In a significant development within the cryptocurrency investment landscape, Bitwise Asset Management has successfully launched the Bitwise Chainlink ETF (ticker: CLNK) on January 14, 2026. This launch adds competitive pressure to the existing Grayscale Chainlink ETF (GLNK), which debuted on December 2, 2025. Since its inception, Grayscale’s ETF has accumulated an impressive $87.5 million in assets under management, indicating strong interest from investors.
Both ETFs are designed to offer investors direct ownership of Chainlink (LINK) tokens and are traded on the NYSE Arca exchange. The recent market movements show LINK trading at around $14.33 with a 24-hour volatility rate of 5.4%, reflecting growing investor engagement. On its launch day, LINK experienced a 5.39% gain, underscoring Chainlink’s status as the dominant oracle platform in the cryptocurrency space, controlling nearly 49% of the oracle market by assets secured.
Bitwise has positioned CLNK with a slightly lower management fee of 0.34%, compared to Grayscale’s 0.35%. To entice early adopters, Bitwise has announced that it will waive the management fee entirely for the first three months on assets up to $500 million. In contrast, Grayscale’s waiver extends until March 2, 2026, or until its assets reach $1 billion. Both companies employ Coinbase Custody Trust Company for the secure holding of LINK tokens.
Bitwise’s Chief Investment Officer, Matt Hougan, emphasized the vital role Chainlink plays in blockchain technology. He described it as essential infrastructure that connects blockchain networks with real-world data, facilitating various applications, including lending platforms and prediction markets, to execute transactions seamlessly.
The competitive ETF landscape reflects a broader trend in the cryptocurrency market, with Bitwise aiming to expand its portfolio. The firm manages over $15 billion in client assets across more than 40 crypto investment products and has recently filed for 11 new crypto ETFs, focusing on altcoins such as Tron and Zcash.
Despite the absence of registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 for both funds, the appetite for exposure to Chainlink remains strong. Chainlink itself has processed more than $27 trillion in transaction value across over 70 blockchains since its launch in 2017, further consolidating its position as a key player in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
As the competition between Grayscale and Bitwise unfolds, both funds are strategic plays for investors looking to capitalize on the growing relevance of Chainlink within the dynamic blockchain landscape.
