Near Protocol ETF Update: Bitwise Launch, Key Metrics and Price Today Near Protocol has climbed to its strongest level since December 2024. The token touched $5.55 in the last 24 hours and no
Near Protocol has climbed to its strongest level since December 2024. The token touched $5.55 in the last 24 hours and now trades near $5.24, based on CoinMarketCap data. The rally follows NYSE Arca approval of the Bitwise NEAR ETF on September 24. It is the first US spot fund tied to the token.
The gains stand out for an asset that spent much of 2025 and 2026 in a quiet range. The chart shows the last major peak came in December 2024, when the token traded at $7.43. Buyers have been scarce since then. This week changed that.
Source: CoinMarketCap Official
Last 24-hour high: $5.55 (highest after Dec 2024)
Current price: about $5.24, up 3.4%
24–hours market cap: $6.86 billion with $1.57 billion trading volume
Weekly gain: roughly 48%
Futures open interest: record near $1.5B
NEAR All-time high: $20.42 (Jan 2022)
The token has slipped from its high, which is normal after a sharp run. Traders often lock in profit at a fresh peak. Even so, the NEAR price up trend has held while the BTC price has shown less energy.
That gap points to news-driven demand rather than a broad market lift.
The Bitwise NEAR ETF is set to become the first US spot fund tied to NEAR Protocol. NYSE Arca approved the listing on September 24, 2026, and SEC registration took effect the same day, according to SEC EDGR. Trading could begin as early as September 29 under the ticker NRR. It is the biggest NEAR Protocol news of the month.
Key Metrics as per official doc:
Management fee: 0.75% a year, paid in NEAR
Staking share:about 67% of rewards stay with the trust
Staking expenses:the other 33%
Custody:Coinbase Custody, with BNY Mellon handling cash and administration
Basket size:10,000 shares, in cash or in kind
Seed basket:$500,000, or 20,000 shares at $25
Standard Bitcoin and Ether funds do not earn yield. This one aims to. TheSEC notes that it has neither approved nor rejected the shares themselves.
This Near Protocol ETF launch also opens a regulated route through normal brokerage accounts. Until now, US buyers relied mostly on OTC products.
Several forces sit behind the surge, and ETF access is the main one. Cash creations require the fund to buy NEAR on the open market. That adds direct demand. Staked tokens also face unbonding periods, so less supply can reach exchanges quickly.
Network growth adds weight. NEAR Intents, a cross-chain tool, has passed $30B in volume. Near Protocol also sits at the center of the crypto AI token theme, where investors are chasing agent-based projects. That story has lifted many names in the group and fuels much of NEAR crypto news today.
Bitwise has published 2030 scenarios for the token. The base case is $155, and the bull case is $562. The report also includes a much lower bear case. These are projections, not promises.
Demand already exists abroad. Bitwise'sEuropean staking ETP, live since July 2025, holds about $132 million. Total NEAR fund assets topped $150 million before the US debut.
Risks are real. Crypto prices swing fast, rules can change, and staking carries operational risk. A 48% weekly run can also reverse quickly. This article is for information only and is not financial advice.
The first days of NRR trading will set the tone. Steady inflows would show that US demand for Near Protocol is genuine. Thin flows would suggest much of the rally was already priced in.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Crypto markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions.
