Why did the price of LINK go up?

Chainlink (LINK) increased by 0.9% in the last 24 hours, building on a 7.2% gain over the past week. This growth is driven by large investors buying more LINK, strategic expansion of the Chainlink ecosystem, and positive technical signals.

1. Large investors, known as whales, purchased over 13 million LINK tokens in two weeks despite a weak market.
2. The Chainlink Reserve bought back 63,481 LINK tokens (worth about $1.15 million) recently.
3. A symmetrical triangle chart pattern suggests LINK could break above $25 soon.
4. Progress on integrating with SWIFT for tokenized funds is increasing confidence among institutional investors.

Deep Dive

1. Whale Accumulation (Positive Sign)

Overview: Wallets holding between 100,000 and 1 million LINK tokens have added 13 million LINK since mid-October, which is about 2% of the total supply, according to Santiment. This buying happened as LINK bounced off a strong support level around $17, where 54.5 million tokens had been previously gathered.

What this means: Large investors are preparing for a price increase by buying more LINK and reducing the number of tokens available on exchanges. In the past, similar buying patterns have led to big price jumps, like the 45% rise to $21 in August.

What to watch: Keep an eye on LINK tokens moving off exchanges, which you can track using the Chainlink Reserve tracker.

2. Chainlink Reserve Buybacks (Positive Sign)

Overview: On October 23, the Chainlink Foundation bought back 63,481 LINK tokens, worth about $1.15 million, using revenue from enterprise partnerships. The total LINK held in reserves is now 586,641 tokens, valued at roughly $10.6 million, according to Yahoo Finance.

What this means: By buying back and holding LINK tokens, the Foundation is reducing the number of tokens available for sale, which can help support the price. Along with the 6% of LINK that is staked (locked up), this lowers selling pressure, which is especially important when trading volumes are low.

3. Technical Breakout Setup (Mixed Outlook)

Overview: LINK’s price is currently forming a symmetrical triangle pattern between $17 and $25. The 7-day simple moving average (SMA) recently crossed above the 200-day SMA, which is often a positive sign. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 46.92, indicating neutral momentum.

What this means: If LINK’s price closes above $25, it could trigger automated buying that targets a price of $53, based on technical analysis tools like the Fibonacci extension. However, if LINK fails to break above the resistance at $19.95 (the high from October 24), it might fall back to support around $16.

Key level to watch: $19.95 – a price point that has historically led to faster rallies, especially in the second quarter of 2025.

Conclusion

The recent rise in LINK’s price reflects strategic buying by large investors and institutions, a reduction in circulating supply through buybacks, and growing optimism about the upcoming SWIFT integration for tokenized funds. While technical indicators show some consolidation, the $17 to $19 range remains a critical zone to maintain upward momentum.

Important event to watch: The Federal Reserve’s rate decision on October 28-29, with a 96.7% chance of a 25 basis point cut, could increase liquidity in the crypto market and potentially support further gains.

What could affect the price of LINK?

Chainlink is balancing strong interest from big institutions with a careful approach to market trends.

1. Tokenized Asset Growth – Real-world assets (RWA) could reach over $30 trillion by 2034, with LINK playing a crucial role in this infrastructure (Positive outlook)
2. ETF Potential – Applications from Bitwise and Grayscale might open the door to more regulated investment money (Uncertain but promising)
3. Supply Changes – Buybacks and large investor activity are reducing available LINK tokens, but risks remain (Mixed effects)

In-Depth Look

1. Institutional Adoption & Tokenization (Positive Outlook)

Summary: Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) has already handled over $2.2 billion in transfers between different blockchains. Partnerships with major organizations like DTCC, S&P Global, and SWIFT position Chainlink as a key player in supporting tokenized assets. The “Tokenized in America” program aims to encourage blockchain use at the state level.

What this means: LINK is used to pay for transactions on CCIP, so as more assets become tokenized, demand for LINK should increase. Experts estimate LINK’s value could grow 4 to 8 times if it captures just 5-10% of the expected $30 trillion real-world asset market by 2030 (CCN).

2. ETF Speculation & Regulatory Risks (Uncertain but Promising)

Summary: Bitwise and Grayscale filed to launch spot ETFs for LINK in late 2025, similar to how Bitcoin ETFs were introduced. However, political disagreements in the Senate over the CLARITY Act, a bill aimed at clarifying crypto regulations, have delayed approval.

What this means: If approved, ETFs could bring in over $1 billion in new investments given LINK’s current $12 billion market value. But ongoing political resistance, especially from some Democrats, could slow progress and keep prices stable for now. Betting markets show the chance of ETF approval in 2025 dropped from 87% to 19% (Cryptonews).

3. Supply Dynamics & Whale Activity (Mixed Effects)

Summary: The Chainlink Reserve has bought back 586,000 LINK tokens (worth about $10.2 million) using protocol revenue. Large investors, or “whales,” accumulated over 13 million LINK in October 2025. Still, with 678 million LINK tokens circulating (about 67.8% of the total supply), there’s a risk of inflation from future token releases.

What this means: Buybacks help reduce the impact of new tokens entering the market, offsetting about 3% of the 7% annual inflation rate. If ETF approval and real-world asset demand continue to grow, the market could tighten further. Futures trading data shows aggressive buying, indicating traders expect a price breakout (Coingape).

Conclusion

Chainlink’s price will likely depend on how quickly real-world adoption grows compared to new tokens being released. ETF approvals could cause significant price swings. Support at $17 (where 54.5 million LINK has been accumulated) offers a strong base, and a weekly close above $25 could confirm a bullish trend targeting $53 to $100.

Will upcoming partnerships with ICE and NYSE data feeds help LINK’s price finally reflect its growing role in institutional finance?

What are people saying about LINK?

The Chainlink community is divided between excitement over a potential breakout and concerns about a price drop. Big investors, known as whales, are buying more LINK tokens, while charts show signs of possible price swings. Here’s what’s happening:

1. Experts disagree on whether LINK will rally to $30 or drop to $10
2. Whales purchased over 8 million LINK in August, showing strong confidence
3. Real-time data services are driving interest from big financial institutions

Deep Dive

1. @cryptoWZRD_: $24 Resistance Battle Mixed

"LINK closed indecisively. Holding above $24.85 = bullish long. Below $23 = bearish scalp."
– @cryptoWZRD (12.3K followers · 58K impressions · 2025-09-07 01:35 UTC)
[View original post](https://x.com/cryptoWZRD/status/1964502688064033160)
What this means: The short-term outlook is uncertain. LINK needs to stay above $24.00 (currently $18.22) to keep a positive trend. If it falls below this level, it could trigger automatic sell orders, pushing the price down further.

2. @ali_charts: Whale Accumulation Bullish

"1.25M LINK bought by whales in 48 hours!"
– @ali_charts (482K followers · 2.1M impressions · 2025-09-02 13:01 UTC)
View original post
What this means: This is a positive sign for the medium term. Large investors now hold 175.91 million LINK tokens, which is 26% of all circulating LINK. This reduces the number of tokens available to sell, which historically has led to price increases—like the 39% rally seen in 2024.

3. Coin Edition: $95 Target Debate Bearish

"Analysts eye $95 via rising triangle pattern, but LINK’s 17% weekly drop contradicts optimism."
– Coin Edition (3.2M monthly readers · 2025-08-10 07:33 UTC)
View original post
What this means: The signals are mixed. Technical analysis suggests LINK could rise to $95, but recent price drops and a low momentum indicator (RSI of 43) show that many investors are doubtful about a quick rebound.

Conclusion

The outlook for Chainlink is mixed. While big investors are accumulating LINK, everyday traders remain cautious. Partnerships with organizations like SWIFT and the SEC Task Force, along with new data products, are strengthening Chainlink’s foundation. However, LINK needs to break above $24 to confirm a positive trend. Also, keep an eye on Bitcoin’s market dominance (currently 59.05%)—if Bitcoin remains strong, it could limit gains for other cryptocurrencies like LINK.

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What is the latest news about LINK?

Chainlink is currently navigating a mix of technical market patterns and regulatory challenges, while large investors (whales) are positioning themselves for potential gains. Here’s the latest update:

1. Symmetrical Triangle Approaching Breakout (October 24, 2025) – Experts are watching $25 as a key price level that could spark upward momentum.
2. Chainlink Reserve Reaches 586,000 LINK (October 24, 2025) – The project is buying back tokens, which reduces the number of LINK coins available on the market.
3. Senate Clarity Act Faces Delays (October 23, 2025) – Regulatory uncertainty continues despite Chainlink’s efforts to influence lawmakers.

In-Depth Look

1. Symmetrical Triangle Approaching Breakout (October 24, 2025)

What’s Happening:
Chainlink’s price is moving within a pattern called a symmetrical triangle, with support around $17 and resistance near $25. This pattern often signals that a big price move is coming. Over 54.5 million LINK tokens have been bought at the $17 level, creating a strong “support wall.” Analysts like Ali Martinez believe that if the price closes above $25, it could lead to a rally toward $53 or even $100 in the long run.

Why It Matters:
This pattern shows a balance between buyers and sellers. If the price breaks above $25, it suggests buyers are taking control, which could lead to higher prices. If it fails, the price might drop back to around $16. Large investors have added 13 million LINK in the past two weeks, indicating confidence in a price increase. (Yahoo Finance)

2. Chainlink Reserve Reaches 586,000 LINK (October 24, 2025)

What’s Happening:
On October 23, the Chainlink Reserve bought 63,481 LINK tokens using revenue from services like CCIP and Data Streams. The total reserve now holds about 586,641 LINK, worth roughly $10.2 million. This is one of the largest single-day increases in the reserve since it started.

Why It Matters:
When the project buys back tokens, it reduces the number of coins available for sale, which can help support the price. This move also shows Chainlink’s commitment to growing its ecosystem. The reserve’s growth aligns with more businesses adopting Chainlink’s technology, including partnerships with big names like J.P. Morgan and Swift. (Coingape)

3. Senate Clarity Act Faces Delays (October 23, 2025)

What’s Happening:
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY), which aims to provide clearer rules for digital assets, is stuck in the Senate. Democrats have rejected deadlines set by Republicans, causing delays. Chainlink’s CEO, Sergey Nazarov, testified in support of the bill, but the chances of it passing in 2025 dropped sharply from 87% to 19%.

Why It Matters:
Uncertainty around regulations can slow down adoption of Chainlink by big institutions, which is important for the coin’s long-term use. However, Chainlink’s active involvement in legislative efforts, like the GENIUS Act, puts it in a good position if lawmakers reach an agreement. (Cryptonews)

Conclusion

Chainlink is balancing positive technical signals and strong investor interest against ongoing regulatory challenges. A price breakout above $25 or progress on the CLARITY Act could drive momentum. The key question is whether Chainlink’s growing adoption by institutions can overcome the risks posed by uncertain regulations in the final quarter of the year.

What is expected in the development of LINK?

Chainlink is making steady progress with these key updates:

1. CCIP Launch (Early 2026) – A new system that lets developers easily move tokens and messages across more than 50 different blockchains without needing special permissions.
2. Data Streams Expansion (Q4 2025) – Faster, real-time data feeds for U.S. stocks, currency pairs, and commodities.
3. Chainlink Reserve Growth (Ongoing) – The protocol is buying LINK tokens using its revenue to support network security and rewards.

In-Depth Look

1. CCIP Launch (Early 2026)

What is it?
Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) is about to go live on the main network after thorough testing. This technology allows developers to move tokens and messages freely across over 50 blockchains. Recent examples include bridging Aave’s GHO stablecoin and adding support for Celo and Gnosis chains.

Why it matters
This is a big positive for LINK because major institutions like DTCC, ANZ, and Swift are adopting CCIP. It positions Chainlink as a key player in managing tokenized assets across blockchains. The main risk is that big companies might take longer than expected to fully adopt this technology.

2. Data Streams Expansion (Q4 2025)

What is it?
Chainlink Data Streams provide fast and reliable data feeds, especially for financial products like derivatives. Soon, these feeds will include major U.S. stocks like Apple (AAPL) and Nvidia (NVDA), as well as popular currency pairs like EUR/USD and JPY/USD, across networks like Arbitrum and Avalanche. For example, GMX V2 on Arbitrum already uses Data Streams to handle $1.3 billion in trading volume securely.

Why it matters
This expansion could increase demand for LINK by tapping into the huge $30 trillion on-chain derivatives market. However, Chainlink faces competition from other data providers like Pyth Network, which also offer high-speed data.

3. Chainlink Reserve Growth (Ongoing)

What is it?
The Chainlink Reserve is an on-chain treasury holding over 523,000 LINK tokens (worth about $9.5 million). These tokens are purchased using fees collected by the protocol and are used to fund network security and staking rewards. There are no plans to sell these tokens.

Why it matters
This creates steady buying pressure for LINK, which can help support its price by reducing the number of tokens available for sale. The Reserve’s activity is transparent and can be tracked on Etherscan, which helps ease concerns about token inflation.

Summary

Chainlink’s roadmap is focused on growing institutional use (with CCIP), expanding its role in financial data (through Data Streams), and maintaining a healthy token economy (via the Reserve). Partnerships like DTCC’s $6.9 billion fund tokenization pilot show LINK’s growing importance as a bridge connecting different blockchain networks.

Will Chainlink’s growing enterprise adoption help it weather the ups and downs of the crypto market in 2026? Keep an eye on CCIP’s fee income and the Reserve’s growth for signs.

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What updates are there in the LINK code base?

Chainlink’s software continues to improve with important updates that make it easier to use across different blockchains and attract more developers.

1. CCIP v1.5 & CCT Standard (September 2025) – Better tools for moving tokens and messages between blockchains.
2. Payment Abstraction Upgrade (October 2025) – Easier for institutions to convert revenue into LINK tokens automatically.
3. Developer Activity Lead (June–July 2025) – Over 360 monthly GitHub updates, more than any competitor.

Deep Dive

1. CCIP v1.5 & CCT Standard (September 2025)

What it is: Chainlink upgraded its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) to version 1.5 and introduced the Cross-Chain Token (CCT) standard. This makes it safer and simpler to transfer tokens across many blockchains.
For example, tokens like Liquity’s BOLD stablecoin and World Chain’s WLD token can now work smoothly on over 50 different blockchains. Instead of relying on risky “bridges” that connect blockchains, Chainlink uses its decentralized oracle network to verify transactions, making transfers more secure.
Why it matters: This upgrade strengthens Chainlink’s role as the go-to platform for big financial institutions like JPMorgan and SWIFT to move digital assets across blockchains. This could speed up the adoption of tokenized assets. (Source)

2. Payment Abstraction Upgrade (October 2025)

What it is: Chainlink’s Reserve program now supports Payment Abstraction, which lets companies automatically convert their off-chain revenue (like UBS’s tokenized fund pilot) into LINK tokens.
Institutions can pay fees using stablecoins or their own tokens, which are then programmatically swapped into LINK, increasing the Reserve balance (currently 417,000 LINK).
Why it matters: While this doesn’t immediately impact LINK’s price, it’s positive long-term. It encourages institutions to use LINK more, which could reduce the pressure to sell LINK tokens. (Source)

3. Developer Activity Lead (June–July 2025)

What it is: Chainlink had over 360 significant updates on GitHub each month during June and July 2025, nearly twice as many as its closest competitor, according to Santiment.
Most updates focused on improving oracle scalability with the Multistream architecture and optimizing the Decentralized Oracle Network (DON), including the new Off-Chain Reporting v3 (OCR3) for faster data processing.
Why it matters: High developer activity shows strong confidence in Chainlink’s future and lowers the risk of the project losing momentum. This is a positive sign for LINK’s long-term value. (Source)

Conclusion

Chainlink is making important progress in connecting different blockchains, integrating with big institutions, and improving its oracle technology. Even though LINK’s price has dropped about 25% in the last 60 days due to broader market trends, Chainlink remains a leader in bridging decentralized finance (DeFi) and traditional finance (TradFi). The big question is whether CCIP will grow faster than competitors like LayerZero as the market for tokenized assets surpasses $2 trillion.