Bitwise Asset Management has officially filed for approval to launch the United States’ first spot Chainlink (LINK) exchange-traded fund (ETF) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The filing, made on August 25, 2025, signals growing confidence in alternative blockchain assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. It could bring the world’s leading decentralized oracle token directly to mainstream investors’ portfolios.
Bitwise, already a household name among U.S. digital asset managers, has a history of responding to demand for regulated crypto exposure. The Chainlink ETF proposal comes as the next logical step following the successful launch of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
They have unlocked billions in capital flows from both retail and institutional investors. With Chainlink’s LINK token ranking as the 13th largest cryptocurrency and powering a global network of data oracles valued for smart contract reliability, bringing LINK under the ETF umbrella is a notable leap forward.
The fund, if approved, will physically hold LINK tokens in secure custody via Coinbase Custody Trust and seek to track the daily market movements using the CME CF Chainlink-Dollar Reference Rate. This structure mirrors the efficient and transparent designs that have already proven successful for spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
Why Bitwise Chose Chanlink
Chainlink’s network forms a backbone for decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), gaming, and enterprise data solutions. It connects smart contracts with real-world information. The unstoppable demand for data security, transparency, and blockchain interoperability has made Chainlink indispensable. This is not only for crypto-native platforms but for institutions testing blockchain adoption.
The timing of Bitwise’s filing is critical. Markets have matured to handle a wider range of crypto assets, and U.S. investors are increasingly seeking exposure beyond BTC and ETH. Chainlink ETPs are already live in select European markets, showing global appetite for oracle-based infrastructure investments.
Should the SEC greenlight Bitwise’s spot LINK ETF, a significant wave of institutional and retail inflows could occur. Historical evidence suggests that ETF launches serve as catalysts for asset price appreciation, increased liquidity, and broader market participation.
LINK price currently trades near $23, but growing accessibility via ETFs could enable portfolio managers, retirement accounts, and family offices to allocate to Chainlink with ease, and within regulatory frameworks.
Moreover, the precedent set by a LINK ETF would encourage further filings for other innovative crypto assets, such as Solana, XRP, and Dogecoin, whose applications are also coming down the regulatory pipeline. The race for ETF approvals will shape the investment options available to the next generation of investors.
