NEAR is a Layer 1 blockchain that positions itself as AI infrastructure, an area of growing interest across technology and digital asset markets. Co-founded by Illia Polosukhin, NEAR began as an AI research initiative before evolving into a blockchain platform. It aims to enable user-controlled AI agents across digital ecosystems through decentralised coordination layers. While most of its 41.5 million monthly users currently engage with non-AI applications, the project is progressing along a clear technical roadmap. Phase 1 focuses on building a scalable Layer 1 using sharding and dynamic resharding to support high transaction volumes. Phase 2 introduces tools such as Chain Signatures and Intents to improve usability and cross-chain interaction, potentially enabling future AI agents to operate across networks. Phase 3 shifts from infrastructure development to enabling coordination for decentralised AI agents. Near Intents have recorded 969 million dollars in trading volume for the week beginning 10 November 2025. Based on the quarter-over-quarter growth rate observed in Q3, which starts from a higher base, Near Intents are projected to increase their weekly trading volume by more than tenfold to reach 10 billion dollars by June 2026. This is expected to provide a significant tailwind for the asset as it integrates with other blockchains and develops into a central hub for cross-chain messaging and value transfer. Rather than building AI models, NEAR is focused on ensuring user control over AI through a trust-based, decentralised architecture. Core components such as DCML, which provides private data vaults, MCP, which enables secure and memory-enhanced collaboration, and AITP, a suite of developer tools, are designed to make AI agents both secure and accessible. Live initiatives such as Agent Hub, NEAR AI, and already support real-world applications, including autonomous systems that manage substantial capital flows. NEAR’s infrastructure is now powering early elements of an emerging AI economy. NEAR’s token model is designed to capture value from AI-native activity, including intent-routing fees, infrastructure services, and model execution, extending beyond traditional blockspace monetisation. @cornMaxy @Andre_Dragosch @BradleyDukeBTC @HHorsley @Matt_Hougan @NEARProtocol @near_intents @ilblackdragon @alex_scharrer