Bitwise Chainlink ETF Approved for NYSE Arca Listing Under CLNK Ticker - Crypto’s Next Institutional Gateway

Wall Street just opened another door to crypto's infrastructure layer.

The Approval That Changes Everything

Bitwise Asset Management secured regulatory clearance for its Chainlink-focused exchange-traded fund, clearing the path for CLNK to trade on NYSE Arca. This marks the first dedicated ETF tracking the oracle network that powers billions in DeFi transactions.

Why This Matters More Than Bitcoin ETFs

While Bitcoin ETFs brought digital gold to traditional portfolios, Chainlink's approval targets crypto's plumbing—the decentralized oracle network feeding real-world data to smart contracts. Institutional investors now get exposure to the infrastructure enabling everything from tokenized assets to insurance contracts.

The Institutional On-Ramp

CLNK's listing bypasses crypto exchange complexities, offering traditional brokers a familiar wrapper for Chainlink exposure. No wallet setups, no private key management—just another ticker on the terminal. The move signals regulators' growing comfort with crypto's utility layer, not just its store-of-value narrative.

Market Mechanics Unveiled

The ETF structure means Bitwise handles custody and compliance headaches while investors track LINK's price movements. Expect traditional finance's favorite game: arbitrage between the ETF and spot markets, plus options and derivatives spinning up within weeks.

The Cynical Take

Wall Street finally found a way to profit from decentralized infrastructure—by centralizing its investment vehicle. The irony's thicker than a prime broker's margin spread.

Chainlink's real-world data feeds now power a traditional finance product. The oracle network just got its most significant validation yet—from the very system it was built to augment.

Bitwise has received approval to list its spot chainlink ETF on NYSE Arca under the ticker CLNK, marking another step forward for crypto-based investment products in U.S. markets. The ETF is expected to launch this week and will allow investors to gain direct exposure to LINK without holding the token themselves.

The approval follows the firm’s recent Form 8-A filing with the U.S. SEC. With around $15 billion in crypto assets under management, Bitwise continues to expand its presence in regulated altcoin ETFs.

Chainlink ETF Fee Structure and Management Details

To encourage early participation, the ETF will offer a full fee waiver for the first three months, covering up to $500 million in assets. After the waiver period, the management fee will be set at 0.34%, in line with similar crypto ETFs.

The fund will be seeded with $2.5 million, equal to 100,000 shares priced at $25 each. Coinbase Custody will safeguard the LINK holdings, while BNY Mellon will handle cash custody, providing institutional-level support for the product.

Although LINK staking is listed as a secondary objective, no timeline has been confirmed. If staking is introduced later, Attestant Ltd. has been named as the preferred provider.

LINK Price Rises After ETF Approval

Following the announcement, chainlink price has shown strong upward movement. LINK has gained over 11% in the past week, trading near $13.86, supported by higher trading volume.

Daily volume increased by nearly 45%, pointing to renewed interest from both retail and institutional traders. Futures data also reflects this trend, with open interest rising to around $665 million, suggesting new positions rather than short-term trades.

LINK Technical Outlook and Resistance Levels

Market analyst Ali Martinez noted that LINK could continue moving higher, with the next key level NEAR $14.63, which marks the upper range of its current trading channel. The price structure remains positive, with no major resistance seen before that level.

Institutional Demand Grows for Chainlink ETFs

Adding to the positive outlook, Grayscale’s Chainlink ETF has reported steady inflows, surpassing $62 million so far. With another spot Chainlink ETF entering the market, institutional exposure to LINK is increasing, which could support continued demand in the coming weeks.