EL7.AI
Crypto•2 July 2026•
1 min read

AI Crypto Tokens in Focus: Technical Catalysts and ETF Speculation Drive TAO, AKT, and NEAR

Key Facts

1Speculation regarding Bittensor (TAO) ETFs is driving investor interest.
2Akash Network (AKT) is preparing for its Mainnet 18 upgrade to enhance cloud computing capabilities.
3NEAR Protocol is seeing growth in NEAR Intents, supporting a bullish outlook for the token.

As the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology continues to evolve, three specific crypto tokens have emerged as key assets to watch this July. According to reports, speculation regarding the potential launch of Bittensor (TAO) ETFs is driving significant investor interest. Simultaneously, Akash Network (AKT) is preparing for its Mainnet 18 upgrade to enhance decentralized cloud computing capabilities, while NEAR Protocol is seeing growth in its NEAR Intents feature, supporting a bullish outlook for the ecosystem.

This momentum arrives as decentralized AI projects strive to compete with traditional tech giants, with NEAR Protocol recording substantial growth in network activity over the recent quarter per market data. Compared to previous periods, distributed computing projects like Akash have demonstrated resilience against market volatility, fueled by rising demand for GPU resources required for AI model training—a trend experts link to the broader growth of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN).

Traders should monitor liquidity levels as the Akash Mainnet 18 upgrade approaches, alongside broader macroeconomic catalysts such as ECB President Lagarde's speech scheduled for June 29, 2026, which may influence overall risk sentiment.