SovereignAI and OceanPal's $120M Fundraise: A Strategic Play for NEAR's Token Supply and AI-Driven Data Monetization

In October 2025, OceanPal Inc. announced a $120 million private investment in public equity (PIPE) transaction to launch SovereignAI, a subsidiary focused on leveraging the NEAR Protocol and NVIDIA technology to build privacy-preserving AI infrastructure, as reported by Coinotag and CryptoBriefing. This move positions OceanPal as a key player in the AI-sovereignty space, with a digital asset treasury strategy targeting the acquisition of up to 10% of NEAR's native token supply over time, according to MarketScreener. For AI-native investors, the initiative raises critical questions about NEAR's tokenomics, competitive positioning, and the broader implications of AI-driven data monetization in decentralized ecosystems.

NEAR Protocol's Tokenomics: A Foundation for Growth

The NEAR Protocol (NEAR) operates on a fixed total supply of 1 billion tokens, with an annual issuance rate of 5%-4.5% allocated to validators and 0.5% to the protocol treasury, per CoinMarketCap. As of Q4 2025, the circulating supply stands at 1,277,849,253 tokens, with a market capitalization of $2.88 billion at a price of $2.25 per token, according to a TradingView analysis. Price projections suggest a trading range of $1.90 to $3.40 for much of 2025, with potential breakout scenarios pushing the token toward $5.50 if demand surges. This dynamic is further supported by NEAR's dynamic sharding technology, which enables sub-second finality and scalability-critical for AI applications requiring low-latency operations, as covered by VentureBurn.

Competitive Positioning: NEAR vs. Ethereum and Solana

NEAR's modular architecture and AI-centric focus place it in direct competition with Ethereum and Solana, both of which have made strides in AI-driven blockchain initiatives. Ethereum's AI-native platforms now enable startups to launch tokens faster and cheaper, per an Antier Solutions analysis. Meanwhile, Solana's hybrid Proof-of-Stake and Proof-of-History architecture processes over 65,000 TPS, attracting projects like Kite AI to build autonomous financial systems on its network.

However, NEAR's strategic advantage lies in its tailored approach to AI infrastructure. By integrating NVIDIA's AI tools with blockchain-native capabilities, SovereignAI aims to create a unique value proposition: autonomous AI agents that manage digital assets and execute cross-chain transactions, as reported by Coinotag and MarketScreener. This contrasts with Solana's recent challenges, including declining liquidity in some projects and broader ecosystem headwinds highlighted by Blockchain Reporter.

SovereignAI's 10% NEAR Treasury Strategy: Tokenomics Implications

SovereignAI's plan to acquire 10% of NEAR's token supply-approximately 100 million tokens-could significantly impact the protocol's tokenomics. By locking up a substantial portion of the circulating supply, the initiative may reduce sell pressure and increase token utility through governance and staking mechanisms. This aligns with NEAR's existing treasury model, which allocates 0.5% of annual issuance to fund ecosystem growth (CoinMarketCap).

For AI-native investors, the move introduces a dual-layer value proposition: (1) exposure to NEAR's token price appreciation as SovereignAI scales its AI infrastructure, and (2) participation in a digital asset treasury that mirrors institutional-grade strategies seen in other ecosystems. However, risks include regulatory scrutiny over concentrated token ownership and potential volatility in AI-driven markets.

Investment Implications for AI-Native Investors

The SovereignAI-OceanPal partnership underscores a broader trend: the convergence of AI and blockchain in data monetization. For investors, this raises three key considerations:
1. Token Supply Dynamics: NEAR's fixed supply and SovereignAI's acquisition strategy could create scarcity-driven demand, contrasting with Ethereum's inflationary model and Solana's declining inflation schedule (CoinMarketCap and Solana Compass).
2. AI Infrastructure Adoption: The success of SovereignAI's privacy-preserving AI tools will hinge on developer adoption and enterprise partnerships, similar to integrations seen in the Solana ecosystem.
3. Regulatory and Market Risks: AI-native investors must weigh the potential for rapid innovation against uncertainties in regulatory frameworks governing AI and digital assets.

Conclusion

OceanPal's $120M fundraise for SovereignAI represents a bold bet on NEAR's ability to redefine AI infrastructure through decentralized, privacy-preserving solutions. By targeting 10% of NEAR's token supply and leveraging NVIDIA's AI expertise, the initiative could catalyze a new era of AI-driven data monetization. For investors, the key will be monitoring SovereignAI's execution against its roadmap, NEAR's token price resilience, and the broader competitive landscape as Ethereum and Solana continue to evolve their AI strategies.