What is NEAR Protocol?

NEAR Protocol is a blockchain platform designed to support decentralized applications and intelligent agents. Founded in 2018 by Alex Skidanov and Erik Mark Hayes, it employs a sharded blockchain architecture to enhance scalability and speed. The platform enables transactions and interactions across both Web2 and Web3 environments.

Its technical framework includes components aimed at facilitating user-owned AI, which directs agents to act in alignment with user interests. Additionally, it incorporates Intents and Chain Abstraction to streamline multi-chain transactions. NEAR Protocol focuses on low-cost execution and aims to serve as a foundation for secure applications within the AI and Web3 domains.