Chainlink Inches Toward Mainstream: Bitwise Files First U.S. Spot ETF with Coinbase Custody
Chainlink (LINK) just took its biggest step yet toward Wall Street. Bitwise has filed with the SEC for the first U.S. spot Chainlink ETF, investing directly in LINK tokens and using Coinbase Custody for security.
Chainlink’s Wall Street Moment: Bitwise Files Spot ETF
The next wave of crypto ETFs is here—and it’s starting with Chainlink.
Bitwise, one of the most respected names in digital asset management, has officially submitted an S-1 registration to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a spot Chainlink ETF—a fund that would hold actual LINK tokens, not futures or derivatives.
This is a landmark moment.
If approved, it would be:
✅ The first spot Chainlink ETF in the U.S.
✅ A regulated gateway for pensions, 401(k)s, and retail investors
✅ A massive validation of Chainlink’s role in Web3 infrastructure
And it signals that altcoin ETFs are no longer speculative—they’re inevitable.
How the Bitwise Chainlink ETF Will Work
The proposed fund is built on the same model as Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Structure | Spot ETF – holds real LINK tokens |
| Custodian | Coinbase Custody Trust Company (audited, insured) |
| Shares | Issued and redeemed in cash (like BTC/ETH ETFs) |
| Ticker & Exchange | Not yet disclosed |
| Staking | Not included in filing, but SEC has greenlit staking ETFs before |
By using Coinbase Custody, Bitwise ensures institutional-grade security—a key requirement for SEC approval.
While the filing doesn’t mention staking rewards, the SEC has previously allowed Grayscale and BlackRock to offer staking in ETFs—so future updates could unlock yield for investors.
Market Reaction: LINK Jumps 4.02%
In the hours after the news:
- LINK price surged 4.02% to $18.90
- Trading volume spiked 60% on Binance and Coinbase
- Social mentions on X (Twitter) rose 210%
This isn’t just hype.
It’s narrative acceleration.
Investors are pricing in:
- Higher institutional demand
- Reduced volatility via ETF flows
- Long-term legitimacy
And with Bitwise’s strong regulatory track record, odds of approval are rising.
Why This Matters: Chainlink Is the Glue of Web3
Chainlink isn’t just another altcoin.
It’s critical infrastructure.
As the leading decentralized oracle network, Chainlink:
- Feeds real-world data into smart contracts
- Secures $50B+ in DeFi value via price feeds
- Powers RWA tokenization, AI agents, and insurance dApps
Without Chainlink, most DeFi protocols wouldn’t function.
Now, a regulated ETF could bring this foundational asset to:
- Wealth managers
- Pension funds
- Mainstream investors who don’t want to manage wallets
It’s not just about price.
It’s about adoption at scale.
The Bigger Trend: Altcoin ETFs Are Coming
Bitwise isn’t alone.
The floodgates are opening:
- Grayscale filed to convert its AVAX Trust into a spot ETF
- 21Shares already offers a Chainlink ETP in Europe with $49.5M AUM
- Bloomberg analysts now give 95% odds to Solana, XRP, and DOGE ETFs
The message is clear:
After Bitcoin and Ethereum, Chainlink is next.
And if LINK gets approved, ADA, DOT, LINK, and AVAX could follow in rapid succession.
Final Takeaway: The Oracle of Wall Street Is Knocking
| Milestone | Status |
|---|---|
| Bitcoin ETF | ✅ Approved (2024) |
| Ethereum ETF | ✅ Approved (2024) |
| Chainlink ETF | 📄 S-1 Filed (2025) |
| Solana/XRP ETFs | 🔁 Under Review |
Bitwise’s filing isn’t a guarantee.
The SEC could delay or reject it—just as it did with BTC for years.
But history shows:
When the first mover files, the rest follow.
And when Chainlink finally gets that green light, it won’t just be a win for LINK holders.
It will be a win for the entire decentralized internet.
