HOT Wallet — The Main Wallet for NEAR Protocol

In this article, you’ll learn what NEAR Protocol is and why HOT Wallet is considered the main wallet in the NEAR ecosystem. We’ll briefly go over HOT Wallet’s key features, including named accounts, token swaps, cross-chain bridges, staking, app integrations, and Ledger support.

What is NEAR Protocol

NEAR Protocol is a Layer 1 blockchain designed for building decentralized apps (dApps). It focuses on scalability, low fees, and ease of use for both developers and users.

By using Proof of Stake and sharding technology, NEAR delivers fast transactions, simple account management, and a smooth user experience. This makes it an ideal platform for Web3 apps, DeFi, NFTs, and other ecosystem solutions.

HOT Wallet and NEAR

HOT Wallet is a non-custodial multi-chain wallet that supports numerous networks. These include Ethereum, BNB, Solana, TON, Stellar, TRON, Bitcoin, and over 160 other blockchains.

From the start, however, HOT Wallet was built specifically as a NEAR wallet. Support for other networks came later. That’s why most of its features and integrations are tailored for the NEAR ecosystem.

You can access HOT Wallet as a browser extension, mobile app, or Telegram mini app. It’s the largest wallet in the NEAR ecosystem by users and transactions.

The HOT Labs team collaborates closely with the NEAR team on infrastructure, bridges, and products built on NEAR Protocol.

These include:

• HOT Protocol: A Chain Signature Protocol for creating MPC wallets with 2FA protection and replaceable seed phrases.
• HOT Craft: An NFT marketplace with multi-chain architecture.
• HOT Pay: A payment system built on NEAR Intents.
• Bridges for TON, Stellar, BNB Chain, Avalanche, Optimism, Polygon, Plasma, and ADI Chain — all integrated into NEAR Intents.

How You Can Interact with NEAR Through HOT Wallet

HOT Wallet makes engaging with NEAR straightforward and efficient. Here’s a breakdown of its core functionalities:

Depositing and Sending NEAR Tokens

This is the foundation of any wallet. With HOT Wallet, you can receive and send all NEAR tokens — like $NEAR, $USDT, $USDC, and more — without restrictions.

Token Swaps

Integrated with RHEA Finance and NEAR Intents, HOT Wallet identifies the best trading routes for NEAR tokens. It even covers storage fees via gas relay if your NEAR balance is low.

Free Named Accounts

NEAR accounts feature human-readable names, such as name.near . Unlike other wallets, HOT Wallet lets you create them for free, without storage costs.

In the extension and mobile app, choose your own name. The Telegram mini app uses a special .tg domain based on your username. This is supported by major exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, OKX, and other wallets.

Cross-Chain Swaps or Bridges

HOT Wallet includes built-in cross-chain swaps. Move tokens from other blockchains to NEAR and back, or perform direct swaps like BTC → NEAR.

Staking and Lending in HOT Wallet

Support for native NEAR staking, liquid staking via rNEAR, and lending of popular tokens like USDC, USDT, ZEC, and more through RHEA Finance. Earn competitive APYs right within the wallet.

Connecting to Apps

HOT Wallet connects to all NEAR apps, allowing transaction signing via extension or mobile app. HOT Labs also developed the new NEAR Connector standard, integrated into apps like NEAR AI, NEAR Intents, Learn NEAR Club, and others.

Ledger Support

HOT Wallet enhances Ledger integration for NEAR with conveniences like mass account import, balance previews, cross-chain interactions, and more.

Working with NEAR Keys

Manage full-access keys and delete limited-access keys, reclaiming NEAR for storage back to your balance.

NFT Support

View, receive, and send NFTs in all formats on the NEAR network.

Additional Features

HOT Wallet provides extra tools for the NEAR ecosystem, such as RPC switching, Firedrops, an in-app app catalog, and support services. It’s actively updated for safer, more convenient NEAR interactions.

Summary

NEAR Protocol is a fast, scalable blockchain prioritizing user convenience and mass Web3 adoption. HOT Wallet stands as the primary wallet in the NEAR ecosystem, offering deep integrations and extensive features.

With HOT Wallet, access everything NEAR provides — from account creation and token swaps to staking, cross-chain ops, and dApp interactions — all in one seamless interface.

What do you think about NEAR Protocol in 2025–2026? Have you already tried staking, named accounts, or cross-chain swaps inside HOT Wallet? Which feature do you use the most — or which one would you like to see improved?

Drop a comment below