The crypto market has been riding a bullish wave, with attention largely focused on high-performers like Solana and Avalanche. However, recent movements suggest a broader revival across older-generation Layer 1 (L1) blockchains. Projects such as NEAR, Fantom (FTM), and TON—once sidelined during previous cycles—are now regaining momentum. With AVAX and NEAR posting strong gains, the question arises: Is this merely capital spillover from dominant chains, or are we witnessing a genuine resurgence of the L1 narrative?
This article explores the catalysts behind the renewed interest in these ecosystems, from AI integration and gaming adoption to strategic partnerships and whale activity. We’ll examine how technological upgrades, ecosystem expansion, and macro-level market sentiment are collectively fueling this revival.
NEAR Protocol: Riding the AI Wave with Strategic Visibility
One of the most significant drivers behind NEAR’s recent rally is its positioning at the intersection of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). The announcement that Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR Protocol, would participate in NVIDIA’s GTC24 conference—alongside CEO Jensen Huang—acted as a powerful market catalyst. During the “Transforming AI” panel, Polosukhin discussed how NEAR’s infrastructure can support next-generation AI applications, reinforcing the chain’s relevance in one of tech’s hottest sectors.
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This exposure triggered a surge in investor confidence. NEAR’s price jumped from below $5 to over $8 within days. But beyond short-term speculation, NEAR has laid long-term groundwork for AI integration.
In early 2023, NEAR outlined its vision to serve as a decentralized foundation for AI use cases. By establishing a value layer for data governance and pricing, NEAR enables developers to build AI applications that leverage transparent, tamper-proof data sources. This framework supports fair access and monetization models—critical components as AI ethics and data ownership gain global attention.
Additionally, NEAR partnered with Cosmose AI, a consumer behavior analytics platform, to develop a stablecoin-based payment system. This collaboration allows users to make low-cost cryptocurrency purchases in retail environments—an early step toward real-world utility.
Even meme coins within the NEAR ecosystem are seeing renewed activity. BLACKDRAGON, a community-driven token, surged over 700% from its lows and maintains strong 24-hour volume, signaling grassroots enthusiasm returning to the network.
Avalanche: Gaming Adoption Fuels Ecosystem Growth
While NEAR leverages AI narratives, Avalanche (AVAX) is capitalizing on another high-potential sector: Web3 gaming.
On March 11, Nexon Group—the South Korean gaming giant behind MapleStory—announced a strategic partnership with Ava Labs to launch MapleStory Universe, a Web3 version of its iconic franchise built on Avalanche. Since its 2003 debut, MapleStory has amassed over 180 million users globally, making it one of the most influential free-to-play online games in history.
The new Web3 iteration, MapleStory N, will allow players to create custom game worlds and earn rewards through NFTs and tokenized incentives. While specific reward mechanics remain under wraps, the central role of NFTs in the ecosystem suggests deep integration of digital ownership.
This move is more than symbolic—it represents a major institutional endorsement of Avalanche’s scalability and developer tools. The timing is also strategic. Just before the announcement, Ava Labs rolled out the Durango upgrade, introducing “Teleporter,” a cross-subnet messaging protocol that enhances interoperability across Avalanche’s subnet architecture.
The market responded swiftly:
- AVAX rose to $54.55 (+15.88% in 24 hours)
- Gamer Arena (GAU) surged 41.5% to $0.11
- JOE gained 16.3% to $0.7372
Meme tokens on Avalanche also revived. COQ climbed over 300% from its bottom and continues to show sustained trading interest.
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These developments indicate that Avalanche is successfully attracting both developers and mainstream audiences—an essential step toward sustainable ecosystem growth.
TON Gains Momentum Amid Binance Listing Speculation
The Open Network (TON), originally developed by Telegram, has seen substantial price appreciation driven by real-world utility and exchange listing expectations.
On February 28, Telegram announced the global rollout of its ad platform to nearly 100 new countries. Crucially, ad revenue sharing will be powered by TON blockchain: content creators receive 50% of ad earnings directly in Toncoin (TON), enabling instant payouts without traditional banking friction.
This creates a self-sustaining economic loop:
- Advertisers pay in Toncoin.
- Telegram shares revenue with channel owners via TON.
- Creators either cash out or reinvest in their channels.
With over 800 million Telegram users potentially exposed to this system, even minor adoption could significantly increase demand for TON.
Market sentiment intensified when Binance launched TON/USDT perpetual futures with up to 50x leverage on March 1—an often-precedent move before spot listings. Following these announcements, TON spiked over 27%, reaching $4.39 with a 29.5% 24-hour gain.
Smart Money Moves: Why Fantom (FTM) Is Back on Radar
Fantom isn’t riding viral narratives like AI or gaming—but it’s attracting something equally powerful: smart money.
According to Nansen data:
- On March 3, FTM ranked among top assets for Smart Money inflows, drawing ~$1.53 million.
- A whale acquired 4.71 million FTM (~$2.69M) via Gemini and Airswap, realizing a $600K paper profit within two days.
- On March 5, another $1.79 million flowed into FTM, placing it alongside RNDR and BEAM in top inflow assets.
Despite lacking headline-grabbing news, Fantom’s fundamentals remain solid:
- Fast finality and low fees
- Growing DeFi and lending protocols
- Ongoing optimization of its aBFT consensus mechanism
These metrics suggest that informed investors see value in FTM’s undervaluation relative to peers—a sign of potential long-term upside.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why are older L1 blockchains like NEAR and Fantom rising now?
These chains are benefiting from improved market sentiment, ecosystem developments (e.g., AI for NEAR), increased institutional interest (e.g., Nexon x Avalanche), and capital rotation from saturated top-tier chains.
Is the NEAR price surge sustainable?
Sustainability depends on continued execution of its AI roadmap and developer adoption. The GTC24 exposure was a catalyst, but real utility will determine long-term value.
What role does Telegram play in TON’s growth?
Telegram provides TON with massive user reach and built-in use cases like ad revenue sharing—offering tangible utility that few other L1s can match.
Are meme coins on NEAR and Avalanche a sign of health or speculation?
Early-stage meme coin revivals often reflect renewed community engagement. While speculative, they can signal returning liquidity and developer interest.
Why is smart money flowing into Fantom?
Whales may be anticipating undervaluation correction, upcoming protocol upgrades, or broader L1 rotation. On-chain data shows confidence despite limited media coverage.
Could Binance list TON spot trading?
While unconfirmed, Binance launching perpetual futures often precedes spot listings. High trading volume and Telegram’s backing increase likelihood.
The resurgence of AVAX, NEAR, FTM, and TON reflects more than just price action—it signals a maturing market where diverse narratives coexist. From AI integration to gaming innovation and decentralized revenue models, these ecosystems are proving their adaptability.
As capital spreads beyond mega-cap assets, investors have an opportunity to explore undervalued yet fundamentally sound projects poised for growth.
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