XRP News Today: Grayscale Pushes Chainlink ETF as Crypto's Institutional Bridge Gains Traction

Grayscale has submitted a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a potential spot Chainlink (LINK) exchange-traded fund (ETF), marking the latest step in its expanding lineup of crypto-based ETFs. The proposed fund, a conversion of Grayscale’s existing Chainlink Trust, would offer direct exposure to the price of LINK, the native token of the Chainlink decentralized oracle network. The fund could be listed on NYSE Arca under the ticker GLNK, with Coinbase Custody Trust Company serving as the custodian [1]. If approved, the fund may include a staking component, which could generate additional yield for investors, provided certain regulatory and tax conditions are met. Staking would be carried out via third-party providers while assets remain in custodial wallets, with rewards either retained, sold, or distributed to investors [1].

The Grayscale Chainlink Trust ETF is expected to mirror the structure of the firm’s existing spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, which process share creations and redemptions in cash rather than in-kind. However, the firm has left room for potential future regulatory approval to support in-kind redemptions [1]. This development follows Grayscale’s recent filings for ETFs linked to Avalanche, Dogecoin, Litecoin, Solana, and XRP, expanding the range of digital assets it seeks to bring into the U.S. ETF market [1]. Grayscale’s Bitcoin and Ethereum Trusts were converted into spot ETFs after receiving SEC approval in 2024.

Chainlink, which facilitates secure access to real-world data for smart contracts, has taken steps to support its long-term sustainability. The network recently launched a strategic LINK reserve, funded through onchain and offchain revenue, to further its growth [1]. This move aligns with the growing interest in the platform from institutional investors and ETF providers, who view it as a key infrastructure layer for blockchain applications.

The momentum behind crypto ETFs is intensifying, with multiple asset managers, including 21Shares, Bitwise, Canary Capital, Franklin Templeton, REX Shares, and VanEck, also pursuing SEC approval for spot ETFs tied to various cryptocurrencies. Bitwise, for instance, filed for its own Chainlink ETF earlier this month [1]. The increased activity coincides with a shift in regulatory tone under the Trump administration, with expectations of a more favorable approach to crypto ETF approvals compared to the previous administration.

The broader ETF market has seen explosive growth, with over 640 new ETFs launched this year, according to Morningstar data. As of the latest figures, there are now more than 4,400 ETFs listed in the U.S., surpassing the number of publicly traded companies [3]. Investors have poured over $660 billion into ETFs in the first seven months of the year, underscoring the growing appetite for diversified and specialized investment products [3]. The success of crypto ETFs like Grayscale’s Bitcoin and Ethereum offerings has paved the way for new entrants, including potential Chainlink and XRP ETFs, which may gain regulatory approval in the near term. Grayscale’s XRP Trust, for example, celebrated its first anniversary in September 2025 and has already demonstrated strong performance, with assets under management reaching nearly $17 million [2].

Source:

[1] Grayscale seeks SEC approval to launch spot Chainlink ETF in the US (https://www.theblock.co/post/369788/grayscale-seeks-sec-approval-to-launch-spot-chainlink-etf-in-the-us)

[2] Ripple and Grayscale Celebrate First Birthday: Is XRP ETF Next? (https://cryptopotato.com/ripple-and-grayscale-celebrate-first-birthday-is-xrp-etf-next/)

[3] There are now more ETFs than stocks in the US, and many of them aren't vanilla (https://www.voronoiapp.com/investing/There-are-now-more-ETFs-than-stocks-in-the-US-and-many-of-them-arent-vanilla-6416)