Luisa Crawford
Feb 21, 2026 05:43
NEAR Protocol shows bullish momentum at $1.07 with 5.41% daily gains. Technical analysis points to $1.12 resistance test with potential March targets of $1.20-$1.25 if breakout confirmed.
NEAR Price Prediction Summary
• Short-term target (1 week): $1.12
• Medium-term forecast (1 month): $1.15-$1.25 range
• Bullish breakout level: $1.18
• Critical support: $0.98
What Crypto Analysts Are Saying About NEAR Protocol
While specific analyst predictions are limited for the current period, historical analysis from January 2026 provides some context. Peter Zhang previously identified oversold conditions around $1.50 levels with recovery potential, while Jessie A Ellis noted technical targets in the $1.76 range during neutral RSI conditions.
According to on-chain data patterns, NEAR Protocol’s current positioning above its 7-day and 20-day moving averages suggests renewed buying interest after recent consolidation phases. The 5.41% daily gain indicates institutional accumulation may be occurring at these lower price levels.
NEAR Technical Analysis Breakdown
NEAR Protocol’s technical picture presents a mixed but increasingly bullish setup. The RSI reading of 41.80 sits in neutral territory, providing room for upward movement without entering overbought conditions. This positioning historically precedes sustained rallies in NEAR’s price action.
The MACD configuration shows a histogram reading of 0.0000, indicating bearish momentum is potentially exhausting. While the overall MACD remains negative at -0.0883, the flattening histogram suggests a potential momentum shift could be imminent.
Bollinger Band analysis reveals NEAR trading at 0.57 of the band width, positioned above the middle band ($1.05) but below the upper band ($1.18). This positioning indicates moderate bullish pressure with room for expansion toward the upper band resistance.
Key support levels emerge at $1.03 (immediate) and $0.98 (strong support), while resistance appears at $1.10 (immediate) and $1.12 (strong resistance). The current price of $1.07 sits favorably above the pivot point at $1.05.
NEAR Protocol Price Targets: Bull vs Bear Case
Bullish Scenario
The bullish case for NEAR price prediction centers on breaking the $1.12 resistance level. A decisive break above this level could trigger momentum toward the Bollinger Band upper limit at $1.18, representing a 10% upside from current levels.
Extended bullish targets align with the 50-day moving average at $1.38, though this represents a longer-term objective requiring sustained buying pressure. The stochastic readings (%K at 82.14) suggest near-term overbought conditions may require consolidation before higher moves.
Technical confirmation would require daily closes above $1.12 with accompanying volume expansion beyond the current 24-hour volume of $15.17 million.
Bearish Scenario
The bearish scenario for NEAR Protocol forecast involves a failure to hold the $1.03 immediate support level. Such a breakdown could accelerate selling toward the strong support zone at $0.98, representing an 8% downside risk.
Further deterioration below $0.98 could expose the Bollinger Band lower boundary at $0.93, coinciding with a test of the 200-day moving average zone. The negative MACD reading of -0.0883 provides technical justification for continued selling pressure if support levels fail.
Risk factors include broader cryptocurrency market weakness and potential profit-taking from recent gains above the 20-day moving average.
Should You Buy NEAR? Entry Strategy
For NEAR price prediction positioning, conservative buyers should consider entries on pullbacks toward the $1.05 pivot point or $1.03 immediate support. Aggressive traders might consider current levels with tight risk management given the recent 5.41% daily gain.
Stop-loss placement should consider the $0.98 strong support level for medium-term positions, while short-term traders might utilize the $1.03 immediate support for tighter risk control. The daily ATR of $0.06 suggests position sizing should account for this volatility range.
Entry confirmation signals include RSI readings above 45 combined with MACD histogram turning positive. Volume expansion above the current $15.17 million daily average would provide additional confirmation of sustained buying interest.
Conclusion
The NEAR Protocol forecast presents a cautiously bullish outlook with immediate resistance testing likely at $1.12. Technical indicators suggest exhausting bearish momentum while maintaining neutral positioning that favors upside exploration.
The probability of reaching the $1.12 target within one week stands at approximately 60%, contingent on broader market stability and volume confirmation. Monthly targets of $1.15-$1.25 appear achievable if the $1.18 Bollinger Band resistance yields to buying pressure.
This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risks, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Always conduct your own research and consider your risk tolerance before making investment decisions.
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