NEAR Introduces Near.com Super App, Highlighting AI Features and Privacy-Focused Transactions

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The firm is wagering that the forthcoming significant advance in crypto will arise from its integration with AI.

NEAR co-founder Illia Polosukhin (Margaux Nijkerk/ CoinDesk)

What to know:

  • NEAR is introducing Near.com, a new cryptocurrency wallet and consumer application that seeks to simplify the use of blockchain technology, making it feel as straightforward as utilizing a traditional finance app, while positioning itself at the crossroads of cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence (AI).
  • The product was presented by NEAR co-founder Illia Polosukhin, who characterized it as part of a larger transition towards what he refers to as the “agentic era,” a future wherein AI systems not only provide responses but also take actions on behalf of users.
  • Near.com’s primary objective is to eliminate much of the complexity that has historically made cryptocurrency daunting for average users. Rather than being concerned with gas fees, private keys, or navigating between various blockchains, users can oversee their assets in a centralized location.

San Francisco, CA – NEAR is introducing Near.com, a new cryptocurrency wallet and consumer application that seeks to simplify the use of blockchain technology, making it feel as straightforward as utilizing a traditional finance app, while positioning itself at the crossroads of cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence (AI).

Polosukhin previously co-authored the paper that introduced the transformer model, the foundational architecture for contemporary AI systems such as ChatGPT and many other extensive language models, and has increasingly concentrated on how blockchain infrastructure can facilitate the next generation of AI-driven applications.

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“We are entering an era where AI serves as our interface to computing,” Polosukhin stated during the presentation.

NEAR token has decreased by nearly 3% in the past 24 hours.

Near.com’s primary objective is to eliminate much of the complexity that has historically made cryptocurrency daunting for average users. Rather than being concerned with gas fees, private keys, or navigating between various blockchains, users can oversee their assets in a centralized location.

“You don’t need to think about blockchains. You don’t need to think about gas, keys,” Polosukhin remarked. “You just use it as your main wallet.”

Near.com accommodates a variety of digital assets, including bitcoin, , NFTs, and other tokens. The intention is to consolidate activities that are generally dispersed across numerous wallets and networks into a single, efficient interface.

Near.com super app (Margaux Nijkerk/ CoinDesk)

However, NEAR’s aspirations go beyond merely creating another wallet. The organization is anticipating that the next significant advancement in cryptocurrency will stem from its integration with AI.

As AI agents become increasingly proficient, managing tasks such as booking travel, handling emails, or processing online purchases, they will require the capability to conduct transactions. This is where cryptocurrency infrastructure plays a vital role. Blockchains can facilitate programmable payments, global transfers, and automated settlements without depending on traditional intermediaries.

Polosukhin contended that as AI systems start to interact with one another, they effectively transform into “economic actors,” software programs that negotiate, transact, and coordinate tasks. In this context, cryptocurrency becomes the financial layer enabling these agents to function.

Near.com is intended to function as that layer, serving as both a user-friendly wallet for individuals and an economic infrastructure for AI-driven transactions.

A crucial aspect of the announcement is privacy. One of the long-standing trade-offs of blockchain technology is transparency: transactions are generally visible to everyone. While this openness can foster trust, it can also reveal sensitive financial details.

“Everything you do onchain is transparent,” Polosukhin explained. “That’s not realistic for usual use cases, for day-to-day usage.”

To mitigate this, NEAR has introduced a “confidential mode” within Near.com. This feature allows balances, transfers, and trading activities to remain private within the network’s security framework. The company asserts that this enhances the wallet’s practicality not only for individuals and businesses but also for AI agents that may require to transact without disclosing strategies or sensitive information.

The launch indicates a wider transformation for NEAR.

“We have the stack. We have all the components. We have the product,” Polosukhin stated. “Now we’re transitioning … to how we actually scale adoption — how we bring this to billions of people around the world.”

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