Bitwise Eyes Institutional Access to LINK
Bitwise Asset Management has made headlines by filing to launch the first-ever U.S. exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused exclusively on Chainlink’s native token, LINK. According to a recent Form S-1 submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the proposed “Bitwise Chainlink ETF” aims to bridge traditional investors with one of crypto’s leading oracle platforms.
The ETF plans to use Coinbase Custody as its designated custodian and offer in-kind creation and redemption, enabling direct transactions involving LINK tokens. Key details, including the fund’s ticker, listing exchange, and management fees, remain undisclosed at this stage.
Regulatory Process Still Ongoing
While the S-1 filing is a major milestone, it does not initiate the SEC’s approval process. Bitwise must still submit Form 19b-4, which kicks off formal regulatory review. The timeline for approval could extend several months depending on market conditions and regulatory scrutiny.
Institutional Interest Could Boost LINK
If approved, the ETF would mark a turning point for Chainlink by making LINK accessible to institutional investors such as pension funds and hedge funds. Analysts suggest that broader access could improve liquidity and demand, potentially influencing LINK’s market performance.
Market reaction was swift. On the day of the filing, LINK’s price rose 5% from an intraday low of $22.94, trading at $24.29 at the time of writing, reflecting growing investor optimism.
Wider Context for Altcoin ETFs
Other altcoin ETFs remain stalled at the SEC, with some delayed until October 2025. This gives the Bitwise filing added weight at a time when institutional interest in crypto is growing.
Chainlink also recently partnered with SBI Holdings in Japan to expand real-world asset tokenization and stablecoin reserve verification.
