• Near Protocol consolidates above $2.40 short-term support with bulls preparing for a falling wedge pattern breakout.
• Near Protocol and Aptos launch cross-chain swap, eliminating the need for bridges.
• The NEAR futures Open Interest rebounds to $265 million, as risk-on sentiment builds.

Near Protocol (NEAR), the second-largest Artificial Intelligence (AI) token, is trading above $2.40 on Thursday. The AI token faces growing headwinds amid risk-off sentiment in the broader cryptocurrency market. Still, network developments and stability in the derivatives market could increase the chances of a bullish breakout aiming for the $3.00 level.

Near Protocol and Aptos collaborate on cross-chain swaps

Near Protocol and Aptos (APT) have entered into a partnership agreement, which will see the two crypto networks collaborate on cross-chain swaps. The feature will be executed via Near Intents, an open-source cross-chain and chain-abstraction protocol powered by Near’s blockchain technology.

Near Protocol and Aptos aim to provide access to one-click cross-chain swaps between the two networks and other supported protocols, eliminating the need for traditional bridges.

The development taps Near Protocol’s Chain Signatures and Multi-Party Computation (MPC) nodes, ensuring node security and intent-based interactions. Aptos is now the 20th protocol to join Near Intents, providing users with access to leading networks like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), as well as low-cost protocols such as Solana (SOL).

Technical outlook: NEAR eyes wedge pattern breakout 

NEAR price is inching closer to a falling wedge pattern breakout on the 4-hour chart. This is a bullish pattern formed by two converging trendlines. As trading volume decreases, bears gradually lose their grip on the trend, paving the way for a bullish breakout at the end of the consolidation period.

Traders will anticipate a breakout above the upper trendline accompanied by a spike in volume. A 20% move toward the $3.00 level would change NEAR’s technical outlook. The target is determined by measuring the distance between the pattern’s widest points, extrapolating above the breakout point.

NEAR/USDT 4-hour chart

Meanwhile, sideways trading could take precedence in the short-term as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) stabilizes at 47. If the RSI rises above the midline, the path with the least resistance could shift upward, increasing the chances of the falling wedge pattern breakout.

CoinGlass data shows that NEAR’s futures Open Interest (OI) has rebounded to $265 million following a drop to $248 million on Monday. OI represents the notional value of outstanding futures contracts.

NEAR Futures Open Interest | Source: CoinGlass

If retail demand sustains the uptrend in OI, traders will increasingly bet on the NEAR price rising in the short term, indicating a growing risk-on sentiment.