NEAR Protocol has grown beyond anyone’s expectations, surpassing 46 million MAUs in May of 2025. This achievement makes NEAR Protocol the second-largest Layer-1 blockchain and puts it in Solana’s direct competition as the top L1. NEAR Protocol growth has been impressive, but it operates under intense pressures. At the same time, its native token is trading below the 50-day and 100-day exponential moving averages (EMAs), showing a prevailing bearish market trend.
What makes the NEAR Protocol platform stand out is its user-friendly vision for the future of blockchain. This emphasis on the user experience has been reflected in massive user growth, most recently resulting in an estimated 46 million MAUs. Despite this strong user engagement on the platform, the price of its native token has taken hits. At press time, the token’s price is $2.37, down 6.30% in the past 24 hours.
Market Analysis of NEAR Protocol's Native Token
NEAR Protocol’s native token is currently trading at $0.792, down 4.01%, indicating a pronounced bearish trend. Further, it has recently declined below both its 50-day and 100-day EMAs. The token’s next support is seen at $2.20. The community expects that if the token can maintain this floor, a price rebound could eventually happen.
Taking a careful eye to the trading volume and order books will be important in understanding the fortitude of this support. A failure to hold above $2.20 could lead to further downward pressure, while a strong showing at this level might signal renewed buyer interest.
NEAR Protocol's Competitive Edge
The crypto market’s volatility and overall difficulty in recent times is no secret, NEAR Protocol has held the line. It keeps it competitive in the Layer-1 blockchain space. The platform's continued developments and focus on user experience contribute significantly to its ability to compete with established blockchains like Solana.
This massive surge in monthly active users is a clear indicator of NEAR Protocol’s growing adoption and relevance in the ever-evolving blockchain space. This metric is the most widely accepted indicator of the platform’s potential for long-term sustainability and growth.
Future Outlook and Challenges
In a fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, the real challenge for NEAR Protocol will be to maintain its positive, user-friendly attitude. Keeping its user base—46 million monthly active users and counting—growing and possibly expanding to those other user bases is key. This will prove instrumental to its future cross-chain competition against Solana.
Tackling the market’s anxieties about the price of its native token is still a major hurdle to clear. These strategic initiatives can build investor confidence and catalyze demand. These steps are important, but they’re not enough to stop the current tide of bad news and bearish sentiment.
