Michaël van de Poppe has once again turned attention to NEAR Protocol, highlighting a technically important moment as the asset presses against a key resistance zone.
According to his latest commentary, NEAR is starting to form the early structure of a new uptrend. Price action is compressing just below a well-defined resistance area, while the market attempts to reclaim short-term trend control.
The analyst specifically points to the importance of holding above the 21-day moving average, which often acts as a momentum filter during trend transitions.
I've been talking about $NEAR many times.
It's looking pretty interesting here, as it's facing a crucial resistance and starts to make a new uptrend.
I'd fancy holding above the 21-Day MA.
If that's the case, then I'm sure we'll break the resistance at $1.95 and start running… pic.twitter.com/qSU2rpGh9t
— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) January 10, 2026
Price Action Shows Early Stabilization
The latest TradingView chart show NEAR trading around $1.68–$1.70, following a volatile sequence of higher lows after setting its lowest valuation since October 10 and November 23. This base formation suggests selling pressure has weakened, allowing buyers to gradually step in.
On the lower timeframes, price has repeatedly tested the same horizontal zone, indicating growing acceptance at current levels. Volume spikes remain selective rather than euphoric, supporting the idea that this move is driven by positioning rather than short-term speculation.
Why the $1.95 Level Matters
Van de Poppe highlights $1.95 as the critical resistance to watch. This level aligns with a prior breakdown area and sits just above the current consolidation range. Reclaiming it would signal a structural shift, opening the door for acceleration rather than continued range trading.
If NEAR manages to hold above the 21-day MA and convert resistance into support, the technical roadmap points toward a move back into the pre-October 10 price region, with $3 identified as the next major upside reference level.
Market Structure Still in Transition
For now, NEAR remains in a decision zone. Failure to hold above short-term averages would likely keep price trapped in consolidation. However, sustained closes above resistance would confirm that the corrective phase has ended and that a new directional move is underway.
In short, NEAR is no longer in free fall. It is negotiating a pivotal technical area where trend continuation or rejection will be decided, making the coming sessions structurally important rather than noise-driven.
