What is expected in the development of LINK?
Chainlink is making significant progress with these key developments:
- CCIP General Availability (Early 2025) – A new system that allows seamless messaging and token transfers across different blockchains without needing permission.
- Data Streams Expansion (Q4 2025) – Faster and more detailed data feeds for stocks, commodities, and foreign exchange markets.
- Proof of Reserve for RWAs (2025) – Improved transparency for tokenized real-world assets like bonds and real estate.
In-Depth Look
1. CCIP General Availability (Early 2025)
What is it?
Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) is moving from a testing phase to full release. This technology lets developers create decentralized apps (dApps) that work across multiple blockchains, enabling automatic token transfers and data sharing between public and private networks. Recently, CCIP has been integrated with blockchains like Solana and Base, and partnered with organizations such as DTCC to help settle tokenized assets.
Why it matters
This development could increase demand for Chainlink’s services in decentralized finance (DeFi), traditional finance (TradFi), and asset tokenization. However, there are challenges, including competition from other blockchain bridges and potential delays in adoption by large companies.
2. Data Streams Expansion (Q4 2025)
What is it?
Chainlink’s Data Streams, which currently provide real-time data for cryptocurrencies and forex, will soon include U.S. stocks like Apple (AAPL) and Nvidia (NVDA), as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The upgrade will offer advanced data formats such as OHLC candlestick charts and volatility measures, which are important for trading platforms and financial products.
Why it matters
This expansion strengthens Chainlink’s role in providing reliable financial data on the blockchain, especially for institutional investors. The total value secured (TVS) by Chainlink’s network is expected to grow by 50% to $89 billion in 2025, showing increased trust in its infrastructure.
3. Proof of Reserve for RWAs (2025)
What is it?
Chainlink’s Proof of Reserve (PoR) system is being enhanced to verify the collateral behind tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) like Treasury bills and real estate. Partnerships with companies like Apex Group and Backed Finance aim to create standardized audits for these assets.
Why it matters
Trust in the backing of tokenized assets is a major hurdle for wider adoption. By providing transparent collateral verification, Chainlink could become a key player in the $16 trillion market for tokenized real-world assets. Regulatory challenges remain, but this is a crucial step forward.
Conclusion
Chainlink’s roadmap focuses on expanding its use in traditional finance by enabling cross-chain communication (CCIP), delivering high-quality financial data (Data Streams), and supporting real-world asset tokenization (Proof of Reserve). With partnerships involving major players like J.P. Morgan, SWIFT, and ICE, Chainlink is well-positioned to connect traditional finance with decentralized finance.
The big question: Will faster enterprise adoption lead to steady demand for LINK tokens?
What updates are there in the LINK code base?
Chainlink is making big strides in building tools that help different blockchains work together, support developers, and grow its network.
- CRE Launch (August 2025) – The Chainlink Runtime Environment makes it easier to build apps that work across multiple blockchains.
- CCT Standard Expansion (July–September 2025) – The Cross-Chain Token standard is now used on over 10 blockchains.
- U.S. Macro Data Integration (August 2025) – Chainlink added important U.S. government economic data to its information feeds.
Deep Dive
1. Chainlink Runtime Environment Launch (August 2025)
What it is: The Chainlink Runtime Environment (CRE) is like a decentralized operating system for blockchain apps. It lets developers use familiar programming languages like JavaScript and Go to build applications that work across different blockchains without worrying about the technical details of each one.
CRE combines Chainlink’s services—like price data, messaging between blockchains, and compliance checks—into one platform. For example, JPMorgan used CRE in a test project to settle transactions between private and public blockchains smoothly.
Why it matters: This is great news for Chainlink (LINK) because it makes it easier for big companies to use blockchain technology. Developers can focus on building their apps instead of dealing with complex infrastructure.
(Source)
2. Cross-Chain Token Standard Adoption (July–September 2025)
What it is: The Cross-Chain Token (CCT) standard has been adopted by more than 27 projects across blockchains like Solana, Base, and World Chain. This allows projects like Maple Finance and Falcon Stable to move over $19 billion in assets between blockchains securely.
Chainlink’s CCIP protocol supports these transfers, ensuring tokens and messages move safely across different networks. For example, the WLD token on World Chain now uses CCT to work across multiple blockchains.
Why it matters: This development strengthens Chainlink’s position in blockchain interoperability. While it’s a positive step, the long-term impact depends on how much value is moved using these standards.
(Source)
3. U.S. Macroeconomic Data Onchain (August 2025)
What it is: Chainlink has added six key economic indicators from the U.S. Department of Commerce—like GDP and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index—to its data feeds, available on more than 10 blockchains.
This required new technology to handle government data formats and update schedules, which can be monthly or quarterly. Now, developers can create decentralized finance (DeFi) products that react to real-world economic trends.
Why it matters: This broadens Chainlink’s use cases beyond just cryptocurrency markets. It attracts traditional financial institutions looking for compliant ways to access economic data on blockchain.
(Source)
Conclusion
Chainlink is evolving from just a data provider to becoming the “TCP/IP layer” of blockchain—meaning it’s the essential infrastructure that connects different blockchains, real-world data, and institutional systems. With the CRE making development easier and new economic data attracting traditional finance users, the big question is: will LINK’s usefulness grow faster than the number of coins available?
Why did the price of LINK fall?
Chainlink (LINK) dropped 0.6% in the last 24 hours to $22.26, underperforming the overall crypto market, which rose 1.7%. This pullback follows a strong 7-day rally of nearly 7% and hits some technical resistance. Key points to know:
- Technical Pullback – LINK’s price hit resistance around $22.75 and showed signs of weakening momentum.
- Increased Leverage Trading – Kraken now offers 10x margin trading on LINK, which can increase short-term price swings.
- Bitcoin’s Strength – Bitcoin’s recent 4% price jump attracted investment away from altcoins like LINK during a generally optimistic market phase known as "Uptober."
Deep Dive
1. Technical Resistance & Profit-Taking (Short-Term Bearish)
LINK’s price struggled near the $22.75 level, which is a key technical point called the 50% Fibonacci retracement, and also near its 30-day average price of $22.82. Indicators like the MACD show that upward momentum is weakening.
What this means: After a strong 37% gain over the past 60 days, many traders took profits, causing the price to pause. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is neutral, suggesting the price is consolidating rather than trending strongly. The $21.13 level is an important support point—if LINK falls below this, it could lead to further declines.
Watch for: If LINK closes above $22.75, it might regain upward momentum. But dropping below $21.13 could trigger stop-loss orders and more selling.
2. Margin Trading Risks (Mixed Effects)
Kraken recently introduced 10x leverage for LINK trading, meaning traders can borrow up to 10 times their investment to increase potential gains—or losses.
What this means: While leverage can boost buying power, it also increases the chance of forced selling if prices move against traders. The current funding rate is balanced, indicating equal pressure from buyers and sellers, but open interest (the total number of active contracts) rose by over 10%, hinting at increased volatility ahead.
3. Bitcoin’s Market Strength (Negative for Altcoins)
Bitcoin’s price jumped 4% to $119,450, reaching a 7-week high and increasing its share of the total crypto market to 58.17%.
What this means: Investors often move money into Bitcoin during uncertain times or when expecting interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. This shift can pull funds away from altcoins like LINK. However, the Altcoin Season Index remains high, meaning altcoins still have strong support overall, limiting how far LINK might fall.
Conclusion
LINK’s recent price drop seems to be a short-term reaction to technical resistance, increased margin trading risks, and Bitcoin’s temporary strength—not a sign of any fundamental problems. Chainlink continues to build strong partnerships, including with SWIFT, and has a large amount of value secured on its network ($93 billion), supporting its long-term outlook.
Key levels to watch: Can LINK hold above $21.13 support while Bitcoin stabilizes? If LINK can push back above $23.41, it may signal a return to upward momentum.
What are people saying about LINK?
Chainlink’s community is divided between hopes for a price breakout and concerns about a possible pullback as LINK trades near important levels. Here’s the summary:
- A $52 price target is gaining attention after a reserve purchased $1 million worth of tokens.
- $24.50 resistance is a key level as traders watch for bullish patterns called pennants.
- Warnings of a bearish divergence have appeared, signaling some large holders may be taking profits.
Deep Dive
1. @johnmorganFL: Positive institutional momentum
“Chainlink Price Targets $30 After Institutional Boost and Buyback Program”
– 46.2K followers · 892K impressions · August 11, 2025, 17:50 UTC
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What this means: This is a positive sign for LINK. When institutions buy back tokens, it reduces the number of coins available, which can support the price. Partnerships, like a recent deal in Turkey, also help increase Chainlink’s adoption.
2. @cryptoWZRD_: Mixed short-term signals
“LINK closed indecisively… Bitcoin’s sentiment drives next move”
– 28.7K followers · 415K impressions · September 6, 2025, 01:39 UTC
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What this means: The short-term outlook is uncertain. LINK faces resistance at $24.85 and support at $23. The overall market mood, especially Bitcoin’s dominance, will influence LINK’s price movement.
3. @ali_charts: Possible correction ahead
“A dip to $20 could be the gift entry before LINK surges to $50”
– 189K followers · 1.2M impressions · September 3, 2025, 16:03 UTC
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What this means: There might be a short-term drop of about 11% to around $20 before a strong upward move. This is based on technical indicators like RSI divergence, which suggest a temporary correction before a bigger rally.
Conclusion
Opinions on Chainlink are mixed right now. There’s potential for a breakout, but some signs warn the price might be overextended. The $24.50 resistance level is important to watch. LINK has gained 73% over the past 90 days, indicating possible volatility ahead. Pay attention to the $21.04 volume profile level—if the price falls below this, it could confirm a correction. On the other hand, sustained buying above $24 might confirm a bullish pattern called the cup-and-handle, with a target above $30.
What is the latest news about LINK?
Chainlink is gaining momentum as more institutions adopt its technology, and technical indicators suggest a positive trend. Here are the key updates:
- RAAC Adds $200M Gold to DeFi (October 2, 2025) – Chainlink partners to secure tokenized gold reserves, expanding real-world assets in decentralized finance.
- Kraken Expands LINK Margin Trading (October 2, 2025) – Margin trading for LINK now offers up to 10x leverage, increasing trading options and liquidity.
- SWIFT Integration Goes Live (October 1, 2025) – Banks can now initiate on-chain fund transfers using standard ISO 20022 messages through Chainlink’s new interface.
Deep Dive
1. RAAC Adds $200M Gold to DeFi (October 2, 2025)
Overview: RAAC, a project built on Chainlink, teamed up with I-ON Digital to tokenize $200 million worth of gold. This makes RAAC the 15th-largest protocol for real-world assets (RWA) by total value locked (TVL). They introduced pmUSD, a stablecoin backed by gold, which can be used in DeFi to earn yields. Chainlink’s proof-of-reserves technology ensures transparency and trust in the gold backing.
What this means: This is a positive development for Chainlink (LINK) because it strengthens its role in connecting traditional finance assets like gold with decentralized finance platforms. By bringing gold liquidity into DeFi, Chainlink’s oracle services become more valuable, especially in markets with strict regulatory requirements. (Decrypt)
2. Kraken Expands LINK Margin Trading (October 2, 2025)
Overview: Kraken, a major cryptocurrency exchange, increased the margin trading leverage for LINK from 2x to 10x. This puts LINK alongside other popular coins like ADA and AVAX in terms of trading options. Kraken also set position limits for new listings such as WLD and WLFI. LINK is now part of Kraken’s extensive margin market, which includes over 230 assets.
What this means: This update is neutral to slightly positive for LINK. While higher leverage can lead to more price swings in the short term, it also improves liquidity and trading flexibility. Kraken’s move shows confidence in LINK’s market stability and reflects growing interest in altcoin derivatives. (Coinspeaker)
3. SWIFT Integration Goes Live (October 1, 2025)
Overview: Chainlink launched a new interface that allows banks to execute tokenized fund transfers using the existing ISO 20022 messaging standard. This system was tested in a pilot program with UBS. It automates compliance checks through Chainlink’s Digital Transfer Agent technology.
What this means: This is a strong positive for LINK’s use in traditional finance. By reducing operational hurdles for banks, Chainlink is positioning itself as essential infrastructure for the $100 trillion fund industry’s move to blockchain technology. (Yahoo Finance)
Conclusion
Chainlink is strengthening its position as a key link between traditional finance and decentralized finance. The addition of gold tokenization, banking integrations, and improved market infrastructure are driving wider adoption. Technical analysis points to potential price targets between $24 and $27, but regulatory compliance and institutional interest will play a major role in LINK’s future growth.
Will SWIFT’s established network speed up blockchain adoption in global finance?
What could affect the price of LINK?
Chainlink’s price depends on how widely it’s adopted, its reserve strategy, and overall market trends.
- Institutional adoption – Partnerships with SWIFT and traditional finance pilots increase real-world use.
- Strategic buybacks – Chainlink Reserve uses revenue to buy back $LINK, adding buying pressure.
- Whale accumulation – Large holders are buying over 8 million $LINK monthly, reducing available supply on exchanges.
Deep Dive
1. Enterprise Blockchain Adoption (Positive for Price)
Overview:
Chainlink is working with SWIFT, which handles $3.7 quadrillion in transactions yearly, and UBS, which is testing tokenized funds. This allows banks to use blockchain technology with their current systems. A new standard called ISO 20022-compliant DTA helps automate managing funds in the $100 trillion global fund industry (Yahoo Finance).
What this means:
If just 1% of traditional financial assets move to systems secured by Chainlink, demand for $LINK could rise significantly. The network’s Total Value Secured (TVS) reached $66 billion in September 2025, up 164% year-to-date, which directly increases fees paid to the network.
2. Chainlink Reserve Mechanics (Mixed Effects)
Overview:
Chainlink’s on-chain treasury takes half of its revenue from enterprise and DeFi sources and uses it to buy $LINK tokens. Since August 2025, it has bought over $8.3 million worth. The Payment Abstraction feature lets fees be converted from any currency into $LINK (Chainlink X).
What this means:
This creates steady buying pressure of about $2 million per month based on current revenue. However, the foundation still holds 342.5 million $LINK tokens. If these tokens are released too quickly, it could reduce the positive impact of the buybacks.
3. Whale Sentiment & Technicals (Neutral to Positive)
Overview:
Large investors (“whales”) bought 8 million $LINK (about $180 million) in September 2025. Meanwhile, the amount of $LINK held on exchanges is at a two-year low. The price is holding above a key support level at $20.11, with resistance around $25.64 (Crypto.News).
What this means:
The 100-day exponential moving average (EMA) at $21.79 is acting as support. If the price breaks above $24.50 and stays there, it could trigger automated buying from new Chainlink margin products on the CME exchange (Coinspeaker).
Conclusion
Chainlink’s price is supported by growing enterprise use but could face challenges if large holders sell off tokens too quickly. The $20 to $22 price range is crucial. Continued institutional activity through CCIP transactions and potential ETF approvals could push prices toward $27 to $30.
The key question: Will Chainlink Reserve’s buybacks keep pace with institutional token unlocks throughout 2026?