Near Protocol (NEAR) spikes to the upside: Is Chainlink (LINK) next?

It may be a little early for breakouts among the altcoins, given that the Bitcoin bulls and bears are still deciding whether the price has made a local bottom. That said, the Near Protocol (NEAR) price spiked as much as 9.3% on Friday morning, while Chainlink (LINK) is back in the breakout zone.

$NEAR price spike takes it to resistance and possible breakout

Source: TradingView

A big price spike from $NEAR has put this crypto up against horizontal resistance and close to the descending trendline. However, the Stochastic RSI indicators are starting to top out, while volume would need to increase if a successful breakout is to occur.

Horizontal resistance is key for $NEAR bulls

Source: TradingView

The weekly time frame for the $NEAR price reveals that it is very much an open and shut case. The strong horizontal resistance level at $3.13 is key to everything. If the bulls can break through this and confirm above, then the last stage of the crypto bull market is very much on for $NEAR.

A W pattern may still be in formation, with the neckline at the horizontal resistance level. 

At the bottom of the chart, the Stochastic RSI indicators are going to need to turn back around. If they can do this, it could provide the momentum for the breakout.

Breakout not quite yet for $LINK?

Source: TradingView

The short-term time frame for $LINK shows that the price is right up against the top trendline of the channel again. However, just as is the case for $NEAR, the Stochastic RSI indicators are showing signs of topping out soon, while the volume profile is still decreasing. This is not exhibiting the confidence for a breakout.

It might be more likely that the price is rejected from the trendline once again. This would allow the momentum to reset before another, perhaps more successful attempt at a breakout.

$LINK bull flag breakout as soon as next week

Source: TradingView

In the weekly time frame things look very interesting for the $LINK price. A big rise from June until August 2025 ended with a long sideways and downwards consolidation phase, which looks very much like a bull flag. Given that the $LINK price is right up against that top trendline, and that there are only a couple of days left in the week, a breakout for next week is quite likely. 

Look for the Stochastic RSI indicators to start turning sideways and then up at the 50.00 level. Also, the volume bars would start to increase in size.

One major factor to take into account when backing either $NEAR or $LINK is the status of $BTC. These altcoins are only going to breakout if $BTC leads. Keep a very close eye on the $BTC price over the rest of this week.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.