This article was first published on Deythere.
Near Protocol’s token moved on February 27, 2026, breaking a range and tagging clustered orders above it before pulling back. That pattern is often called a NEAR liquidity sweep, and it matters because it shows where positioning was crowded and where reactions may concentrate next.
The range break behind the NEAR liquidity sweep
NEAR had been boxed between $0.946 and $1.095, with repeated rejections that trained the market to sell the top. The shift came when buying pushed through structure around $1.028 and price reached about $1.26. The move picked up roughly $11.253 million in liquidity at that high, a sign that stops and pending orders were sitting there waiting to be triggered.
Retest logic and the $1.30 to $1.35 zone
After a sweep, price often returns to test the breakout as the key marker is the former ceiling near $1.095. Holding above it can pull price toward liquidity between $1.30 and $1.35. Falling back below it can turn the move into a failed breakout and drag price toward the prior consolidation. The NEAR liquidity sweep is therefore a checkpoint: acceptance above old resistance is what gives targets credibility, and the NEAR liquidity sweep matters.

Why AI and privacy headlines amplified the move
The report tied the surge in attention to messaging around “User-Owned AI” and a privacy layer described as “Confidential Intents,” positioned as a way to enable private cross-chain actions while reducing risks such as frontrunning and position exposure. Illia Polosukhin said, “For AI agents to operate autonomously in real markets, they need universal execution, hardware-enforced security.”
That week also brought a broader AI catalyst from traditional markets. Nvidia reported quarterly revenue of $68.1 billion and CEO Jensen Huang said, “Computing demand is growing exponentially … the agentic AI inflection point has arrived.”
Activity signals: strong volume, softer participation
Near Intents volume was cited at $442.1 million over the past week and $88.628 million in the last 24 hours, alongside higher fees. Yet the same snapshot flagged declines in monthly and daily active users. When participation cools while price runs, a NEAR liquidity sweep can attract momentum traders, but usage is what often decides whether the trend holds.
Sentiment also flashed hot in that window, with the report citing a 100% upside reading as the token trended on social channels. ) That heat can be useful, but it can also be noisy, so traders pair it with structure. If bids keep stepping in consistently on dips, the NEAR liquidity sweep can turn into a higher base instead of a one-day spike.
Conclusion
NEAR’s rally blends mechanics and mood. Mechanics delivered the breakout, the run to $1.26, and a NEAR liquidity sweep that exposed where orders were stacked. Mood came from AI and privacy talk that lifted social interest. The next chapter is simpler: hold above $1.095 and the market can lean into $1.30 to $1.35, lose it, and price risks sliding back into the old range.
FAQs
What is a NEAR liquidity sweep?
It is a fast move into a level packed with stops and resting orders, usually around a range high or low, which can accelerate price before a retest.
Why is the $1.30 to $1.35 area watched?
It was identified as the next liquidity pocket if the breakout retest holds.
What confirms the breakout after the NEAR liquidity sweep?
Sustained trading above the former resistance near $1.095.
Glossary of Key Terms
Break of Structure: A break above or below a prior swing level that can signal a shift in control.
Liquidity: Concentrated orders at specific prices that can be triggered during volatility.
Intents: A system where users specify an outcome and execution can route across chains to achieve it.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Crypto assets are volatile, and readers should do their own research.
Sources
