NEAR Protocol Aims for 1 Million TPS by 2025 with AI Integration

NEAR Protocol has set an ambitious goal to achieve 1 million transactions per second (TPS) by the end of 2025, a significant leap from its current average of 83 TPS and a peak of 4,135 TPS. This target is part of the protocol's strategy to support AI agents, micropayments, and decentralized services with rapid processing and minimal fees. The protocol plans to utilize Nightshade 2.0 sharding, stateless validation, and zero-knowledge proof to reach this milestone. The new infrastructure aims to deliver 400ms finality, which is over 7 times faster than VISA’s 3-second settlement window.

Alex Shevchenko, co-founder of Aurora, highlighted the transformative impact AI agents will have on the payments ecosystem. He predicted that AI agents will optimize for low fees, leading to the decline of subscription models. Shevchenko suggested that micropayments will replace recurring subscriptions, breaking away from traditional systems like VISA, MasterCard, and SWIFT. He emphasized that blockchain has the potential to become the backbone of this transition, provided it can scale effectively. Shevchenko noted that parallel processing, achieved through sharding, is essential for scaling. He pointed out that NEAR’s 400ms finality surpasses VISA’s 3-second requirement by over 7 times, making it a competitive option for high-speed transactions.

NEAR Protocol is focusing on advanced sharding architecture to enhance blockchain scalability. Bowen Wang, founder of NEAR One and core R&D lead, revealed plans to process 1 million TPS by 2025. This target will be tested in a dedicated network before further improvements are rolled out. Wang confirmed that Nightshade 2.0, NEAR’s dynamic sharding design, allows shard expansion within a single block. Future work on dynamic resharding will enable shards to split and merge based on demand, addressing growing volume from AI agents and global users. Current figures show NEAR operates at an average of 83 TPS, with a recorded peak of 4,135 TPS. Theoretical capacity stands at 12,000 TPS, but Nightshade 2.0 aims to scale past this bottleneck using stateless validation and real-time resharding.

NEAR’s future scalability relies on integrating stateless validation, which allows validators to confirm transactions without downloading full data. This approach reduces bandwidth usage and verification time. Wang noted that future upgrades will likely use zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs instead of merkle-based state witnesses. ZK proofs will ensure faster transaction confirmation while minimizing computational load. This change is expected to transform blockchain validation, making NEAR more adaptable and future-proof. NEAR also aims to establish seamless interaction between chains using Chain Signatures, connecting external blockchains and expanding the NEAR ecosystem. This feature supports a cross-chain network without UX disruptions caused by existing layer-2 or multichain bridges.

NEAR Protocol’s roadmap is closely aligned with AI agent integration. Wang envisions a future where AI systems can learn, operate safely, and make decisions independently. The goal is to create a decentralized AI-powered internet free from central control. The infrastructure will enable AI agents to interact, pay, and perform tasks in real time. A core focus remains on reducing entry barriers for developers and users. NEAR’s BOS (Blockchain Operating System) will further support AI-native applications. The team aims to create a frictionless, scalable blockchain system optimized for machine-to-machine interactions. Real-time feedback, rapid settlement, and reduced transaction fees are central to this goal.

NEAR Protocol is positioning itself as a leader in blockchain scalability through technical innovation and AI integration. The push toward 1 million TPS, backed by dynamic sharding and ZK proofs, reflects a long-term commitment to decentralization without compromising speed or user experience. The convergence of AI agents and blockchain is seen as inevitable. NEAR’s strategy to scale with sharding and improve interoperability could attract developers, enterprises, and users looking for a responsive and affordable network. If successful, NEAR could redefine how blockchain infrastructure supports a machine-driven economy. As AI agents rise in use, the need for fast, low-cost, and scalable platforms will only increase, and NEAR aims to be ready for this future.