NEAR Protocol's Surge: What's Driving It?

Alright, let's cut the crap. Another day, another crypto project riding the AI wave. Near Protocol, huh? Suddenly it's surging, and everyone's screaming "AI!" But give me a break. Are we really this gullible?

The "AI" Smokescreen

So, Near Protocol is up nearly 40% because… AI? That's the story they're selling, anyway. They want you to think their "robust infrastructure" is the reason to throw your money at the NEAR token. Fine, whatever. [One source](https://example.com) mentions that the Near Protocol developer team has emphasized the blockchain's robust infrastructure as the main reason investors should put their capital to work with the NEAR token.

But here's the thing: isn't every crypto project claiming to be AI-powered these days? It's the new buzzword, the shiny object to distract you from the fact that most of these things are just glorified Ponzi schemes.

Then again, maybe I'm being too harsh. Maybe Near Protocol really is different. But color me skeptical.

The Intent Layer Twist

Okay, so here's where it gets interesting. Turns out, the real story might not be AI at all. It's this "Intent layer" thing – a transaction layer that lets people do on-chain swaps. And apparently, trading volume on this layer is going through the roof. We're talking nearly $4 billion.

That's a lot of zeroes.

Now, that might actually explain the price jump. Maybe, just maybe, there's something real happening here. Maybe people are actually using this thing for something other than speculation.

But then again, what are they really using it for? [Another source](https://example.com) notes that Bitcoin and Zcash were the most actively traded assets, except for stablecoins. Is this some kind of elaborate money laundering scheme? I'm just asking questions here.

And NEAR is up 10% at press time on Friday, underpinned by the rising trading volume on its Intent layer, which is approaching $4 billion. Is this just another day of crypto shenanigans? I think so.

The Future? Who Freaking Knows

So, what's next for Near Protocol? Will it keep climbing? Will the Intent layer keep booming? Or will it all come crashing down like every other crypto fad?

Honestly, I have no clue. And anyone who tells you they do is probably trying to sell you something.

But let's say, hypothetically, that the Intent layer thing is legit. Let's say it actually solves a real problem and people keep using it. Then, maybe, Near Protocol has a future.

But even then, there's no guarantee. The crypto market is a fickle beast. One minute you're on top of the world, the next you're yesterday's news. Just look at Filecoin, Internet Computer, Artificial Superintelligence Alliance, Zcash, and NEAR Protocol crypto are bucking that trend. What is the deal with these?

And don't even get me started on "price predictions." Some "expert" says NEAR could hit $5 by the end of 2025. Another says it could reach $20 by 2029. Seriously? You can't predict the weather next week, let alone the price of a volatile crypto token years from now. It's all just guesswork, dressed up in fancy charts and graphs.

So, What's the Real Story?

Look, I ain't buying the AI hype. The Intent layer thing is interesting, sure. But let's be real, this is crypto. It's all speculation, all the time. And until I see some real-world use cases that aren't just about making a quick buck, I'm staying on the sidelines.