Bitcoin News Today:

Chainlink’s native token, LINK, surged approximately 4% to $24.18 in the 24 hours following two major developments: the U.S. government’s partnership with Chainlink to provide real-world data and Bitwise Asset Management’s filing of the first U.S. spot Chainlink ETF with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The price action marked an extension of the token’s broader 26% rally over the past 30 days, despite remaining well below its peak of $53 in May 2021 [2].

Bitwise filed the ETF under a Form S-1 with the SEC, making it the first U.S. firm to seek approval for an ETF that directly holds and tracks the price of Chainlink tokens. The fund, named the Bitwise Chainlink ETF, would be custodied by Coinbase Custody Trust, a well-established crypto custody provider [3]. The proposed fund would utilize an in-kind creation and redemption process, enabling investors to exchange ETF shares for LINK tokens directly, a structure akin to the successful Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs that have been approved earlier this year [3].

The filing represents a potential milestone for institutional and retail investors seeking regulated exposure to Chainlink, a decentralized oracle network that connects blockchain-based smart contracts with off-chain data and systems. Chainlink is used by major financial institutions, central banks, and DeFi protocols such as Aave and Lido. The U.S. government’s recent collaboration with Chainlink to integrate real-world data into its blockchain infrastructure further reinforces the project’s growing institutional acceptance [1].

The Chainlink ETF filing also aligns with broader momentum in the crypto market, as the Trump administration has shown a more favorable stance toward digital assets. This regulatory environment has prompted multiple fund issuers to submit ETF applications for alternative cryptocurrencies. Bitwise, which already manages over $2.7 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, is positioning itself to lead the expansion of crypto-based investment products [2].

While the filing does not yet include details such as the ETF’s ticker symbol, listing venue, or management fee, analysts suggest that approval could significantly boost Chainlink’s liquidity and institutional adoption. Similar to how Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs catalyzed market growth after approval, a greenlight for the Chainlink ETF could attract new capital from pension funds, family offices, and institutional investors seeking exposure to decentralized infrastructure [3]. The immediate post-filing price reaction— LINK rising nearly 5%—signals strong market optimism [4].

Regulatory clarity and growing institutional interest in oracle networks are key factors driving the Chainlink ETF filing. Chainlink’s role in enabling blockchain interoperability and secure data feeds has been pivotal for DeFi platforms and tokenized real-world assets. With ETPs already trading in European markets, Bitwise’s filing underscores the demand for similar products in the U.S., where retail and institutional investors previously had no regulated options for exposure to LINK beyond direct token purchases [3].

Source: [1] Chainlink Price Today (LINK): Live Chart & Data (https://www.gemini.com/prices/chainlink) [2] Bitwise first in line to file for spot Chainlink ETF (https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitwise-first-in-line-to-file-for-spot-chainlink-etf) [3] Bitwise Files for First Spot Chainlink (LINK) ETF With the SEC (https://www.cryptoninjas.net/news/bitwise-files-for-first-spot-chainlink-link-etf-with-the-sec/) [4] Chainlink Jumps 5% After Bitwise Files First-Ever LINK ETF (https://watcher.guru/news/chainlink-jumps-5-after-bitwise-files-first-ever-link-etf)