NEAR Implements AI Payment Through Staking

cryptonews.ruPublished on 2026-07-31Last updated on 2026-07-31

Abstract

NEAR AI, a platform for confidential computing and autonomous AI agents, has introduced a novel method for users to pay for AI computational resources using staking. Instead of traditional monthly subscriptions paid via bank card, users can now lock up a specific amount of $NEAR tokens and receive monthly compute credits based on the staked amount. The tokens are neither spent nor deducted; they remain in the user's ownership and can be returned to their wallet after unstaking. Users have the flexibility to increase or decrease their staked $NEAR depending on their usage of AI services. This staking-based payment mechanism supports 43 models available on NEAR AI, including those from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google, and is designed for confidential query processing and autonomous AI agent operations. The new system represents the first practical implementation of the "AI money" concept previously proposed by NEAR. The core idea is to directly link the usage of AI services with the cryptoasset underpinning the network.

$NEAR AI — a platform for confidential computing and launching autonomous AI agents, has introduced a new way to pay for AI computational resources through staking $NEAR tokens. Instead of a monthly subscription paid with a bank card, users can lock up a certain amount of $NEAR and receive computational credits each month. The volume of credits depends on the amount staked.

In this process, the tokens are not deducted or spent. They remain in the user's ownership and can be returned to the wallet after unstaking. The user can increase or decrease the amount of staked $NEAR depending on their usage of AI services.

The mechanism supports 43 models available on $NEAR AI, including solutions from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google. It is designed for confidential query processing and the operation of autonomous AI agents.

The new mechanism is the first practical application of the "AI money" concept previously proposed by $NEAR. Its idea is to directly link the use of AI services with the cryptoasset underlying the network.

Image: Magnific

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Related Questions

QWhat new payment method for AI computational resources did NEAR AI introduce?

ANEAR AI introduced a new method to pay for AI computational resources by staking $NEAR tokens, replacing traditional monthly subscriptions paid by bank card.

QWhat happens to the user's $NEAR tokens when they use this new staking mechanism?

AThe $NEAR tokens are not spent or deducted. They remain in the user's ownership, locked in staking to generate monthly computational credits, and can be returned to the wallet after unstaking.

QHow many AI models does the new mechanism on NEAR AI support?

AThe mechanism supports 43 models available on NEAR AI, including solutions from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google.

QWhat is the core idea behind the 'AI money' concept proposed by NEAR?

AThe 'AI money' concept aims to directly link the usage of AI services with the cryptocurrency asset that underpins the NEAR network.

QWhat are the key features the new staking mechanism is designed for on NEAR AI?

AThe mechanism is designed for confidential query processing and the operation of autonomous AI agents.

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