In this phase of crypto market uncertainty due to geopolitical tensions, we must focus on the world of tokens linked to artificial intelligence. Instead, throughout these first 100 days of 2026, they have been recording a series of positive movements, as we can also see with Render and Near Protocol, two of the most representative tokens in the AI sector.
Rally among AI cryptos with Render and NEAR Protocol
Yesterday, we analyzed Bittensor (TAO), one of the most relevant tokens in the AI crypto sector, which has recorded a 40% increase since the beginning of the year. RENDER is performing even better, standing at +46% in 2026, while NEAR marks a decline of -11%. These are significant gains for TAO and Render when compared to the performance of Bitcoin at -18.90% and Ethereum at -26.55%.
We must make a distinction: Render is a project fully linked to artificial intelligence, offering decentralized GPU computing power for 3D rendering, generative AI, and machine learning. NEAR, on the other hand, is a general-purpose blockchain that has integrated AI tools in recent years, positioning itself as AI-friendly. In short, RENDER represents a pure AI infrastructure, while NEAR is a hybrid model with progressive integration.
Render Weekly Overview Render (RENDER) is trading at 2.020 USDT and is up +6.20% on a weekly basis, marking its third consecutive green week. Since the beginning of April, it stands at +16%, following March’s positive close of +23.80%.
Render (RENDER) weekly 9 april 2026
The weekly chart provides an overview of RENDER's price, showing its trend since the peak recorded in July of last year. From that point, a contraction phase began, which included the October flash crash with a low of 0.426 USDT. The downward trend continued until the end of 2025, when it closed the year at -81%.
At the beginning of January 2026, there was a rebound phase with a maximum peak of 2.712 USDT, followed by a price contraction that found a base in the congestion area highlighted on the chart above 1.35 USDT. In March, the first attempt at a bullish reaction occurred, bringing RENDER to the resistance area at 1.92 USDT, as highlighted in the March 6th analysis: ... the most relevant resistance which passes through 1.92 USDT.
Short-term scenario for Render
Render (RENDER) daily, April 9, 2026
On the daily chart, RENDER’s next objective is an extension toward the resistance zone passing at 2.35 USDT. On the upside, it could reach the 3 USDT area, where the Simple Moving Average (SMA 50) also passes just below. Conversely, on the short side, Render has a support level at 1.635 USDT. Losing this level could trigger a new phase of price contraction.
Near Protocol Weekly Overview Near Protocol (NEAR) is currently trading at 1.344 USDT. On a weekly basis, it marks its second consecutive week of gains with a +7.60%, bringing the month of April to +13%. However, it remains in the red since the beginning of the year at -11%.
Near Protocol (NEAR) daily 9 april 2026
On the weekly chart, we have an overview of NEAR's price showing last year's trend, where the price remained in a broad congestion phase for about 6 months. A breakdown occurred in November, with a bearish acceleration that continued until February 2026, when the price touched a low of 0.84 USDT.
NEAR in contact with resistance From this point, a rebound phase was triggered, which stalled for a couple of weeks in March at the 1.375 USDT resistance, before retracing to the short-term support in the 1.20 USDT area. Now, NEAR's price is rebounding again and is currently in contact with the 1.35 USDT resistance area. A breakout of this level would set the next objective as an extension toward the 1.80 USDT vector resistance, near the highs seen at the beginning of 2026.
