- Institutional funds accumulated approximately 629,100 $LINK in September, valued at about $8.37 million.
- Bitwise filed an SEC prospectus proposing to allocate 20% of its Chainlink ETF’s $LINK holdings to staking.
- $LINK reached $15.80 before retreating to $14.43, with $13.75 remaining a key support level.
Institutional Funds Increase Chainlink ETF Exposure
Institutional interest in Chainlink continued to expand as ETF-related activity drove further accumulation of $LINK. One day earlier, the ETF acquired 88,661 $LINK, valued at approximately $1.34 million.
The fund had also received 177,210 $LINK worth roughly $2.27 million one week earlier, followed by another 203,810 $LINK valued at nearly $2.40 million two weeks earlier. Combined, the transactions brought total September accumulation to approximately 629,100 $LINK, worth about $8.37 million.
The activity adds to growing institutional exposure to Chainlink and comes as the blockchain ecosystem gains visibility across traditional financial infrastructure.
Bitwise Proposes Staking Component for Chainlink ETF
Institutional activity expanded beyond Grayscale after Bitwise filed a new prospectus with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for its Chainlink ETF. The filing included plans to allocate 20% of the fund’s $LINK holdings to staking.
If implemented, the strategy would add a staking component to the ETF’s underlying exposure to Chainlink. This would position the proposed fund to combine market exposure to $LINK with potential participation in the network’s staking ecosystem.
Source: X
Bottomline Launch Extends Chainlink’s Reach Across Banking
Chainlink’s traditional-finance presence also expanded through Bottomline’s launch of Global Pay Connect, which uses the Chainlink ecosystem to support blockchain-based settlement across its banking network.
Bottomline is ranked among the world’s largest SWIFT service providers and serves more than 600 banks. Its network also handles over $16 trillion in payments annually, giving the launch significant reach within traditional finance.
The service is designed to integrate blockchain capabilities without requiring banks to leave their existing systems, potentially allowing participating institutions to access blockchain-based settlement while maintaining their established infrastructure.
Source: X
$LINK Reaches 2026 High Before Pulling Back
Chainlink’s price reflected the broader recovery in the market before facing rejection at its 2026 high. On the weekly chart, $LINK reached $15.80 and then retraced toward $14.43 as of reporting time.
Despite the pullback, the price remained above the important $13.75 support level after its latest upward move from the lower support region. The rejection also established $15.80 as the immediate level separating the current recovery from a possible further advance.
A strong weekly close above $15.80 could expose the next resistance near $17.63 before the price challenges the psychological $20 level. Conversely, an extended decline below $13.75 could shift attention toward the deeper support area around $11.18.
Source: TradingView
Why This Matters
Grayscale and Bitwise are increasing institutional exposure to $LINK as Chainlink expands its connections with traditional financial markets. Bitwise’s proposed staking allocation would add another feature to the ETF structure, while Bottomline’s Global Pay Connect launch demonstrates how blockchain settlement can be integrated into existing banking systems.
For Chainlink, the combination of ETF activity, staking-related product development and access to a network serving more than 600 banks strengthens its presence across both investment products and financial infrastructure. In the market, $15.80 remains the key near-term level for determining whether the weekly recovery can continue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much $LINK was accumulated in September?
The reported transactions brought September accumulation to approximately 629,100 $LINK, valued at about $8.37 million.
What did Bitwise propose in its Chainlink ETF filing?
Bitwise filed an SEC prospectus proposing to allocate 20% of the fund’s $LINK holdings to staking.
What are the key price levels for $LINK?
$15.80 is the immediate resistance and 2026 high. A move above that level could expose resistance near $17.63 and then $20, while $13.75 is the key support level. A sustained break below $13.75 could bring the $11.18 support area into focus.