Imagine that NEAR Protocol says: *“I am not broken, I am upgrading!”* 🤖💅 And Binance? They are right here, holding tools 🧰 to ensure everything runs smoothly for YOU. Let’s have a quick chat — as if we are sitting at the table with a cup of coffee ☕️👇

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🚨 What’s happening?

🗓️ *August 18, 2025*

🕛 *00:00 UTC* — Binance *will suspend deposits and withdrawals* for all tokens on *NEAR Protocol*.

🕐 *01:00 UTC* — The actual *network upgrade and hard fork* begins.

But don't worry — *trading will remain unchanged*. You can still buy/sell/trade NEAR as usual on Binance Spot.

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🧠 Why this matters

This *network upgrade + hard fork* — it’s not just a patch, it’s a significant step towards improvement:

✅ *Performance*

✅ *Scalability*

✅ *Security*

✅ And possibly even *future compatibility with new technologies like zk or AI* 🧬

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🔮 Predictions and outlook

- *After the NEAR upgrade*, it may attract more developers and applications, especially if the infrastructure improvements are significant.

- If the upgrade goes smoothly, *user trust in NEAR will grow* — potentially bullish in the long term.

- In the short term? Small price fluctuations are normal around hard forks, but nothing to worry about if you are set on the long term.

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🛡️ What you need to do

*Absolutely nothing.* Binance is doing everything — no action required on your part.

BUT:

✅ Avoid transfers during the maintenance window

✅ If you are into yield farming or staking through NEAR, watch for protocol synchronization delays

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🧠 Tips for traders and holders

- Set alerts in case *deposits/withdrawals reopen* (Binance will not issue another announcement).

- *Do not panic or sell* during small price fluctuations — this is normal during upgrades.

- Keep an eye on *developer updates or changelogs* after the hard fork for a deeper understanding of the improvements.

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🗣️ Closing word

This is not just a technical upgrade — it’s part of the *long-term vision for NEAR to become a next-level smart contract platform*. And with full support from Binance, you are in safe hands if you hold NEAR.

So if you were wondering *“Is NEAR still building?”* — they are not just building, they are improving. 🧗‍♂️💥

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#NEARProtocol#BinanceUpdate#CryptoMaintenance