Chainlink’s recent surge to $18.60 has drawn significant attention following its partnership with S&P Global Ratings, a move poised to revolutionize the assessment of stablecoins. This collaboration aims to provide over 2,400 financial institutions with standardized risk metrics for stablecoins, utilizing Chainlink’s innovative on-chain infrastructure known as DataLink.
While Chainlink’s price rose from $18.22 earlier in the trading session, it is important to note that the token remains down 5% in the past 24 hours and has seen an 18% decline over the past week, reflecting broader market weakness affecting cryptocurrencies.
S&P Global’s initiative marks a pivotal moment, as it will publish its stablecoin risk evaluations directly on blockchain platforms for the first time, making them accessible through decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and smart contracts. Chuck Mounts, the Chief DeFi Officer at S&P Global, highlighted the firm’s commitment to integrating trusted risk benchmarks within blockchain technology, with the initial phase of these assessments launching on the Base network. Expansion to additional networks is planned based on market demand.
The context of this partnership becomes clearer considering that the stablecoin market has surpassed $300 billion in total value. By providing on-chain assessments of credit, market, and custody risks for stablecoins, S&P Global aims to enhance transparency and foster adoption within regulated financial environments.
Market analyst Ali Martinez expressed optimism regarding Chainlink’s future, suggesting that the cryptocurrency may rally towards $100 following the recent breakout from a symmetrical triangle pattern that has been developing since 2022. This pattern indicates potential support near $15 and resistance around $21. Martinez previously pointed to $20 as a critical support level that could lead to a rise toward $47, with further potential targets including $37, $55, and ultimately $100 upon confirming a breakout past the $21 barrier.
Sergey Nazarov, co-founder of Chainlink, stated that this partnership enables major institutions to adopt stablecoins on a larger scale. S&P Global Ratings stands as one of the most trusted credit rating agencies for numerous banks, asset managers, and governments, strengthening the institutional credibility of stablecoin use.
Chainlink itself has experienced considerable success, processing over $25 trillion in transactions over the last five years and securing nearly $100 billion in total value locked within DeFi protocols. The collaboration with S&P Global further broadens Chainlink’s impressive roster of partnerships, which includes industry giants such as Swift, Euroclear, J.P. Morgan, Fidelity, UBS, and Mastercard.
S&P Global has been actively expanding its presence in the DeFi space since it launched its first cryptocurrency index series in May 2021, subsequently establishing a dedicated DeFi group in May 2022. The company unveiled its Stablecoin Stability Assessments framework in December 2023, and it assigned its first credit rating to a DeFi protocol in August 2025 for Sky Protocol.
Despite current market challenges, the recent partnership between Chainlink and S&P Global has provided a temporary boost to LINK’s price. Chart patterns indicate consolidation around $18.60 following recovery from its recent low of $18.22. The integration of S&P Global’s analytical risk assessments will be significant for lending platforms, DeFi protocols, and institutional investors, allowing them to automate decision-making processes. The on-chain evaluations are expected to facilitate real-time access to stability assessments within blockchain infrastructures.
Looking ahead, S&P Global has indicated plans to extend its services to additional networks based on client feedback and market needs. Recent developments also include collaborations such as those with Centrifuge to license the S&P 500 Index and the upcoming launch of the S&P Digital Markets 50 Index, combining cryptocurrencies with crypto-linked equities.
