NEAR Protocol (NEAR) price forecast: target at $3 amid strong bullish recovery

  • NEAR Protocol targets $3 amid strong bullish momentum and trendline support.
  • Key resistance lies at $2.75–$2.80, and a breakout could fuel further gains.
  • For now, staying above $1.99 is crucial for NEAR to avoid downside toward $1.44.

NEAR Protocol (NEAR) is gaining renewed attention in the crypto market as bullish momentum builds following a prolonged slump.

The cryptocurrency has already seen a strong bounce in July, supported by solid fundamentals, technical strength, and growing market interest.

After months of declining prices and cautious sentiment, NEAR is now showing promising technical signals that could set the stage for a meaningful recovery in the coming weeks.

Recent price action suggests that NEAR may be poised to reclaim higher levels, with analysts eyeing the $3 mark as a key upside target.

Price action turns bullish as NEAR breaks key levels

Over the past 24 hours, NEAR has climbed steadily, registering a 4% gain, reclaiming levels above $2.60.

This rally comes amid a broader bullish wave across altcoins, led by Bitcoin’s surge to an all-time high above $123,000.

Importantly, NEAR has managed to break above its previous resistance around $2.62, a zone that has now flipped into support.

This level had capped several upside attempts in recent weeks, so reclaiming it reinforces the current bullish narrative.

The short-term trend remains positive, with the price forming higher lows and holding above an ascending trendline on the hourly chart.

The trendline has remained intact despite minor pullbacks, indicating strong buyer interest on dips.

Supply zone near $2.80 could act as a test

As price pushes toward the $2.75–$2.80 range, traders are now watching how NEAR behaves near this important supply zone. This area marks the first significant resistance where sellers may step in to stall the rally.

A clean breakout above $2.80 would likely trigger fresh momentum and pave the way for a move toward $3.21, with some analysts even projecting a further push to $3.86.

However, if the zone rejects price, a retest of the $2.55 support level could follow.

So far, the volume profile suggests strength behind the current move, with a sharp increase in buying activity on the breakout above $2.62.

As long as NEAR remains above $2.55, the bullish outlook is expected to remain valid.

Long-term downtrend may be reversing

While the short-term outlook appears promising, NEAR is still down more than 87% from its all-time high of $20.44, reached in January 2022.

Nonetheless, signs of a long-term recovery are starting to emerge.

According to analysts like those from CoinLore, maintaining a price floor above $1.99 is crucial for NEAR to continue climbing.

If this level holds, the next key resistance levels to watch will be $2.74, $3.21, and $3.86, respectively.

On the downside, any failure to hold the $1.99 level could expose NEAR to further losses, with $1.44 acting as the next major support.

However, current momentum and trend structure suggest that such a decline is unlikely unless broader market sentiment turns negative.

Near Protocol fundamentals support the technical rebound

Beyond the charts, NEAR’s technical fundamentals are also contributing to the renewed optimism.

Built as a scalable Layer 1 network, NEAR leverages advanced technologies such as Nightshade sharding and the Doomslug consensus mechanism to offer speed and efficiency for decentralised applications.

Recent network upgrades and a growing developer community are helping to strengthen the foundation of the NEAR ecosystem.

These improvements are beginning to attract new projects, signalling that confidence in the protocol is gradually returning.

Market forecasts also reflect a moderate long-term recovery, with average price targets for 2026 at around $3.44.

This suggests that while expectations are realistic, they also imply meaningful upside from current levels.

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Bernstein predicts Bitcoin to reach $200,000 by early 2026

  • As Bitcoin climbed to yet another all-time high above $123,000 on Monday.
  • Bernstein expects regulatory clarity in the US to be a major catalyst going forward.
  • “Our conviction in blockchain and digital assets has never been higher,” the analysts wrote.

As Bitcoin climbed to yet another all-time high above $123,000 on Monday, analysts at brokerage and research firm Bernstein reiterated their bullish outlook for the cryptocurrency, forecasting a prolonged market upcycle that could take Bitcoin to $200,000 by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

In a note to clients released Monday, the analysts—led by Gautam Chhugani—characterised the current bull market as “long and exhausting,” driven not by retail speculation but by deep institutional involvement, a clearer regulatory landscape, and foundational shifts in how digital assets are integrated into the global financial system.

“Our conviction in blockchain and digital assets has never been higher,” the analysts wrote, underscoring their confidence in a structurally different and more sustainable rally compared to past cycles.

Institutional flows replacing retail speculation

The analysts highlighted that this cycle stands apart from previous ones due to the dominance of institutional adoption, a point underscored by the rapid rise of spot bitcoin ETFs, which now hold over $150 billion in assets under management.

According to Bernstein, BlackRock’s IBIT ETF alone accounts for $84 billion of that total.

They also pointed to growing corporate treasury allocations — such as Strategy’s ongoing Bitcoin accumulation — as further evidence of a structural allocation trend that could support continued price appreciation toward the firm’s $200,000 target.

Bitcoin will continue to emerge as the world’s hard-money reserve asset, Bernstein wrote.

Regulation expected to accelerate US adoption

Bernstein expects regulatory clarity in the US to be a major catalyst going forward.

The firm said two pending legislative efforts — the CLARITY Act and the GENIUS Act — could help define jurisdictional boundaries between the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, while also establishing guardrails for stablecoins.

Such progress, the analysts argue, would position US platforms like Coinbase, Robinhood, and Circle as leading regulated entities in the crypto ecosystem, enabling wider participation from institutional investors.

Further, Bernstein said regulatory clarity would help reshore crypto trading activity, currently fragmented across offshore venues, and allow for the establishment of a US-based derivatives market for crypto futures and options.

Tokenisation and stablecoins seen as structural growth drivers

Beyond bitcoin, Bernstein expects broader blockchain adoption to be fueled by the tokenization of real-world assets — including money markets, equities, deposits, and credit.

This evolution would enable onchain capital markets offering instant, 24/7 settlement and programmable financial instruments, they said.

The analysts added that stablecoins, already approaching a $250 billion market, are playing a growing role in cross-border B2B and remittance payments.

Over time, they expect stablecoins to expand into mainstream retail and commercial payment systems, supported by improving compliance frameworks and distribution infrastructure.

Wallet adoption, currently estimated at around 50 million globally, could increase sharply as banks and businesses integrate blockchain-based systems, Bernstein said.

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Solana $170 breakout after memecoin launchpad Pump.fun record token sale

  • Solana price rises past $167 towards $170 after Pump.fun raises $500M in a record ICO.
  • $75K in PUMP tokens have been burned due to a wallet cleanup mistake.
  • Kraken has pledged a PUMP airdrop to users affected by sale glitches.

Solana (SOL) has surged past the $167 following a wave of momentum generated by the explosive success of Pump.fun. This new memecoin launchpad raised over $500 million in a record-breaking token sale.

The rally comes at a time when the broader crypto market is rising, buoyed by Bitcoin’s surge to a new ATH.

Analysts and traders are closely watching Solana’s price movement, as the network’s memecoin ecosystem appears to fuel both retail enthusiasm and whale interest at scale.

Pump.fun’s wild $500M ICO stuns crypto market

Pump.fun, a user-friendly token issuance platform built on the Solana blockchain, has made headlines by conducting one of the largest initial coin offerings in crypto history.

The platform raised an astonishing $500 million, with $448.5 million flowing in directly through its website in just 12 minutes, showcasing unparalleled demand and virality.

This overwhelming investor response highlights the strong appetite for Solana-based memecoin projects, especially those that simplify the token creation process for everyday users.

Around $51.5 million of the total ICO came through centralised exchanges, further reinforcing broad-based interest from both institutional and retail participants.

Although memecoin launches often spark scepticism, the scale of this ICO marks a major moment for Solana’s positioning in the DeFi and speculative token space.

PUMP token ownership concentration raises eyebrows

Despite the impressive raise, concerns are emerging over the concentration of token ownership within the PUMP ecosystem.

Data shows that the top 340 wallets acquired more than $300 million worth of PUMP tokens, representing about 60% of the entire ICO.

This level of centralisation has raised questions among traders about the future stability and decentralisation of the token, especially if large holders choose to exit positions suddenly.

Still, others argue that such early-stage accumulation by whales is typical in crypto fundraising and does not automatically indicate market manipulation.

$75K PUMP token burn sparks cleanup tool debate

While the hype around PUMP has been largely positive, one Solana user made headlines after accidentally burning $75,000 worth of tokens during a wallet cleanup.

Using an automated tool to clear what they believed were junk airdropped tokens, the user unknowingly included valuable PUMP tokens in the process, causing an irreversible loss.

The incident quickly spread across the Solana community, sparking debate over the safety and design of automated wallet management tools.

Experts have warned that such tools, though convenient, can be dangerous if used without verifying token values, especially during early distribution phases when token metadata may not be clearly labelled.

Some observers noted that the accidental burn could have a bullish effect by slightly reducing the token’s supply, potentially increasing scarcity.

Kraken responds to user complaints with an airdrop pledge

In response to the controversy surrounding the PUMP token sale, Kraken co-founder Arjun Sethi stepped forward with a pledge to compensate affected users.

Sethi confirmed that Kraken reviewed its internal logs and identified users who experienced issues during the launch due to system glitches.

He promised an airdrop of PUMP tokens once the token becomes tradable, aiming to rebuild trust and improve transparency among the platform’s user base.

The move has been seen as a positive gesture, signalling Kraken’s commitment to user protection in a chaotic and fast-moving market segment.

Solana price surge towards $170

Following these developments, Solana’s native token, SOL, has risen to $167.92, at press time, pushing near the psychological resistance level of $170.

The highly anticipated breakout above $170 comes amid rising 24-hour trading volume, which has hit over $12.6 billion, and a market cap that now approaches $90 billion.

Notably, SOL’s price has climbed nearly 15% over the past month, as momentum from memecoin speculation converges with growing institutional interest in Solana-based protocols.

As traders look ahead, critical questions remain around sustainability, decentralisation, and platform innovation within the Solana ecosystem.

For now, the combination of speculative interest, high-profile support, and developer activity is propelling Solana (SOL) into the spotlight, with many wondering just how high it can go.

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Stellar (XLM) targets 30% jump as Bitcoin surges past $122.5K on ‘crypto week’

  • Bitcoin crosses the $122,500 milestone on Monday, bolstering overall market sentiments.
  • Optimism emerges as US lawmakers prepare for crucial crypto votes this week.
  • XLM targets continued uptrends to $0.681 resistance.

Bitcoin opened the week on a bullish leg as US regulatory developments propelled prices to historic highs of $122,540 on Monday.

BTC’s rally to new all-time highs has reignited enthusiasm in the cryptocurrency market, and Stellar’s native token appears ready to lead altcoin breakouts.

XLM has breached crucial resistances with soaring volumes, signaling extended gains in the short term.

The current broad-based rallies support the altcoin’s bullish trajectory.

Analyst Javon Marks trusts XLM might surge to the next obstacle at $0.681.

That would mean a 29.94% upswing from Stellar’s current market price of $0.4771.

Legislative moves propel BTC to ATHs

Bitcoin surpassed the $120,000 milestone for the first time today as investors braced for the long-awaited regulatory modifications in the US.

Notably, the United States House prepares to vote on three key crypto-related bills this week.

First and foremost, they will debate the GENIUS Act, which focuses on regulating stablecoins such as USDT and USDC.

It will head to Donald Trump if passed. The US president has vowed to support crypto growth in the United States.

Also, the House will vote for the CLARITY Act.

It aims to monitor crypto market structures.

Nate Geraci's X Post
Source: Nate Geraci’s X Post

Finally, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act proposes prohibiting the Fed from issuing a central bank digital currency.

Besides the political theatrics, these legislative moves will reshape the cryptocurrency regulatory tone.

The possibilities of friendlier policies due to the current pro-crypto government ignited optimism in the digital assets sector.

XLM breaks out after consolidation

Stellar’s native token capitalized on the broad-based bull rally to overcome a key resistance at $0.47.

The move has grabbed analysts’ attention, with one expecting continued XLM surges to the obstacle at $0.681.

Policy tailwinds, price charts, and Bitcoin’s outlook support XLM’s 30% potential upswing in the near term.

Can XLM surge 30%

Javon Marks’ Stellar chart resembles Rose Signals, both pointing to extended surges.

Their chart shows the current breakout materialized after multiple higher lows on XLM’s weekly chart.

That indicates increased accumulation, which is crucial for stable uptrends.

The chart suggests possible surges to $0.6719.

A Crypto Chart

All eyes are watching D.C.

Cryptocurrencies appear poised for continued rallies with massive legislative developments in the United States.

The momentum will spike further if the House passes any or all bills this week.

For instance, passing the crypto structure or stablecoins frameworks might see investors rotating more capital into crypto.

That would mean massive gains for Bitcoin and altcoins, including XLM.

However, digital assets are never without risks. Sudden Bitcoin corrections or bills’ rejection could mean substantial selling pressure.

Losing the $0.47 barrier will delay XLM’s potential rally.

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Bitcoin hits another all-time high at $123,000, beats Amazon to become the 5th largest asset by market cap

  • According to data from companiesmarketcap.com, Bitcoin’s current market capitalisation stands at $2.407 trillion.
  • Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of $123,091.61 on Monday, as per CoinMarketCap data.
  • Just last week, the BTC ETFs saw two days with over $1 billion in inflows.

Bitcoin surged past the $120,000 mark for the first time earlier on Monday, driven by sustained institutional demand, strong exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows, and renewed optimism surrounding upcoming US crypto legislation.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency was last seen at $122,559, up 3.23% at the time of writing.

Earlier, it reached a new all-time high of $123,091.61, as per CoinMarketCap data.

Over the past five days, Bitcoin has gained approximately 12%, extending its rally to a 103% increase compared to the same time last year.

According to data from companiesmarketcap.com, Bitcoin’s current market capitalisation stands at $2.407 trillion, making it the fifth-largest asset globally, ahead of Amazon, Silver, and Google.

Only Gold, NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Apple command higher market values.

ETF flows signal institutional conviction

Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States have pulled in $16.2 billion in cumulative inflows since April, according to data from SoSoValue.

The rise in ETF demand comes amid a broader shift among asset managers and hedge funds seeking exposure to Bitcoin as part of a diversified macro allocation.

Just last week, the BTC ETFs saw two days with over $1 billion in inflows.

On Thursday, US spot BTC ETFs registered $1.18 billion inflows, which were followed by a $1.02 billion inflow on Friday.

Crypto Week in Washington fuels optimism

This week marks the beginning of the  “Crypto Week” in Washington, D.C., where lawmakers are expected to debate and possibly advance two key pieces of legislation: the CLARITY Act and the GENIUS Act.

The CLARITY Act aims to establish a formal regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, clarifying jurisdiction between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)—a longstanding demand of the crypto sector.

The GENIUS Act, meanwhile, proposes a legal foundation for US dollar-pegged stablecoins, potentially paving the way for a clearer regulatory pathway for firms issuing or working with such digital assets.

Public companies continue BTC Accumulation

Market confidence is also reflected in corporate treasury activity.

According to available public disclosures, more than 125 publicly listed firms now collectively hold 847,000 BTC, which accounts for approximately 4.03% of Bitcoin’s capped 21 million supply.

Among these firms are high-profile names such as Strategy, Tesla, and several Bitcoin mining companies that retain coins on their balance sheets.

Analysts suggest these holdings add a layer of long-term price support, as most corporate buyers are unlikely to sell into short-term rallies.

Is above $130,000 next for BTC?

In a note last week, 10X Research said the latest breakout was driven by a clear shift in market structure toward a bullish trend.

While the firm had earlier anticipated a broader summer consolidation, its outlook turned more optimistic in recent weeks due to limited upside positioning, creating conditions for a sharp move higher.

The firm noted that a fresh trading signal was triggered when Bitcoin posted a new short-term high, indicating the rally may continue.

Historically, similar signals have delivered a median gain of 20%, with six out of ten instances resulting in positive returns.

If the pattern holds, 10X Research said Bitcoin could climb to $133,000 by September.

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