Top AI Crypto Coins to Watch in July: TAO, AKT, NEAR

Bittensor (TAO), Akash Network (AKT), and Near Protocol (NEAR) are three AI-linked crypto tokens to watch in July, as each approaches key technical levels amid major network and institutional catalysts.

Bittensor: Expect ‘Buy The Rumor’ Rally Ahead of TAO ETF Deadline

Bittensor’s upside catalysts for July include pending ETF decisions and a technical bullish reversal setup.

SEC’s 6-Month Decision Window On TAO ETFs Ends in August

Grayscale filed its initial S-1 on Dec. 30, 2025 to convert the Grayscale Bittensor Trust into an ETF-style product listed on NYSE Arca. The firm then filed an amended S-1 on April 2, 2026, keeping the proposed conversion alive under the ticker GTAO.

Several market trackers point to August as the expected SEC decision window for TAO-related ETF filings.

This is not a hard cutoff (SEC reviews can extend), but it aligns with the typical 6-month review timeline for similar filings under the agency’s processes for crypto products.

Bitwise also filed a related TAO strategy ETF around the same time, adding to the momentum.

A positive signal before or during the August window could strengthen TAO’s rebound case from the $200 support zone, while delays or silence from regulators could keep the token under pressure.

TAO/USD Technical Analysis: A July Rally Toward $250 Likely

TAO is attempting to rebound from the lower boundary of its prevailing triangle range, with buyers defending the $200–$210 area.

The token now needs a clean move above the 20-day EMA near $220 to confirm short-term strength. If that happens, TAO could extend its recovery toward the triangle’s upper trendline, which aligns near the $235–$250 zone and the 0.236 Fibonacci level around $237.

A breakout above that confluence would strengthen the bullish case for a move toward $250. However, failure to clear the upper trendline may keep TAO trapped inside the broader consolidation pattern.

Akash Network: AKT Eyes July Rebound After Mainnet 18 Upgrade

Akash Network enters July with a dual catalyst: its Mainnet 18 upgrade and a developing technical rebound setup.

Mainnet 18 Strengthens Akash’s AI Compute Marketplace

Mainnet 18 introduced Oracle v2, Resource Reclamation under AEP-82, and market-event fixes to improve Akash’s cloud marketplace.

Oracle v2 improves pricing reliability by using real-world timestamps to detect stale data more accurately. Resource Reclamation lets providers recover unused leased capacity, reducing idle compute.

For AI workloads, this matters because GPU markets need accurate pricing, available supply, and faster resource turnover. In July, AKT’s key test is whether these upgrades drive more deployments, stronger GPU demand, and higher network utility.

AKT/USD Technical Analysis: Bounce Toward $0.75 Possible

AKT is attempting to rebound from the lower boundary of its prevailing triangle structure, with buyers defending the $0.59–$0.61 support area.

That zone also aligns with the 0.5 Fibonacci retracement level near $0.59, making it a key short-term floor. A daily close back above the $0.64–$0.66 EMA cluster would strengthen the rebound setup.

If confirmed, AKT could rally toward $0.75, where the 0.236 Fibonacci level and the triangle’s descending upper trendline converge. Failure to hold $0.59, however, risks a deeper pullback toward $0.51.

NEAR Protocol: NEAR Eyes July Breakout as Intents Volume Tops $22B

NEAR Protocol enters July with a dual catalyst: rising usage from NEAR Intents and a developing falling wedge breakout on the daily chart.

NEAR Intents Becomes a Key Revenue Driver

NEAR Intents, the protocol’s intent-based cross-chain execution layer, has become one of NEAR’s strongest fundamental growth drivers.

By July 2026, cumulative transaction volume on NEAR Intents had surpassed $22 billion, up more than fourfold since late 2025. Recent activity also remains strong, with 24-hour volume near $94 million and 30-day volume above $2.24 billion.

The platform has generated more than $37 million in cumulative fees, including about $3.11 million in fees over the past 30 days. Annualized fees are also running near $37 million, highlighting consistent demand for cross-chain swaps and unified liquidity routing.

NEAR has also started capturing part of this activity for token buybacks since February 2026, generating roughly $4 million in holder revenue. That makes Near Intents a revenue engine for the protocol, with improved margins and steady growth in activity.

For NEAR, July’s key fundamental test is whether Intents can keep expanding transaction volume, fees, and buyback-linked value capture.

NEAR/USD Technical Analysis: Falling Wedge Breakout Targets $3

NEAR is attempting to break out of a falling wedge pattern on the daily chart, a setup often linked to bullish reversals.

The token recently rebounded from the wedge’s lower boundary near the 200-day EMA around $1.79, showing buyers are defending long-term support. NEAR has since moved back toward the wedge’s upper trendline near $1.95–$2.00, where it also faces its 20-day and 50-day EMA cluster.

A daily close above this resistance zone would confirm the breakout and strengthen the case for a July rally. The measured upside target sits near $3.00, aligning with the June swing high and horizontal resistance.

Failure to clear $2.00, however, could keep NEAR trapped inside the wedge and expose the token to another retest of the $1.75–$1.80 support range.