Close to Protocol’s native token, NEAR, has the potential to develop 20x by 2027, based on Arthur Hayes, co-founder of the crypto derivatives trade BitMEX.
Key takeaways:
- Hayes mentioned NEAR Intents might make privateness cash like Zcash extra usable throughout blockchains with out bridges or a number of wallets.
- NEAR has surged greater than 90% since Hayes publicly highlighted the token alongside ZEC and HYPE in Might.
NEAR makes privateness cash like ZEC usable: Hayes
Talking on The Rollup podcast, Hayes mentioned NEAR’s bullish case rests on NEAR Intents, a characteristic that lets AI brokers transfer property privately throughout blockchains with out coping with bridges, a number of wallets or fragmented liquidity.
The identical infrastructure additionally helps NEAR’s broader AI-agent thesis, the place autonomous apps can execute funds and trades on-chain.
Hayes linked NEAR’s upside to Zcash (ZEC), the privacy-focused cryptocurrency that has rallied greater than 1,000% over the previous yr and revived investor curiosity in non-public cash.
ZEC/USD every day chart. Supply: TradingView
He mentioned Close to Protocol might change into the subsequent main beneficiary of that development as a result of it helps make non-public tokens like ZEC usable past a single blockchain, permitting customers to maneuver worth throughout the broader crypto economic system.
“I can now ship any crypto asset I wish to anybody throughout the web in an nameless means from shielded Zcash utilizing Close to Intents,” Hayes mentioned, including:
“I believe NEAR has a 20x potential, the place you recognize Zcash may need a 5x potential over the subsequent yr.”
Hayes’ NEAR calls echo his Zcash rally playbook
Hayes’ remarks add to a string of bullish NEAR endorsements from Hayes.
In a Might 11 essay, Hayes explicitly positioned NEAR as one in all his prime speculative bets alongside ZEC and Hyperliquid’s native token, HYPE.
He strengthened that view in a Might 22 put up earlier this week, calling HYPE, ZEC and NEAR “the holy trinity.”
NEAR’s value has grown by over 90% since Hayes started publicly highlighting the token, as proven under.
NEAR/USD four-hour chart. Supply: TradingView
Hayes’ endorsements have traditionally attracted vital consideration from merchants, as evidenced by his 2025 Zcash posts.
Associated: Zcash is ‘operating its personal bull market’ as ZEC value paints 88% rally setup
In October 2025, Hayes’ bullish commentary, together with “ZEC to $10k” and naming it a core holding, acted as a significant upside catalyst. ZEC delivered over 350% positive aspects within the following weeks.
ZEC/USD every day chart. Supply: TradingView
NEAR fractal hints at 35% rally subsequent
NEAR’s present breakout is beginning to resemble its 2023–2024 restoration setup, when it bounced from the $0.91–$0.99 vary earlier than rallying by about 250%.
As an illustration, in 2026, NEAR has rebounded from the identical $0.91–$0.99 bounce zone, whereas its every day relative energy index (RSI) has surged to round 88, displaying aggressive shopping for stress.
The token has additionally fashioned a golden cross, a bullish sign the place the shorter-term transferring common rises above the longer-term one.
In NEAR’s case, the 50-day exponential transferring common (50-day EMA, the purple line) at round $1.646 has been transferring above the 200-day EMA (the blue line) at round $1.647.
Merchants usually view this as an early signal {that a} downtrend could also be turning right into a sustained uptrend.
The primary main upside goal sits close to $3.38–$4.00, a former assist zone which will now act as resistance. The $4 goal sits roughly 35% above present costs and will change into NEAR’s subsequent check if the breakout holds.
A decisive transfer above $4.00 would strengthen the 2023–2024 fractal and open the door to a 250% rally towards the $9–$10 space in 2026.
Conversely, failure to reclaim the $3.38–$4.00 zone could result in a pointy bearish reversal towards the 50- and 200-day EMAs. That might quantity to roughly 45% draw back from present ranges.
