NEAR Protocol Soars 156% in Three Months: Is It Too Late to Buy, or Is Solana a Safer Choice?

As of September 30, 2026, NEAR Protocol (CRYPTO:NEAR) enjoyed an impressive 156% increase over the previous three months, making it the standout performer among major cryptocurrencies. Most of this growth happened in September, leading potential buyers to ask whether it’s too late to invest in NEAR or whether Solana (CRYPTO:SOL) is a more stable option.

Currently, NEAR is trading around $5.11, which is about 6% lower than its September 30 price of $5.45. In comparison, Solana is priced near $118 after a more gradual 48% rise over the same 90-day period.

NEAR’s Privacy Trading Launch Drove Most of Its 156% Run

NEAR’s value rose mainly because it launched its private trading feature on September 17. This allows users to trade perpetual futures without connecting their wallets to their trading positions. After the launch, NEAR’s price jumped 27% in a single day to about $4.43, and trading volume more than doubled.

Additionally, the launch included a small token airdrop, distributing 333,333 NEAR tokens—worth about $1.7 million—after deposits in the private trading system exceeded $70 million. However, given NEAR’s market capitalization of about $6.7 billion, this airdrop is too small to significantly influence selling pressure; the trading launch is primarily responsible for the price surge.

Notably, NEAR has also increased about 209% in 2026 and approximately 77% over the past year, contrasting sharply with most larger cryptocurrencies, which remain down over similar timeframes.

NEAR Has Already Slipped 6% From Its September 30 Price

Despite its impressive performance, NEAR has started to pull back. The token has already dropped about 6% since September 30 as some investors took profits following the dramatic 143% increase within a month.

NEAR remains roughly 75% below its all-time high of $20.44, reached in January 2022. This means early holders could sell during rallies to minimize their losses. Furthermore, with NEAR’s market capitalization at about one-tenth of Solana’s, a wave of selling could lead to even larger price declines.

Solana Has Climbed More Slowly but Draws Steady ETF Money

Solana’s ascent has been more measured, with a 48% increase over the last 90 days. In contrast, it’s down about 4% for 2026 and 43% over the past year, currently trading around 60% below its peak price of $293 from January 2025.

One advantage of Solana is its consistent investor backing. U.S. Solana ETFs have seen inflows for over 12 consecutive weeks, including a record intake of $188 million in the week ending September 25. Unlike NEAR, which currently does not have a U.S. spot ETF, Solana attracts a more stable base of buyers.

That said, inflows can fluctuate; for instance, Solana ETF inflows fell 96% early in September before picking up again, showing that steady demand isn’t guaranteed.

Is It Too Late to Buy NEAR, or Is Solana the Safer Buy?

For those considering an investment, chasing after NEAR after a massive 143% monthly surge may feel risky. On the other hand, Solana seems to be the safer choice for new investors. NEAR’s rapid climb relies heavily on a single launch and swift buying, whereas Solana benefits from weeks of steady ETF demand, contributing to its more gradual rise.

Ultimately, is it too late to invest in NEAR? For now, it may be wise to keep NEAR on your watchlist rather than rush to buy. If NEAR can hold its value above $5—just 2% below its current price—throughout October and if activity grows in its private trading platform, there could be more upside ahead. Conversely, if Solana ETFs experience a week of withdrawals, the argument for Solana being the safer option may weaken.

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