The narrative around Layer 1 blockchains is heating up again. After a prolonged period of stagnation,老牌公链 (legacy public chains) like Avalanche (AVAX), NEAR Protocol (NEAR), and Fantom (FTM) are showing strong signs of life. While Solana has dominated much of the spotlight in the current bull cycle, these earlier-generation ecosystems are now catching fire — but is this just capital spillover, or a genuine resurgence of confidence in their long-term potential?
This article explores the recent momentum behind AVAX, NEAR, FTM, and TON, analyzing on-chain data, ecosystem developments, and macro trends like AI and gaming that may be fueling renewed investor interest.
NEAR Rides the AI Wave: Infrastructure for the Next-Gen Tech Stack
One of the biggest catalysts for NEAR’s recent rally has been its strategic positioning at the intersection of blockchain and artificial intelligence.
Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR Protocol, announced he would participate in NVIDIA’s GTC24 conference — specifically in a session titled “Transforming AI” alongside industry titan Jensen Huang. This association with one of the most influential events in the AI world sent shockwaves through crypto markets.
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NEAR has long positioned itself as an infrastructure layer for AI innovation. As early as February 2023, the team outlined a vision where NEAR enables decentralized data markets — creating a value layer for data ownership, pricing, and access. Developers can build AI applications that leverage transparent and verifiable datasets without relying on centralized intermediaries.
Beyond theory, NEAR has taken concrete steps. Its collaboration with Cosmose AI, a consumer behavior analytics platform, aims to integrate stablecoin payments into retail ecosystems — reducing friction and cost for crypto-based commerce.
The market response was immediate: NEAR broke above $5 and surged past $8 within days. The momentum wasn’t limited to the native token — meme coins within the ecosystem also reactivated. BLACKDRAGON, a community-driven meme project on NEAR, rallied over 700% from its lows, reflecting renewed speculative energy and user engagement.
This suggests more than just price action — it signals a thawing of developer and community activity after a quiet period.
Why It Matters:
- AI + blockchain convergence is emerging as a core narrative in 2025.
- NEAR’s technical foundation makes it a natural fit for decentralized AI use cases.
- High-profile partnerships and events amplify visibility and attract institutional attention.
Avalanche Soars with Gaming and Ecosystem Upgrades
While NEAR leans into AI, Avalanche is doubling down on Web3 gaming — and the results are showing.
On March 11, South Korean gaming giant Nexon Group announced a major partnership with Ava Labs to launch MapleStory Universe, a Web3 version of its iconic MMORPG MapleStory. First released in 2003, MapleStory boasts over 180 million users globally across two decades — making this one of the most significant traditional gaming entries into blockchain to date.
The new MapleStory N will allow players to create their own game worlds and earn Web3 rewards, with NFTs forming the backbone of its in-game economy. Although specifics around tokenomics remain under wraps, the integration with Avalanche’s high-speed, low-cost network ensures scalability for millions of potential users.
This news comes at a pivotal time. Just before the announcement, Avalanche rolled out its Durango upgrade, introducing “Teleporter” — a cross-chain messaging protocol that enhances interoperability between subnets. This upgrade strengthens Avalanche’s multi-chain architecture, making it easier for games and dApps to communicate across isolated environments.
Market reaction was swift:
- AVAX price jumped to $54.55 (+15.88%)
- Gamer Arena (GAU) surged 41.5%
- Joe (JOE) rose 16.3%
Even meme tokens saw a revival. COQ, a popular meme coin on Avalanche, climbed over 300% from its bottom, demonstrating broad-based ecosystem momentum.
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Key Takeaways:
- Legacy games adopting Web3 can onboard millions of non-crypto-native users.
- Avalanche’s subnet model offers superior performance for gaming dApps.
- Ecosystem upgrades + major partnerships = powerful bullish catalysts.
TON Gains Traction via Telegram Integration
Another Layer 1 making waves is The Open Network (TON) — not because of technical upgrades, but due to tight integration with Telegram, one of the world’s most widely used messaging platforms.
On February 28, Telegram announced its ad platform would expand to nearly 100 new countries. Crucially, 50% of ad revenue would go directly to channel owners — and all payouts would be processed via TON blockchain.
This creates a real-world utility loop:
- Advertisers pay in Toncoin (TON).
- Telegram shares revenue with creators in TON.
- Creators can either cash out or reinvest in their channels using TON.
It's a flywheel effect — driving demand for TON while empowering content creators globally.
Shortly after, Binance launched 1–50x USDT-margined perpetual contracts for TON, fueling speculation about a potential spot listing. The combination of real-world use and exchange momentum pushed TON up over 27%, reaching $4.39 with a 29.5% 24-hour gain.
Smart Money Flows Into Fantom: Is FTM Undervalued?
Fantom often flies under the radar — but smart investors are paying attention.
According to on-chain analytics firm Nansen, FTM ranked among the top assets for Smart Money inflows in early March:
- March 3: ~$1.53M inflow → price briefly broke $0.70 (+30.56%)
- March 5: ~$1.79M inflow → sustained momentum
One whale accumulated 4.71 million FTM (~$2.69M) across Gemini and Airswap, realizing a **$600K paper profit** in just two days.
Such coordinated accumulation by informed traders suggests growing confidence in Fantom’s fundamentals — possibly tied to upcoming ecosystem developments or broader L1 rotation.
With FTM trading around $0.83 and showing resilience amid volatile markets, it may represent one of the more undervalued plays among established Layer 1s.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are AVAX and NEAR part of a broader L1 revival?
Yes. After being overshadowed by newer chains like Solana, AVAX and NEAR are regaining traction due to strategic ecosystem developments — gaming for Avalanche, AI for NEAR — aligning with major tech trends in 2025.
Q: Is the rally driven by speculation or fundamentals?
Both. While price surges include speculative elements (especially around meme coins), core drivers like real-world integrations (Telegram/TON), gaming adoption (Nexon/Avalanche), and infrastructure upgrades (Durango) point to strengthening fundamentals.
Q: Why is AI important for blockchain projects like NEAR?
AI systems require vast amounts of data, which raises concerns about centralization and bias. Blockchain can provide transparent data provenance, fair access, and decentralized compute — making protocols like NEAR ideal foundations for ethical, open AI development.
Q: What role does "smart money" play in identifying opportunities?
Smart money refers to capital flows from experienced traders and institutions. When these actors accumulate assets like FTM or NEAR, it often precedes wider market recognition — serving as an early signal of value.
Q: Could meme coins on these chains sustain gains?
Meme coins like COQ and BLACKDRAGON are highly volatile and driven by sentiment. While they reflect renewed ecosystem activity, long-term sustainability depends on continued innovation and user growth beyond speculation.
Q: Is now a good time to explore these ecosystems?
With multiple catalysts unfolding — from product launches to exchange listings — there’s strong momentum. However, thorough research is essential before engaging with any project or token.
Final Thoughts: Old Chains, New Momentum
The resurgence of AVAX, NEAR, FTM, and TON isn’t random noise — it reflects a broader shift in market sentiment. Investors are no longer focused solely on hype; they’re looking for real use cases, ecosystem strength, and long-term viability.
Whether through AI integration, gaming adoption, social platform synergies, or smart capital flows, these Layer 1 blockchains are proving they still have relevance in today’s evolving crypto landscape.
As narratives mature and adoption grows, those who understand the underlying drivers — not just price charts — will be best positioned to navigate what comes next.
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Core Keywords: Avalanche (AVAX), NEAR Protocol, Layer 1 blockchain, AI blockchain, Web3 gaming, smart money, TON blockchain, Fantom (FTM)