Chainlink (LINK) is currently trading at $9.855, testing the upper boundary of the Keltner Channel, which is positioned at $10.132. A daily close above this level would signify the first significant technical indication of a potential trend reversal since the downward trajectory began in September 2025. Recent developments in the crypto space have amplified the importance of this resistance level.
Having reached a peak around $28 in September 2025, Chainlink has struggled since then, with the Keltner Channel contracting since February. The daily chart shows the price now challenging the upper band from below. Key moving averages remain above the current price, including the 20-day EMA at $9.237, the 50-day EMA at $9.631, the 100-day at $10.985, and the 200-day at $13.027. A close above $10.132 could serve as a critical catalyst for future price movements.
The Keltner Channel’s critical levels are as follows:
– Lower band: $8.341
– Midline: $9.237
– Upper band (resistance): $10.132
– 100-day EMA: $10.985
– 200-day EMA: $13.027
This week, Chainlink gained attention due to a significant institutional deployment. EPOCH Digital Credit rolled out its TreasuryPlus on March 18, a tokenized private credit fund that leverages Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) and SmartData for enhanced cross-chain functionality. This initiative spans multiple platforms, including Ethereum, Solana, and Stellar, with Ascent Fund Services facilitating traditional fund administration. EPOCH has executed nearly $9 billion in receivables without defaults, and the fund is designed to accept fiat and stablecoin subscriptions from regions including Singapore, Hong Kong, the U.S., U.K., Europe, and the UAE. This new deployment represents a shift from simply integrating technology to generating direct revenue for the Chainlink protocol.
In a separate discussion, a notable debate has arisen regarding Chainlink and Ripple (XRP). Chainlink’s Zach Rynes criticized XRP, dubbing it an “obsolete ghost chain” with a minimal market share. He questioned the validity of the ecosystem’s claims that XRP would become a global reserve currency and highlighted Ripple’s recent $750 million share buyback, suggesting it was funded by XRP token sales. This perspective sparked a strong rebuttal from Ripple’s CTO, who deemed the argument unsound, and an XRP community member who contended that Chainlink’s value proposition isn’t essential. Rynes defended Chainlink by noting weekly buybacks funded by protocol revenue, contrasting with XRP’s approach.
Despite the rivalry, it’s noteworthy that Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin utilizes Chainlink’s price feeds, suggesting an underlying relationship between the two projects at the leadership level, while the community contentions continue to be vocal. Currently, XRP’s market capitalization stands at $91 billion, hugely eclipsing LINK’s $7 billion valuation. However, Chainlink has seen a more significant downturn from its peak, experiencing an 81% decline compared to XRP’s 59%.
The prevailing outlook for Chainlink hinges upon its ability to secure a close above $10.132, which would not only break the upper band of the Keltner Channel but also potentially target the 100-day EMA at $10.985. Conversely, a rejection at this level could lead the token back to the $9.237 midline, and a breach below the lower band at $8.341 could result in new multi-year lows for Chainlink.
As always, readers and investors are encouraged to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before making financial decisions. The information provided is intended for educational purposes and should not be considered as financial advice.
