Date: Mon, Jan 05, 2026 | 07:04 AM GMT
As 2026 kicks off, the broader cryptocurrency market is showing renewed stability. Ethereum (ETH) is up around 4% on the week, and improving sentiment is gradually spreading across major altcoins — including the AI-focused blockchain token Near Protocol (NEAR).
NEAR has already gained more than 10% on a weekly basis, but the more important development is unfolding beneath the surface. Recent price action points to a notable structural shift — one that could mark the early stages of a bullish continuation if key resistance levels are reclaimed.
Rounding Bottom in Play
On the daily timeframe, NEAR appears to be forming a rounding bottom pattern, a classic bullish reversal structure that typically emerges after a prolonged corrective phase. This pattern reflects a gradual transition from distribution to accumulation, as selling pressure fades and buyers slowly regain control.
The setup began after NEAR faced a firm rejection near the $1.88 region late last month. That rejection triggered a sharp decline, dragging price down toward the $1.40 area. Importantly, sellers failed to push price meaningfully lower from there, and strong demand emerged at those levels. Over time, NEAR stabilized, volatility compressed, and price began to curl higher — completing the rounded base structure.
After reclaiming the 50-day moving average near $1.726, NEAR has shown improving momentum. Currently, price is trading around the $1.75 level and pressing up against a well-defined resistance zone between $1.82 and $1.88. This area represents the neckline of the rounding bottom pattern and has capped upside attempts multiple times in the past, making it the most critical level to watch in the near term.
What’s Next for NEAR?
If NEAR continues to hold the 50-day moving average as support, a clean daily close above the $1.82–$1.88 resistance zone would confirm the bullish rounding bottom breakout. A successful breakout followed by a retest of this zone as support would significantly strengthen the bullish case and signal that a new upward leg is underway.
Based on the depth of the rounding structure, the projected upside target points toward the $2.36 region. Reaching that level would imply a potential upside of roughly 35% from current prices, aligning well with the measured move typically associated with this pattern.
That said, patience remains important. Before any confirmed breakout, NEAR could still experience short-term pullbacks — including a dip toward the rising base of the rounding structure, which has been acting as dynamic support during the recovery. Such pullbacks would not invalidate the bullish setup as long as price continues to hold above the higher-low structure.
Until a decisive breakout and follow-through occur, traders may want to remain cautious and avoid chasing price. The $1.82–$1.88 zone remains the line in the sand that will determine whether NEAR transitions into a sustained bullish phase or remains range-bound for longer.
Disclaimer: The views and analysis presented in this article are for informational purposes only and reflect the author’s perspective, not financial advice. Technical patterns and indicators discussed are subject to market volatility and may or may not yield the anticipated results. Investors are advised to exercise caution, conduct independent research, and make decisions aligned with their individual risk tolerance.
About Author: Nilesh Hembade is the Founder and Lead Author of Coinsprobe, with over 5 years of experience in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. Since launching Coinsprobe in 2023, he has been providing daily, research-driven insights through in-depth market analysis, on-chain data, and technical research.
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