Near (NEAR)
What is NEAR?â
NEAR is a Layer 1 blockchain built for fast, low-cost transactions and user-friendly apps. It uses a sharding design called Nightshade to help the network scale while keeping transaction fees practical for everyday wallet activity.
Here are 5 key points about NEAR:
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NEAR is the native asset used to pay transaction fees on the NEAR network.
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NEAR uses Nightshade sharding to help process transactions efficiently as activity grows.
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NEAR supports smart contracts and decentralized apps.
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NEAR is known for user-friendly account features, including human-readable account names in supported wallets and apps.
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NEAR is used for transfers, app activity, and cross-chain swap routes through supported providers.
Learn more about NEAR by reading the Gem Wallet Learn article: What Is The NEAR Blockchain?
NEAR on Gem Walletâ
Gem Wallet has the following features enabled for NEAR:
- Store NEAR securely.
- Send and receive NEAR.
- Buy NEAR directly in the app.
- Cross-chain swap supported assets into NEAR.

How to Get NEAR?â
Here are some ways to get NEAR:
- Buy NEAR directly on the Gem Wallet app.
- Receive NEAR with your NEAR address in Gem Wallet.
- Swap supported assets into NEAR using Gem Wallet.

Send only NEAR network assets to your NEAR address. Assets sent on the wrong chain may not appear in your wallet.
Can I Swap NEAR on Gem Wallet?â
Yes. Gem Wallet supports cross-chain swaps for NEAR:
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Use Cross-Chain Swap to swap supported assets from other blockchains into NEAR.
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You can also swap NEAR to other supported assets in the app.

Network fees vary by blockchain. Make sure you have enough of the sending asset to cover the fee before starting a cross-chain swap.
Transaction Fees on NEARâ
The fees on NEAR are summarized as follows:
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NEAR transactions require fees paid in NEAR.
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Fees are usually low, which makes NEAR practical for regular wallet transfers.
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Fees can vary depending on network activity and the transaction type.
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Gem Wallet shows the network fee before you confirm a NEAR transaction.

How to Check NEAR Balance?â
Gem Wallet connects to NEAR to show your NEAR balance. Tap on the 3 dots at the upper right corner, then tap View address on NEAR Blocks.
NEAR Blocks is the default NEAR explorer of Gem Wallet. You can manually check balances and transactions by going to NEAR Blocks and searching for your NEAR address.

Why Choose Gem Wallet for NEAR?â
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Self-Custody & Security: Gem Wallet gives you full control over your private keys and NEAR.
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Simple NEAR Support: Send, receive, buy, and store NEAR in one wallet.
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Cross-Chain Support: Gem Wallet supports cross-chain swaps into NEAR and from NEAR to other supported assets.
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Open-Source Wallet: Gem Wallet is open source and built for users who want transparent, self-custody crypto management.
Conclusion
NEAR is a fast Layer 1 blockchain built for low-cost transfers and app activity. With Gem Wallet, users can buy, store, send, receive, and cross-chain swap NEAR while keeping full control of their wallet.