NEAR Protocol posted a sharp rally on July 17-18, surging 11.6% from $2.81 to a session high of $3.04 before settling at $2.84.

The rally coincides with a broader resurgence in altcoins and AI-focused crypto projects, which are drawing capital inflows as traders rotate out of large-cap assets.

The broader altcoin market has entered what analysts describe as an “early-stage altcoin season,” with smaller-cap tokens outperforming bitcoin and ether.

AI-linked cryptocurrencies are leading gains as investors bet on emerging narratives in blockchain-based machine learning. NEAR’s price action reflects this sentiment shift, with institutional players focusing on high-potential protocols.

Support levels held firm at $2.70, while resistance formed near $3.03 as disciplined portfolio managers engaged in profit-taking. The data indicates measured participation by large players rather than volatile retail-driven spikes.

Technical Analysis Highlights

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