Chainlink’s Leap into Regulated Finance: First U.S. LINK ETF Filed

Bitwise Asset Management has filed Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the Bitwise Chainlink (LINK) Exchange-Traded Fund, marking the first U.S.-based spot ETF proposed specifically for the Chainlink token. The filing, if approved, would allow investors to gain direct exposure to LINK through traditional brokerage accounts without the need for custody or private keys. This development comes amid growing momentum for regulated digital asset investment vehicles and highlights the increasing institutional interest in blockchain infrastructure projects.

The proposed fund is designed to track the performance of a single digital asset, the Chainlink (LINK) token, which is widely used in decentralized oracle networks. LINK’s role in connecting blockchain platforms with real-world data sources has positioned it as a critical infrastructure component for decentralized finance (DeFi) and other blockchain-based applications. The Bitwise Chainlink ETF would offer investors a transparent and regulated means of accessing a token that has seen significant on-chain activity and smart money accumulation in recent weeks.

The filing follows similar initiatives by other firms, including Canary Capital’s recent submission for the American-Made Crypto ETF, which also includes Chainlink as a key constituent. Canary’s fund focuses on U.S.-built and U.S.-operated digital assets, and Chainlink’s inclusion reflects its strong ties to American technology ecosystems and its foundational role in U.S.-based smart contract platforms. Chainlink, which was founded by a U.S.-based team, has expanded its infrastructure to support major American institutions and cloud platforms, enhancing its relevance in the domestic blockchain landscape.

The broader market context is also favorable for a potential LINK ETF. Recent data shows that smart money investors have been accumulating LINK, with $1.4 million worth of tokens purchased by tracked addresses in the last seven days alone. Chainlink’s recent price action, including a golden cross on technical indicators and a breakout toward key resistance levels, has also drawn attention from analysts. While price predictions should not be treated as guarantees, the token’s fundamentals and increasing adoption across regulated sectors suggest potential for continued growth.

The filing of a spot LINK ETF represents a strategic milestone for both Bitwise and the broader crypto market. It aligns with the SEC’s ongoing evaluation of spot crypto ETFs and could serve as a catalyst for greater mainstream adoption of blockchain infrastructure tokens. If approved, the fund would enable institutional and retail investors to participate in Chainlink’s ecosystem without the complexities of direct digital asset ownership. It also underscores the industry’s shift toward regulated, transparent investment vehicles for digital assets that underpin modern financial systems.

Source: [1] Canary Capital Files for American-Made Crypto ETF (https://coincentral.com/canary-capital-files-for-american-made-crypto-etf/) [2] Chainlink Price Prediction: Is LINK a Buy as Experts Accumulate (https://www.banklesstimes.com/articles/2025/08/23/chainlink-price-prediction-is-link-a-buy-as-experts-accumulate/)