During January 2026, the crypto market continues to show mixed signals, and NEAR Protocol (NEAR) briefly stood out with a fast intraday move. The Layer-1 asset climbed 5.7% to reach $1.73 before pulling back, showing how short-term strength can appear quickly but fail to hold when confidence remains limited.
At the same time, Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) is attracting growing attention for reasons unrelated to sudden price swings. Its hardware-backed crypto structure is influencing how early-stage crypto infra is being judged, especially as participants search carefully for the best crypto to buy now in a selective market.
NEAR Price Jumps 5.7%, But Buying Strength Weakens
Following the U.S. market open, NEAR saw strong early buying that pushed the price up to $1.73. Selling pressure then appeared, guiding the asset back toward the $1.68 to $1.70 zone by the end of the session.
Key session metrics highlight a divided picture:
- •Intraday gain: +5.7%, high near $1.73
- •Volume: around 47% higher than the 30-day average
- •Benchmark comparison: lagged behind the CD5 crypto index
- •Intraday range: roughly $0.11, close to 6.5% of the price
The most notable volume spike happened when about 6.41 million NEAR changed hands. This move reflected a bounce from session lows rather than sustained follow-through buying. The activity points toward short-term positioning instead of broad accumulation.
Resistance Holds Firm As NEAR Struggles Above $1.73
From a technical view, NEAR continues to trade within a defined range, facing repeated rejection near the same upper levels.
Support and resistance layout remains clear:
- •Primary support: $1.66 to $1.67, a strong reversal zone
- •Near-term support: $1.710 to $1.712, aligned with the session close
- •Breakout failure area: $1.730 to $1.736
- •Upper range ceiling: $1.74 to $1.76, tested multiple times intraday
Trading volume supports the consolidation view. Until NEAR manages a clear close above $1.74 with volume well beyond recent highs, the market continues to treat it as a range-bound asset rather than a trending one.
This price behaviour reflects a wider altcoin trend. Many assets show fast upward moves but fail to keep gains without strong execution signals. In such conditions, capital often shifts away from short-lived momentum and toward projects offering clear structure and delivery, especially when identifying the best crypto to buy now.
Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) Shifts Focus With Hardware Support
Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) is gaining steady attention due to its hardware-backed crypto approach, which differs from the software-only designs common in many early launches.
Instead of depending only on protocol statements, ZKP integrates purpose-built physical hardware to support verifiable computation. These systems process workloads and create cryptographic proofs, confirming accuracy while keeping underlying data private. Privacy and verification are built directly into how execution occurs.
By linking computation to physical devices, ZKP introduces a different trust structure. Validation is supported not just through software agreement, but also through hardware that can prove work was completed correctly. This setup is well suited for AI tasks, sensitive data handling, and verified compute needs. The network, infra, and presale auction are live now, and proof pods are shipping and delivering as planned.
Hardware-Backed Crypto Gains Importance in 2026
As the crypto space evolves, many participants are becoming cautious about projects based only on future claims. ZKP’s hardware-backed crypto design fits this shift by placing emphasis on:
- •Real infrastructure rather than only published code
- •Verified compute linked to physical systems
- •Stronger protection against easy duplication
- •Less dependence on speculative assumptions
Hardware adds cost and effort, but it also signals long-term intent. The ZKP whitelist remains live, and participation continues to grow as users prepare ahead of wider access. Interest is building because systems are active, not because of short-term price excitement. This is why ZKP is often included in discussions around the best crypto to buy now.
Final Say
The recent 5.7% move in NEAR shows how fast momentum can appear, yet also how quickly it can fade when confirmation is missing. Although NEAR displayed short-term strength, repeated resistance tests and moderate volume suggest consolidation still dominates.
ZKP’s hardware-backed crypto structure redirects attention away from charts and toward working systems and verified execution. By tying compute activity to real devices and embedding privacy at the core level, ZKP stands apart from typical early presale structures. As 2026 progresses and capital becomes more selective, this difference plays a major role for those deciding what truly fits the definition of the best crypto to buy now.
FAQs
Why did NEAR climb 5.7% before pulling back? The rise was supported by increased retail activity but lacked strong follow-through from larger participants.
Is NEAR breaking out of its established range? No. Resistance between $1.73 and $1.74 continues to hold, keeping the structure range-bound.
What does hardware-backed crypto mean for Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP)? It means using dedicated physical systems to support verified computation instead of relying only on software logic.
Why is Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) mentioned among the best cryptos to buy now? Its active infrastructure, hardware-backed crypto design, live presale auction, and focus on verified execution set it apart from many early-stage projects when evaluating the best crypto to buy now.