NEAR Historical Price & Return Analysis: Should I Buy NEAR Now?

Abstract

This article comprehensively reviews NEAR Protocol’s historical price movements and market volatility since inception, analyzing potential returns for investors purchasing 10 NEAR tokens across bull and bear market cycles. It addresses the critical question: “Should I buy NEAR now?” to help both newcomers and long-term investors identify optimal entry points and growth opportunities.

Early Market Cycle: Historical Price Overview (2020 to 2022)

NEAR Protocol is a highly scalable base layer protocol designed to enable DApps to run quickly on mobile devices. According to available market data, NEAR’s early trading price started at approximately $100.00 in 2020.

The following details NEAR’s price performance during its early market phase:

2020

• Opening Price: $100.00
• Closing Price: $1.48
• Highest Price: $100.00
• Lowest Price: $0.631
• Annual Return: -98.52%

2021

• Opening Price: $1.73
• Closing Price: $14.39
• Highest Price: $16.24
• Lowest Price: $1.73
• Annual Return: +731.06%

An investor purchasing 10 NEAR tokens in 2020 at the opening price would have experienced a significant decline of -$984.70 by 2025, despite the strong recovery in 2021.

Bear Market Adjustment & Recovery Cycle: Risk and Return Analysis (2022 to 2024)

During this period, NEAR experienced significant price volatility, characterized by sharp corrections in 2022 followed by gradual recovery through 2023 and 2024.

Potential returns for investors purchasing 10 NEAR tokens during this cycle:

• 2022: -$119.92
• 2023: -$1.161
• 2024: -$16.85

2022

• Opening Price: $13.52
• Closing Price: $1.28
• Highest Price: $20.14
• Lowest Price: $1.28
• Annual Return: -90.57%

2023

• Opening Price: $1.65
• Closing Price: $3.65
• Highest Price: $3.80
• Lowest Price: $1.03
• Annual Return: +121.55%

2024

• Opening Price: $3.21
• Closing Price: $5.90
• Highest Price: $8.25
• Lowest Price: $2.75
• Annual Return: +83.61%

Recent Market Cycle: Should I Buy NEAR Now? (2025 to Present)

In 2025, NEAR has experienced a notable downturn, declining -69.22% year-to-date, trading between $1.51 and $4.98.

2025 (Year-to-Date)

• Opening Price: $4.97
• Current Price: $1.53
• Highest Price: $4.98
• Lowest Price: $1.51
• Year-to-Date Return: -69.22%

An investor purchasing 10 NEAR tokens at the 2025 opening price of $4.97 would currently face a potential loss of -$34.41.

Summary: Bull Markets, Bear Markets & Investment Timing Analysis

NEAR’s price history from 2020 to 2025 demonstrates extreme volatility, characterized by initial collapse (-98.52% in 2020), explosive recovery (+731.06% in 2021), severe correction (-90.57% in 2022), and subsequent gradual stabilization with mixed results in 2023-2024, followed by sharp decline in 2025. The current market conditions suggest continued caution, as the token remains significantly below its historical peaks despite its technological foundation in scalable blockchain infrastructure.