AI Crypto Sector Soars Past $41 Billion: TAO, FET, NEAR, ICP, RENDER Lead Gains

The artificial intelligence (AI) crypto sector has posted significant gains, with the total market cap for AI-linked altcoins soaring past $41 billion. This surge is largely driven by strong price increases in top tokens such as Bittensor (TAO), Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET), Near Protocol (NEAR), Internet Computer (ICP), and Render (RENDER).

This rise in AI altcoins occurs as Bitcoin eyes a breakout above the $105,000 mark, investor appetite for AI-infused blockchain projects is rapidly gaining momentum–and with good reason.

TAO (Bittensor): Analyst Sees Path to $62,500 by 2030

TAO has been a standout performer, rising 3.3% in the last day and nearly 27% over the past week. At a major crypto summit in Austin, Contango Digital founder Mike Grantis made a bold prediction that TAO could trade above $62,500 by 2030. Currently trading around $467, this marks a gain of more than 13,000%.

The Intelligence Revolution by @mikecontango.

By 2031, $TAO will be $62,500.

Mike presents his case for why Bittensor will spearhead a transformation comparable to the Industrial Revolution.

This is just the beginning.

We’re still early. pic.twitter.com/zeOPiNyUkz

— Endgame (@endgame_summit) May 13, 2025

Grantis’s reasoning is compelling: unlike Bitcoin, which rose largely on a store-of-value narrative, Bittensor is building a decentralized network that directly incentivizes machine learning.

With hundreds of functioning AI subnets, growing developer adoption, and real-world utility, some believe TAO has the kind of long-term growth runway that could dwarf earlier crypto cycles.

FET (Artificial Superintelligence Alliance): Bullish Pennant Hints at Breakout

FET jumped nearly 9% in 24 hours and now trades at $0.8786. Technical indicators suggest that the long-term uptrend is intact, with the price consolidating inside a bullish pennant pattern.

$FET Monthly

The Monthly #FET chart is dynamite:

> Macro uptrend dating back 5 years held as support, confirming once again the long-term bull trend.
> Price is coiling up into a Bullish Pennant. When this chart breaks out, look out.
> Next major zone to test is Monthly… pic.twitter.com/D46uicds60

— Crypto Kindie (@CryptoKindie) May 13, 2025

Analyst Crypto Kindle believes that once the token breaks above its $1.5 monthly resistance, it could either backtest at $0.80 or enter a full-blown altseason rally toward its previous all-time highs.

NEAR Protocol (NEAR): Institutional Interest Grows with ETF Filing, AI Focus

Near Protocol (NEAR) surged more than 5% to reach $3.23. A significant driver for NEAR was the May 7th news that Bitwise filed for a spot NEAR ETF with the SEC. This marks the first such ETF filing for a Layer 1 blockchain after Ethereum and Solana, immediately positioning NEAR as a contender for serious institutional inflows.

$NEAR making MASSIVE moves while $BTC sits above $100K! 🚀

Bitwise just filed for spot @NEARProtocol ETF with SEC on May 7th – the first Layer 1 after $ETH / $SOL to get institutional backing!

But that’s not all:
– Protocol V77 upgrade dropped last May 8th.
– Chain Signatures… pic.twitter.com/ctcUs6LXUC

— CryptoBusy (@CryptoBusy) May 13, 2025

This development, coupled with NEAR’s latest protocol upgrade (V77) and the introduction of Chain Signatures (which eliminate the need for wrapped tokens), underscores its technical advancements. NEAR’s presence at AI-focused conferences further solidifies its strategy to become a Layer 1 blockchain anchoring AI activity on-chain.

Proof of this AI integration focus includes over 100 developers recently building functioning AI agents on NEAR at a San Francisco hackathon.

ICP (Internet Computer): Analyst Eyes Breakout from Accumulation Zone

Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) is nearing the $6 threshold after a 6.25% gain. The 20-day EMA at $5.3 stands as the nearest support for the cryptocurrency.

This Accumulation Zone Could Send $ICP to $79+

👉 #ICP is sitting in the accumulation zone.
👉 Holding above major support.
👉 A breakout above $7.16 = bull control confirmed ✅
👉 Next resistance? $15–$18 zone.

If this plays out… $50–$79 is possible in the bull run!

Don’t… pic.twitter.com/59FmL4ANS8

— Crypto Patel (@CryptoPatel) May 13, 2025

According to analyst Crypto Patel, this level could be the final stage in its accumulation zone. A confirmed breakout above $7.16 could put $15–$18 on the radar, with long-term potential stretching to $79 in a full bull run.

RENDER (RENDER): Decentralized GPU Power Fuels Continued Growth

RENDER, which provides decentralized GPU rendering for AI and metaverse projects, has also seen a 6.39% jump to $5.35.

$RENDER | @rendernetwork

Wave 3 Kicking Off 🚀

Next Stop: $8.30 🚦

All Math, No Feelings 👇 pic.twitter.com/41QR6D9d7V

— Quantum Ascend (@quantum_ascend) May 12, 2025

With RSI at 65.70, it’s nearing overbought territory–but momentum remains strong. The token’s 20-day EMA of $4.75 now acts as support, and analysts see a push to $8.30 as very much in play.

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