CoinMeta data: The NEAR cryptocurrency rose by 198% in the third quarter of 2026. The Matt Hougan Chief Investment Officer pointed out in a memo on October 7th that the cumulative intended trading volume of NEAR has exceeded $30 billion, with an estimated cost of around $45 million this year. He stated that AI represents an even greater opportunity, but the current business does not rely on its arrival. The NEAR network claims to be the “blockchain of AI,” but its most tangible appeal comes from ordinary users. NEAR aims to allow users to move between blockchains without having to deal with the usual variety of wallets, bridges, and exchanges. Reports indicate that the performance of NEAR does not prove that AI triggered this rise; rather, it is a combination of existing network activity with a long-term AI vision.