- Near Foundation is investing $20 million to boost AI-powered blockchain projects.
- The fund will focus on gaming, DeFi, and automated trading.
- Despite the announcement, NEAR’s token dropped 3%.
- AI is gaining traction in crypto, but some investors remain skeptical.
The Near Foundation has just launched a $20 million fund aimed at helping AI-powered applications thrive on its blockchain.
1/18 – The @NEARProtocol agent ecosystem is expanding rapidly with innovative use-cases that make NEAR more accessible and fun!
— NEAR AI (@near_ai) January 23, 2025
Here's a thread highlighting 10 amazing agent projects and 3 agent creation platforms that you can try right now 🧵👇
The money will be used to develop AI-driven gaming, automated trading, and decentralized finance (DeFi). Near says the goal is to create a new wave of AI-powered blockchain services.
But the market reaction? Not so enthusiastic.
Despite the announcement, NEAR’s token fell by 3%, showing that investors aren’t jumping in just yet.
What’s the Plan?
Near Foundation isn’t just throwing money around. The fund will specifically support projects that use AI for:
– Smarter Trading Bots – AI helping traders make better decisions.
– Next-Gen Gaming – Blockchain-based AI-powered games.
– DeFi Upgrades – AI managing lending, borrowing, and financial transactions.
The foundation believes AI can redefine how Web3 apps work, making blockchain more efficient and user-friendly.
“We want to go beyond just simple AI integrations and push real, groundbreaking use cases,” the Near team said.
To back this up, Near is also running hackathons and accelerator programs to bring in developers.
AI & Crypto: The Big Picture
AI isn’t just hype—it’s a major trend in both tech and finance.
– Nvidia’s CEO says AI will be a multi-trillion-dollar industry.
– OpenAI’s Sam Altman predicts AI will replace human jobs in 2025.
– Big firms like Franklin Templeton are investing heavily in AI-related crypto projects.
But here’s the issue: AI-focused cryptos haven’t been performing well lately.
– AI token prices dropped 15% in the last few weeks.
– Some investors think AI in crypto is overhyped.
Even within the crypto world, not everyone is convinced. A recent survey of Solana developers found that many are skeptical about AI’s role in blockchain.
Market Reaction: NEAR Token Falls 3%
– Current NEAR Price: $3.22
– 24h Change: -3%
While Near’s AI push is a bold move, traders seem hesitant.
Some worry that AI agents on blockchain might take years to gain real traction. Others think the market is just being cautious after recent AI token crashes.
A Smart Bet or Just Hype?
Near’s $20 million investment in AI-driven blockchain projects is a big step forward.
But will it actually change the game or just be another crypto experiment?
For now, the market isn’t convinced—but if AI agents do take off, Near could be ahead of the curve.
