NEAR’s New App Claims to Make Crypto Easier-But Is It Just Another Overhyped Tech Mess?

by

Finance

What to know:

  • NEAR is launching Near.com, a new crypto wallet and consumer app that aims to make blockchain technology feel as simple as using a traditional finance app, while positioning itself at the intersection of crypto and artificial intelligence (AI). Sure, because nothing says “simple” like trusting your life savings to a bunch of code that’s probably written in a language only a robot could love.
  • The product was unveiled by NEAR co-founder Illia Polosukhin, who described it as part of a broader shift toward what he calls the “agentic era,” a future where AI systems don’t just provide answers, but take action on behalf of users. Because nothing says “trust me” like letting a machine decide your financial fate. What could go wrong?
  • At its core, Near.com is designed to remove much of the friction that has long made crypto confusing for everyday users. Instead of worrying about gas fees, private keys or switching between different blockchains, users can manage their assets in one place. Because nothing says “user-friendly” like a wallet that’s basically a glorified spreadsheet with more security than a toddler’s piggy bank.

San Francisco, CA – NEAR is launching Near.com, a new crypto wallet and consumer app that aims to make blockchain technology feel as simple as using a traditional finance app, while positioning itself at the intersection of crypto and artificial intelligence (AI). Because who doesn’t want to trade Bitcoin while also coding a sentient AI?

//cdn.sanity.io/images/s3y3vcno/production/bb6bcd5425db8bcae5ce157512ab499f424f7f4e-2048×1152.jpg”/>

But NEAR’s ambitions extend beyond building just another wallet. The company is betting that the next big wave in crypto will come from its convergence with AI. Because nothing says “next big thing” like combining two industries that are both still figuring out their own existence.

As AI agents become more capable, like booking travel, managing emails or handling online purchases, they will increasingly need the ability to transact. That’s where crypto infrastructure comes in. Blockchains can provide programmable payments, global transfers and automated settlement without relying on traditional intermediaries. Because nothing says “revolutionary” like replacing banks with code that’s basically a glorified calculator.

Polosukhin argued that as AI systems begin interacting with each other, they effectively become “economic actors,” software programs that negotiate, pay and coordinate tasks. In that world, crypto becomes the financial layer that allows these agents to operate. Because nothing says “economic freedom” like a system where your AI can’t even pay for its own coffee without a 5% fee.

Near.com is designed to serve as that layer, acting as both a user-friendly wallet for people and an economic backend for AI-driven activity. Because nothing says “user-friendly” like a wallet that’s basically a spreadsheet with a side of existential dread.

A key part of the announcement is privacy. One of blockchain’s longstanding tradeoffs is transparency: transactions are typically visible to anyone. While that openness can build trust, it can also expose sensitive financial information. Because nothing says “trust” like a system where everyone can see your business.

“Everything you do onchain is transparent,” Polosukhin said. “That’s not realistic for usual use cases, for day-to-day usage.” Sure, because who needs transparency when you’re trying to hide your financial activities?

To address this, NEAR introduced a “confidential mode” within Near.com. The feature allows balances, transfers and trading activity to remain private within the network’s security framework. The company says this makes the wallet more practical not only for individuals and businesses, but also for AI agents that may need to transact without revealing strategy or sensitive data. Because nothing says “practical” like a system that’s secretly a spy network with a fancy UI.

The launch signals a broader shift for NEAR.

“We have the stack. We have all the components. We have the product,” Polosukhin said. “Now we’re switching … to how we actually scale adoption – how we bring this to billions of people around the world.” Because nothing says “scale” like a product that’s already been tested on a few thousand users.

Read More

2026-02-24 00:17