CoinDesk 20 performance update: NEAR Protocol (NEAR) jumps 12.4% over weekend

CoinDesk

by CoinDesk Indices

March 2, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The CoinDesk 20 Index has shown mixed performance over the weekend, with NEAR Protocol (NEAR) leading gains after a 12.4% surge. Solana (SOL), up 2.1%, also contributed to the positive momentum among top performers. However, the broader index, which tracks 20 major cryptocurrencies, closed at 1907.12, a modest 0.3% increase from Friday's close. Despite this slight uptick, only eight of the 20 assets in the index ended the day higher, reflecting ongoing market volatility. The weekend's standout performer was NEAR Protocol, whose significant gain underscores its growing appeal in the cryptocurrency space. Solana also maintained strong performance, continuing its recent upward trajectory despite broader market fluctuations. On the downside, Polkadot (DOT) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH) saw notable declines of 7.3% and 4.5%, respectively, highlighting the varied dynamics within the crypto market. Ethereum (ETH), down 3.7%, joined Solana as a notable underperformer in recent sessions. This divergence in performance points to shifting investor sentiment and varying project developments impacting market positions. The CoinDesk 20 Index remains a key indicator of broader crypto trends, offering insights into both leading-edge projects like NEAR and more established platforms. The mixed bag of results underscores the unpredictable nature of cryptocurrency markets.

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Originally published on CoinDesk on 3/2/2026