TLDR
- NEAR Protocol’s price jumped 7.59%, trading at $2.51 after hitting the “NEAR@3.33” TVL milestone
- Confidential Intents TVL surpassed $70M, growing 129.3% in 90 days
- 333,333 NEAR@3.33 tokens are being airdropped to eligible users
- NEAR@3.33 tokens unlock at a 1:1 ratio when NEAR’s VWAP holds at or above $3.33 for three consecutive days
- NEAR is now one of the first major layer-1 blockchains to be partially quantum-proof
NEAR Protocol’s token climbed 7.59% to $2.51 after its Confidential Intents pipeline crossed $70 million in total value locked (TVL). That milestone triggered a pre-planned airdrop under the “NEAR@3.33” Milestone Incentive Program.
The TVL figure grew 129.3% over the past 90 days, reaching $70.79 million. According to DeFiLlama, NEAR Intents’ overall TVL now sits at approximately $137.8 million.
The airdrop distributes 333,333 locked NEAR@3.33 tokens to eligible users. To qualify, users must have held a balance above $100 and completed at least one confidential swap. Users with higher balances and more swap activity receive larger allocations.
NEAR@3.33 tokens cannot be transferred immediately. They convert to regular NEAR tokens at a 1:1 ratio only when NEAR’s volume-weighted average price holds at or above $3.33 for three straight days. This condition is designed to discourage wash trading and short-term speculation.
Crypto analyst CryptoBullet shared a technical take on the token’s chart structure, noting that NEAR has been forming what looks like an inverse Head & Shoulders pattern since March 2025. The analyst said the accumulation below $3 could set up a potential breakout, though they expect it may take until 2027 for the full pattern to play out.
I really like what $NEAR has been printing here since March 2025
This accumulation structure below $3 reminds me of a classic inverse Head & Shoulders pattern 🧐
It will take a couple more months for the left shoulder to form.In 2027 $NEAR should break out 📈🤞 pic.twitter.com/pq9D3usVqG
— CryptoBullet (@CryptoBullet1) September 16, 2026
What Is Confidential Finance on NEAR?
Confidential Intents uses zero-knowledge proofs and selective disclosure to keep transaction details private while remaining publicly verifiable. This differs from standard DeFi, where all trades and positions are visible on-chain.
The privacy layer protects users from MEV and front-running by hiding position sizes and trading directions. Nearly 40% of recent NEAR developer activity is now focused on privacy, identity, and intent-based applications, according to data from Artemis.
At current levels, NEAR trades above the $2.44 Fibonacci support. A move higher could retest the $2.65 resistance zone. A break below $2.44 could pull the price toward $2.25, with a deeper drop possibly reaching $2.00.
Institutional Use Cases Driving Adoption
Private DEX infrastructure, confidential lending markets, and shielded yield vaults are all contributing to TVL growth. Funds, DAOs, and institutional players are showing interest, as confidential finance allows trading strategies to remain private while still meeting compliance requirements.
Confidential Intents TVL is approaching the $70M threshold that triggers the snapshot for NEAR@3.33 Drop 1.
Eligible accounts: hold a confidential balance above $100 on near.com and at execute least one confidential swap.
Full details: https://t.co/rqGz98yEdX
— NEAR Protocol (@NEARProtocol) September 11, 2026
NEAR is also one of the first major layer-1 blockchains to achieve partial quantum resistance, which may add to its appeal for institutions focused on long-term security.
The Fed’s 25 basis point interest rate hike announced today could also influence near-term price action across crypto markets.
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