NEAR & TAO Overshadowed? This AI Crypto's Near $1M Presale Surge Demands Attention

Artificial intelligence is once again flipping the script in crypto. In 2025, AI tokens aren’t just trending, they’re redefining how smart contracts evolve into smart ecosystems. But with dozens of projects chasing the AI narrative, the real question is which ones bring more than just hype.

This May, three names are cutting through the noise: NEAR Protocol (NEAR), Bittensor (TAO), and the breakout presale contender Unstaked (UNSD). Each takes a different route: NEAR is backing AI innovation with Layer 1 funding, Bittensor is building a decentralized brain for machine learning, and Unstaked is putting autonomous agents to work inside actual Web3 communities.

All three are worth watching, but only one is launching a live utility tied directly to its token. Here’s how they compare, and why Unstaked may be the smartest AI crypto entry this month.

NEAR Protocol: $20M AI Fund Sets the Stage, But It’s Still Early

NEAR Protocol is making bold moves with a $20 million AI Agent Fund aimed at jumpstarting decentralized AI development on its Layer 1. With strong backing from VCs and a reputation as a developer-first platform, NEAR is courting early AI builders looking to experiment with smart contract-based agent tools. Its high throughput and ultra-low fees make it a strong technical fit for future AI use cases.

But here’s the catch: most of its momentum is still grant-driven. There are no active on-chain agents, no Proof-of-Intelligence system, and no real AI execution layer live yet. For now, NEAR is building the foundation, but the payoff may take time. It’s a longer-term bet, not a quick-fire breakout.

Bittensor: The Open-Source AI Superbrain with Big Price Potential

Bittensor (TAO) is pushing the limits of crypto-AI integration with its decentralized machine learning protocol. Anyone can contribute models, and those delivering top performance are rewarded with TAO tokens. With a current price near $340 and strong analyst projections suggesting a possible 2–3x surge by late 2025, Bittensor is becoming a favorite among those betting on decentralized compute.

Still, it’s not built for the masses. The learning curve is steep, and its infrastructure caters more to ML engineers than everyday crypto users. While the vision is massive, it lacks the plug-and-play AI utility that newer projects like Unstaked are rolling out. It’s powerful, but niche, for now.

Unstaked (UNSD): Real AI Agents. Real Utility. Real Upside

Unstaked (UNSD) is putting AI to work where it counts—in real-time, across decentralized communities. Its autonomous AI agents are designed to manage chats, onboard users, post updates, and boost engagement on platforms like Telegram and X. These aren’t abstract promises or beta tools. They’re ready-to-launch systems solving a core Web3 need from day one.

What truly sets Unstaked apart is its on-chain Proof of Intelligence (PoI) system. Every task performed by an agent is tracked, scored, and rewarded based on quality. This creates a performance-first AI economy, where only high-value output earns UNSD tokens. It’s accountability baked directly into the system, removing speculation from the reward model.

While NEAR is still funding experiments and Bittensor focuses on technical model training, Unstaked is deployment-ready. The infrastructure is already built. Once the token lists, the agents go live, linking to the ken utility directly to real-world AI performance. It’s one of the first end-to-end systems designed for Web3 communities to scale with intelligent automation.

Currently priced at $0.006695 in Stage 2 of its presale, with a projected listing price of $0.1819, Unstaked offers a sharp 2,700% upside. With nearly $1 million raised in under a week, the project isn’t gaining traction, it’s already accelerating.

Key Insights

NEAR and Bittensor remain strong long-term contenders. NEAR brings speed, scalability, and solid funding through its grant ecosystem, while Bittensor continues building momentum among AI specialists with its decentralized model-training marketplace. Both are building the groundwork for future infrastructure.

But if the priority is immediate AI utility, low entry pricing, and live deployment post-listing, Unstaked stands in a league of its own. Its autonomous agents are built, tested, and tied directly to on-chain rewards. With no insider allocations, a clear performance model, and viral presale traction, Unstaked is quickly becoming the AI crypto play of 2025.