Chainlink Soars 44% as Traders Brace for Explosive ’Round 2’ Rally

Oracle network's token defies gravity—again.

### The Lazarus of Crypto

Chainlink's LINK isn't just rising—it's staging a full-blown resurrection. The 44% surge smells like traders front-running another speculative frenzy, because fundamentals are so 2023.

### DeFi's Favorite Middleman

Price feeds keep pumping while VCs quietly exit. The 'Round 2' chatter suggests Wall Street's algo-traders discovered leverage—just what crypto needed.

Active addresses spike as the token flirts with yearly highs. Smart money? More like smart-ish—most buyers can't explain how oracles work, but they'll happily ride the liquidity wave.

Closing thought: When Chainlink rallies, it's either brilliant infra play or proof markets will pump anything with a whitepaper. Place your bets.

LINK’s Rapid Price Recovery

Over the past seven days, LINK has moved from the low $16 range to over $24, marking one of the strongest performances among top 20 cryptocurrencies. According to data from CoinMarketCap, the token is also up 54% over the past 30 days, outpacing even Ethereum’s (ETH) 57% monthly gains.

Crypto trader Johnny, who boasts more than 860,000 followers on X, noted that LINK looks “ready for round 2” after hitting $24.60, calling it “the most obvious large-cap play” for this cycle. Santiment analytics platform reported that chainlink is experiencing its highest level of bullish sentiment since February 1.

Short Squeeze Potential

The rally could intensify if LINK continues to climb. CoinGlass data indicates that another 6.2% increase — bringing the price to around $25.50 — WOULD put approximately $61 million in short positions at risk of liquidation. This scenario could trigger a short squeeze, pushing prices even higher in a short time frame.

Despite these gains, LINK remains 55% below its May 2021 all-time high of $52.88. Analysts suggest that many holders from the previous bull market may still be waiting to sell at breakeven, potentially creating resistance at higher price levels.

Traders Split on the Next Move

While some traders believe LINK will soon face selling pressure as it nears its old highs, others see the current rally as just the beginning. crypto analyst Miles Deutscher said LINK could be the “winner from the institutionalisation of crypto and the explosive growth of stablecoins, tokenisation, and RWAs (real-world assets).”

He warned that “most people will miss it,” suggesting that institutional adoption could drive long-term growth far beyond current price levels.

Institutional Adoption and Real-World Asset Tokenization

Chainlink’s recent developments have strengthened its position in the institutional crypto space. On Monday, the project revealed a partnership with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), a Fortune 500 company, to bring foreign exchange and precious metals data onchain.

This integration could expand Chainlink’s role in powering decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, enabling more accurate and reliable pricing for tokenized real-world assets. Co-founder Sergey Nazarov has repeatedly emphasized that asset tokenization will accelerate the movement of capital across traditional markets, boosting liquidity in asset classes such as treasuries, equities, private credit, commercial debt, and real estate.

Why Chainlink Matters in the Next Cycle

As a blockchain oracle network, Chainlink plays a critical role in connecting onchain smart contracts with real-world data. Its technology enables everything from decentralized lending protocols to synthetic assets, prediction markets, and tokenized commodities.

With the institutionalization of crypto and the rapid growth of tokenized assets, Chainlink’s infrastructure could become increasingly essential. Analysts argue that this utility could help LINK outperform other large-cap cryptocurrencies that lack similar real-world integrations.

Market Outlook for LINK

Looking ahead, traders are watching several key price levels. If LINK can break and hold above $25.50, it could trigger a wave of liquidations and momentum buying, potentially sending it toward the $30–$35 range in the short term.

However, if the token fails to maintain current levels, a retest of $20–$21 could be possible before the next upward leg. Much will depend on broader market sentiment, Bitcoin’s price trajectory, and macroeconomic conditions.

Caution Amid Optimism

While the excitement around Chainlink is growing, experienced traders caution against overleveraging during volatile moves. The crypto market remains prone to sudden reversals, and LINK’s rapid ascent could invite profit-taking.

Still, with strong fundamentals, high-profile partnerships, and a supportive macro trend for blockchain adoption, Chainlink appears well-positioned for continued growth in the medium to long term.