What is NEAR Protocol (NEAR)?

NEAR Protocol was made for simple Web3 apps, giving users and developers fast transactions and cheap fees with Nightshade sharding. The NEAR coin secures the network, pays fees, and lets users vote on changes. In 2025, it hosts over 900 dApps, including Sweat Economy, with 31M+ user accounts.

How does NEAR Protocol differ from other blockchains?

Unlike Bitcoin, made to hold value, or Ethereum, built for smart contracts, NEAR creates easy apps with fast sharding. Its Proof-of-Stake system, Thresholded PoS, handles 1,000 transactions per second, beating Ethereum’s 15–30. In 2025, NEAR’s JavaScript tools and third-party fee payments simplify work for developers and users compared to Solana. Its green design stands out from power-hungry Bitcoin.

What is the purpose of the NEAR coin?

The NEAR coin secures the network by letting users stake tokens to validate transactions, earning 7–9% yearly rewards. It covers transaction fees and allows voting on network upgrades, giving users a say in NEAR’s future. In 2025, NEAR’s 1.13B circulating supply supports a $4.49B–$5.25B market cap, ranking #34–40. Developers also earn a share of fees from their smart contracts, boosting coin utility.

How secure is the NEAR Protocol network?

NEAR uses Thresholded Proof-of-Stake, requiring two-thirds of staked tokens to attack, making hacks difficult. Its Nightshade sharding splits the blockchain into smaller parts, each with validators, enhancing security and speed. No major breaches have been reported since 2020, and a 2025 audit scores NEAR 88% for safety, ranking it in the top 10% of crypto projects. Users must protect private codes to avoid wallet theft, as NEAR’s open system doesn’t control personal security.

What are some real-world uses of NEAR?

NEAR supports dApps in gaming, DeFi, and fitness, like Hash Rush (a strategy game) and Sweat Economy (earning crypto for walking). Its Aurora layer extends Ethereum apps with lower fees, hosting platforms like Trisolaris. In 2025, NEAR’s 900K monthly active wallets and partnerships with SailGP and Binance show growing adoption. The platform’s tools help developers build user-friendly Web3 apps, from NFT markets to social platforms.

How can a person earn NEAR coins?

To earn NEAR coins it is done through the staking process, where users NEAR tokens on the NEAR Protocol network through platforms like Bitget or NEAR Wallet. By locking up tokens to help secure the network, they receive rewards in NEAR, typically 7–9% yearly, paid regularly. This method offers a low-risk way to gain income without losing the initial tokens. In 2025, validators and delegators also earn by supporting transactions, boosting their NEAR holdings.

Is NEAR Protocol an AI-focused cryptocurrency?

NEAR Protocol is a blockchain for fast, easy-to-use apps, not mainly an AI crypto. It supports some AI features, like smart contracts, but focuses on quick transactions and linking blockchains with Nightshade sharding. In 2025, NEAR powers over 900 dApps, some integrating AI, but its core strength lies in Web3 gaming and DeFi. The NEAR coin secures the network and supports these broader uses, not just AI.

What is Nightshade sharding in NEAR?

Nightshade sharding splits NEAR’s blockchain into smaller pieces, each handling its own transactions, to boost speed and scalability. Unlike other sharding systems, all pieces act as one blockchain, with validators updating snapshots for security. In 2025, Phase 2 Nightshade supports 1,000 TPS, making NEAR faster than Ethereum or Polygon. This setup lets simple cloud devices run nodes, keeping the network open to more users.

How does NEAR support developers?

NEAR offers a JavaScript SDK, letting developers build dApps with a popular coding language, unlike Ethereum’s Solidity focus. Its meta-transactions allow apps to cover user fees, improving accessibility. In 2025, over 900 dApps use NEAR’s tools, like the Cosmos SDK, for gaming and DeFi. The platform’s low fees ($0.01–$0.05) and fast confirmations (1–2 seconds) make it a favorite for Web3 creators.

What are the risks of using NEAR?

NEAR’s price volatility, down 78% from its 2022 peak, poses risks, with some forecasts as low as $2 by late 2025. Competition from scalable chains like Solana or Aptos could slow growth, as they also target dApps. Regulatory uncertainty in stricter markets may affect adoption. Users must secure private codes, as wallet hacks are possible, and X posts in 2025 show mixed sentiment, with some doubting NEAR’s edge.

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