Chainlink Poised for First ETF as Bitwise Files with SEC - Crypto’s Institutional Leap

Chainlink's oracle network hits a monumental milestone—Bitwise just dropped the paperwork for what could become the first-ever Chainlink ETF.

Why Traders Are Buzzing

This isn't just another filing. An ETF would thrust Chainlink into the mainstream financial arena, offering investors a regulated, familiar vehicle to gain exposure without holding the actual crypto. Think of it as Wall Street's stamp of approval on decentralized oracle networks.

The Ripple Effect on LINK

Expect liquidity to surge. Institutional money—often sidelined by custody concerns—now has a clear path in. That typically fuels demand, tightens supply, and yes, often pumps the price. Past crypto ETF launches have shown that pattern play out repeatedly.

Bitwise's Strategic Play

They're not just betting on Chainlink—they're betting on the entire infrastructure narrative. Oracles are the silent backbone of DeFi, and Chainlink dominates that space. This move signals a deeper institutional recognition that value isn't only in currencies; it's in the pipes that make them work.

A cynical take? Finance finally understands something when it can be wrapped in a ticker and traded through a broker. Innovation meets inertia—and for once, innovation might just win.

— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) August 26, 2025

Structure and Benchmark

The proposed ETF WOULD be organized as a, the same legal structure used by commodity-backed ETFs such as those tied to gold. At this early stage, neither a ticker symbol nor a listing exchange has been disclosed.

The fund aims to provide investors withthrough physical replication. Its net asset value (NAV) would be calculated daily using the, published at 4:00 p.m. EST by FCA-regulated, a trusted provider already used in other crypto ETPs.

The filing specifies that the Trust will not be registered under the, nor classified as a commodity pool under theframework, aligning it with gold-backed ETF regulations.

Coinbase as Custodian

All LINK tokens for the fund would be securely stored by, a New York–based custodian already well-established in the crypto ETF sector. Custody would be supported by private insurance but remain outside FDIC coverage, consistent with industry standards.

Creation and redemption of ETF shares would occur in blocks of, with flexibility for both in-kind transfers of LINK and cash transactions. Onlycould carry out these operations, and fees would apply to maintain alignment with the NAV.

One crucial detail remains unspecified: the. Currently listed as “0.__%” in the preliminary filing, the sponsor fee will be charged in LINK transferred from the Trust’s holdings. The final rate will be key in determining the product’s competitiveness against rival offerings.

Regulatory Path Ahead

The SEC will now review the S-1 filing and may request amendments before granting approval. Additionally, if the targeted exchange requires it, awill also need to be cleared to authorize trading—similar to the path taken by other recent crypto ETFs on NYSE Arca.

Regulatory conditions have eased slightly in recent months. Since, the SEC has allowed in-kind creations and redemptions for crypto ETPs, aligning them more closely with commodity ETF operations. While not a guarantee of approval, the policy change streamlines logistics should Bitwise’s filing succeed.

If approved, the ETF would open, a critical infrastructure token in the blockchain ecosystem. Institutional investors in particular would gain a regulated vehicle to allocate capital to LINK, potentially boosting liquidity and reducing price discrepancies through arbitrage.

In the event of dissolution, the Trust would liquidate its LINK holdings and distribute the proceeds in U.S. dollars.

As of, no Chainlink ETF is listed in the U.S. With Bitwise now formally in the race, the launch ultimately hinges on the SEC’s timeline.  It could be a good news for the LINK token, which has finally broken out of the 6-month consolidation pattern it was trading in.

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