On January 6, a document circulated on social media suggesting that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had approved Bitwise’s Chainlink ETF. This claim sparked a flurry of market speculation. However, a closer examination of the filing revealed that it lacked formal SEC approval. Instead, Bitwise had submitted an amended Form S-1, continuing through the necessary steps for Exchange Act registration.
The ETF’s shares received approval for listing by NYSE Arca and were registered under Form 8-A, but trading can only commence after the SEC declares the S-1 effective. Despite this, the announcement fueled excitement, with Bitwise proposing a 0% management fee for the first three months on assets up to $500 million. This news coincided with a 12% increase in Chainlink’s price, indicating that market interest surged in response to the updated information rather than regulatory approval.
In terms of institutional interest, the Chainlink ETF recorded $2.24 million in inflows, further highlighting the trend of institutions reducing their LINK coin holdings. This influx of capital suggests a growing confidence in Chainlink’s decentralized oracle network and its potential within the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector.
Regarding developer engagement, Chainlink led the DeFi space with 191 contributions from developers, showcasing the increasing adoption of its technology in decentralized applications. The cumulative fees generated by Chainlink also exceeded $6.9 million, underscoring strong market confidence in its long-term utility. The continued growth in developer activity and fees strengthens the narrative surrounding LINK’s future growth potential.
From a technical perspective, Chainlink is nearing a critical resistance area between $15 and $16. Analysts suggest that if this resistance is breached, a rally towards $20 could ensue, potentially unlocking levels as high as $27. Key technical indicators, including the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), hint at the possibility of significant growth if the resistance is surpassed.
As resistance levels approach, the coming days are pivotal for Chainlink. The market will be watching closely to see whether LINK can sustain its upward momentum or if it will experience a short-term setback.
In conclusion, the speculation surrounding Bitwise’s ETF filing has reshaped sentiment regarding Chainlink, even in the absence of final regulatory clearance. Should the positive momentum continue, traders are likely to focus more on market structures, capital flows, and sustainable trends rather than solely on headlines.

