The Layer-1 revival is in full swing, and NEAR Protocol (NEAR) is reclaiming its place among the top crypto assets after a sharp 33% price surge. The rally signals renewed investor appetite for high-throughput blockchains capable of handling the next wave of Web3 and AI-driven applications. At the same time, Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) has become the focal point of crypto’s next big story, with its whitelist now live and early participation soaring.
Together, NEAR and ZKP reflect the twin forces shaping the next crypto cycle: scalable infrastructure and verifiable privacy. As the market enters its next growth phase, investors are asking which assets will lead the charge in 2025 and beyond.
NEAR’s 33% Rally: Scaling, Adoption, and Renewed Investor Confidence
After months of sideways trading, NEAR Protocol has broken out decisively, rallying more than 30% amid renewed interest in efficient, developer-friendly blockchains. This move aligns with the sector rotation into Layer-1s as investors look for networks that can combine speed, interoperability, and real-world use.
NEAR’s technical foundation remains a key differentiator. Its Nightshade sharding enables block times of roughly 600 ms and finality in about 1.2 seconds, according to CoinLaw, making it one of the fastest public blockchains. The network’s ability to process transactions in parallel allows throughput to scale dynamically as demand grows, a major advantage in the age of data-heavy dApps and AI integrations.
The Aurora EVM environment and Rainbow Bridge also bolster NEAR’s interoperability, allowing developers to deploy Ethereum-compatible contracts with lower fees and faster confirmation times.
User metrics confirm growing traction: millions of monthly active users and a consistent rise in transaction count point to healthy ecosystem expansion. The recent 33% rise, therefore, isn’t random speculation; it’s underpinned by technical strength and active network usage.
NEAR Protocol Price Prediction 2026: Scenario-Based Forecast
Based on current network fundamentals and market recovery trends, analysts outline the following NEAR price prediction scenarios through 2026:
Base Case (Steady Growth & Market Recovery):
If NEAR maintains its developer momentum and benefits from moderate bull-market conditions, prices could reach $6.50 – $9.00 by late 2026.
Bullish Case (Major Adoption & Strong Market Tailwinds):
With continued DeFi and AI-integration growth, large-scale partnerships, and expanded throughput, NEAR could target $10 – $14, putting it back among top-tier Layer-1 valuations.
Bearish / Consolidation Case:
If macro or competitive pressures slow adoption, NEAR may consolidate around $4 – $6, maintaining stability but underperforming faster-growing sectors. The most realistic mid-range estimate sits near $8.50 by 2026, contingent on execution and a broadly positive crypto environment.
Zero Knowledge Proof: Whitelist Live, Privacy Meets the Next Blockchain Megatrend
While NEAR represents proven scalability, Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) is emerging as crypto’s next frontier. The project’s whitelist is live, drawing record participation as privacy and verifiable computation take center stage.
ZKP’s model uses zero-knowledge cryptography to verify computations without exposing underlying data, essential for privacy-preserving AI, decentralized finance, and enterprise compliance. What makes this launch different is its $100 million pre-build investment, a signal that this is an infrastructure-first approach, not a marketing-first one.
Its upcoming Initial Coin Auction (ICA) will distribute tokens transparently, avoiding the insider concentration common in presales. This fairness, coupled with its privacy-compute narrative, has made ZKP one of the top crypto assets to watch for 2025. Analysts expect its technology to go viral as demand for secure data computation converges with blockchain-AI integration.
For early participants, joining the whitelist offers a chance to enter before the narrative explodes, when ZKP could define the new standard for private, verifiable blockchain networks.
NEAR + ZKP: Scalability Meets Privacy
In many ways, NEAR and ZKP illustrate the two structural pillars of the next crypto cycle. NEAR Protocol delivers speed and usability at scale; Zero Knowledge Proof provides the privacy and verifiability needed for sensitive computations.
NEAR’s sharding and EVM-compatibility make it a prime Layer-1 for decentralized apps and AI-enabled services, while ZKP’s architecture ensures that those computations remain confidential and provably accurate. Together, they outline a future where scalable infrastructure and data privacy coexist seamlessly.
Investors who diversify across both narratives, NEAR for scalability exposure, ZKP for privacy innovation, position themselves for a balanced approach to the 2025-2026 bull cycle.
Final Takeaway
The NEAR Protocol price prediction for 2026 reflects solid fundamentals and measurable ecosystem growth, with potential targets between $6.50 and $14, depending on execution and market conditions. The network’s combination of sharding scalability and EVM compatibility secures its role as one of crypto’s leading infrastructure plays.
Meanwhile, Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) is fast becoming one of the top crypto assets to watch as its whitelist fills rapidly and excitement builds around its fair-auction launch model. With over $100 million invested before its token sale, ZKP is setting a new standard for privacy-first, AI-integrated blockchain design.
For forward-looking investors, this pairing captures the essence of where the industry is headed: NEAR for throughput and usability; ZKP for privacy and proof. Both are primed to dominate their respective sectors in the coming year.
Explore Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP):
Website: zkp.com
Disclaimer: The statements, views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily represent those of Crypto Reporter. Crypto Reporter is not responsible for the trustworthiness, quality, accuracy of any materials in this article. This article is provided for educational purposes only. Crypto Reporter is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article. Do your research and invest at your own risk.