50 to $150 represents a 60x increase. To put that in perspective, NEAR has not even reclaimed its all-time high (ATH) of $20 reached in 2022.
Crypto markets are fiercely competitive. For NEAR to justify a $150 valuation, it would require not just steady adoption but also a massive reallocation of capital away from rivals like Solana, Avalanche, and even Ethereum. Such transitions rarely happen overnight.
A more grounded speculation would place NEAR’s short-to-midterm targets in the $5–$10 range, aligning with organic growth and realistic market expansion.
While $150 is not impossible in the very long term, it would likely require:
A full-scale AI adoption wave built directly on NEAR.
Consistent outperformance of major rivals in uptime, speed, and adoption.
Strong partnerships with enterprises and developers that lock the ecosystem into mainstream usage.
Without these, such lofty valuations risk fueling unrealistic expectations that can harm rather than help investors.
Why I say Balanced Speculation Matters
Crypto thrives on ambition, but it also suffers when hype gets ahead of reality. Speculating that NEAR could hit $150 soon risks creating false hope, anxiety, and disappointment among investors.
Healthy speculation should encourage optimism while remaining grounded in achievable milestones.
Yes, NEAR has incredible potential. Yes, its infrastructure is ahead of most competitors. But growth should be measured and celebrated step by step. After all, sustainable adoption not overnight dreams is what builds lasting ecosystems.
My Final Thoughts
Near Protocol is undeniably one of the most exciting blockchain ecosystems in 2025. Its innovations in chain abstraction, low-cost transactions, and AI-native applications set it apart from many of its rivals.
However, while the future is bright, a leap to $150 is highly premature at this stage.
Investors and enthusiasts should focus on NEAR’s gradual, organic growth rather than chasing speculative moonshots.
With patience, resilience, and continued development, NEAR could one day reach heights few expect but for now, the most realistic path is steady progress rather than unrealistic leaps.
Optimism should inspire, not mislead. NEAR’s story is just beginning, and it’s a marathon not a sprint.
