Layer 1
NEAR Protocol (NEAR)
NEARData: Coinbase · updated 9/6/2026, 1:02:40 PM
What NEAR Protocol does
- Uses sharding (Nightshade) to process transactions across the network in parallel
- Offers human-readable account names instead of long hexadecimal wallet addresses
- NEAR pays gas fees and can be staked to help secure the network
- Supports smart contracts for DeFi, gaming, and other applications
Risks to know
- Competes in a crowded field of layer-1 platforms targeting similar developer use cases
- Sharding technology is still maturing and adds architectural complexity
- Ecosystem size and total value locked are smaller than more established chains
- Price tends to track broader layer-1 sector sentiment
Where to trade NEAR
Top-rated exchanges by CompareCEX Score. Check the exchange's market list for NEAR availability before depositing.
Frequently asked questions
What is NEAR's 'Nightshade' sharding?
Nightshade is NEAR's approach to sharding, which splits transaction processing across multiple parallel chains ('shards') to increase throughput, while presenting a single logical blockchain to users and developers.
What is unique about NEAR account names?
NEAR supports human-readable account names (similar to a username) instead of requiring users to use long cryptographic wallet addresses, which is intended to make the network more approachable for newcomers.
What is NEAR the token used for?
NEAR is used to pay for transaction and storage fees on the network, and can be staked with validators to help secure the chain in exchange for staking rewards.
Related coins
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