Bittensor, NEAR, and ICP: The AI Token Leaders

As of July 2025, the AI and big data crypto market cap has surged to nearly $33.64 billion, reflecting a 6.61% intraday increase. This category is reshaping the cryptocurrency landscape.

This impressive growth is largely attributed to AI tokens, with projects like Bittensor, NEAR Protocol, and Internet Computer capturing the attention of investors, as evidenced by their recent price surges. 

Below, we delve into these three cryptocurrencies, examining their technical trends and forward forecasts.

Bittensor (TAO)

Bittensor stands out as a decentralized machine-learning network where developers can earn TAO tokens by contributing valuable AI models. Currently, its market cap hovers around $4.1 billion. 

Recently, Bittensor price has surged past key EMA’s, supported by a bullish MACD and AO, alongside rising trading volume. The CMF is also expanding upwards, currently at 0.27, a significant recovery from a 30-day low of -0.23. 

Interestingly, the RSI is in overbought territory, indicating potential for further upward movement. If momentum continues, analysts suggest that TAO price could reach the $500 mark this July and possibly hit $1,000 by year-end. 

On July 16, the price shot past $440, representing a 9% increase in a single day, with a remarkable 17% rise this week and a 45% increase over the past 30 days.

NEAR Protocol (NEAR)

NEAR Protocol has also made headlines, gaining more than 8% in just 24 hours and over 45% in the past 30 days after finding support at the $1.90 level. 

Currently trading around $2.68, NEAR price boasts a market cap of $3.32 billion. Technically, NEAR is pushing against its upper Bollinger Band, exhibiting bullish crossovers in the MACD with a rising histogram at 0.058. The AO histogram is currently at 0.334, indicating increasing bullish momentum throughout July.

Moreover, the CMF recently spiked to 0.25 from 0.04 this week, recovering from a previous low of -0.20 over the past 30 days, which clearly indicates rising money inflows into NEAR. 

The RSI stands at 66.95, suggesting that the strength has not faded and there is still room for another push. Analysts forecast that NEAR could potentially reach $3.50 before the RSI turns overheated. 

As more AI-enhanced decentralized applications (dApps) launch, a target of $4 or more by year-end seems increasingly likely.

Internet Computer (ICP)

Internet Computer (ICP) is gaining traction as it enables full-stack AI deployment directly on-chain, enhancing its relevance in the current market. 

In the last 24 hours, ICP crypto price grew by more than 6%, currently trading at $5.56, with a market cap of approximately $2.97 billion. 

Technical charts reveal a pattern of higher lows and consistent green buy bars over the past 30 days, originating from a key multi-month support level at $4.50. 

The overall structure indicates that ICP has long remained within Bollinger Bands, and a breakout from the upper band could signal stronger momentum ahead. 

If on-chain AI deployments accelerate in the second half of the year, ICP stands to benefit significantly, with projections suggesting a potential rise to $6.78 in July and a target of $15 by year-end.

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