NEAR Protocol Plunges 5% as Resistance Holds, Bitwise ETP Launches

AI-focused NEAR token slumped by 5% on Friday despite the launch of Bitwise’s NEAR exchange-traded product (ETP).

The sell-off comes during a muted day for cryptocurrencies with bitcoin also falling back from its test of a new record high.

The launch of Bitwise’s NEAR Staking ETP marks a significant milestone for institutional adoption of the protocol, allowing regulated investors to gain exposure to NEAR’s staking rewards through a traditional investment vehicle.

Technical analysis

• NEAR has experienced a substantial decline of $0.124 (5.42%) over the 24-hour period from 3 July 15:00 to 4 July 14:00, with price dropping from $2.294 to $2.170.
• The asset established a clear resistance zone around $2.290-$2.298 with multiple rejections, while breaking below key support at $2.220 on heavy volume (2.7M) during the 04:00 hour.
• The bearish momentum intensified with a volume spike to 2.83M at 07:00 when price reached its lowest point at $2.172, forming a potential double bottom with the 13:00 candle’s $2.167 low, suggesting possible stabilization despite the overall negative trend.
• During the last 60 minutes from 4 July 13:06 to 14:05, NEAR experienced significant volatility with a net decline of $0.018 (0.82%), dropping from $2.192 to $2.170.
• The asset established a clear resistance at $2.177 with multiple rejections, while showing notable selling pressure at 13:37-13:39 when price plummeted from $2.174 to $2.169 on heavy volume (119K).
• A brief recovery attempt occurred at 13:53 with a spike to $2.175 on substantial volume (77K), but momentum failed to sustain, with price ultimately settling into a consolidation pattern between $2.169-$2.171 in the final minutes of the period.

CD20 Index Plunges 2% as Bearish Momentum Accelerates

The CD20 index experienced significant downward pressure in the last 24 hours from 3 July 17:00 to 4 July 16:00, dropping from $1,788.41 to $1,756.06, representing a decline of $32.35 or 1.81%.

The overall trading range during this period was $45.74 (2.56%), with the peak of $1,801.60 occurring on 3 July 21:00 followed by consistent selling pressure that intensified after 13:00 on 4 July, when prices fell sharply by nearly $15 within a single hour.