Chainlink (LINK) has experienced a remarkable uptick of over 27% within just a week, surpassing the $21 mark. This surge is primarily driven by increasing institutional adoption and significant whale activity, contributing to a distinctly bullish atmosphere in the market.
The network’s ongoing collaboration with SWIFT now links over 11,000 financial institutions, effectively bridging traditional banking systems with both public and private blockchains. This strategic positioning underscores Chainlink’s role as a vital component in the evolving integration of blockchain technology into finance.

The Rise of Chainlink (LINK) Through Institutional Adoption and DeFi Innovations
During Chainlink’s recent SmartCon conference, the platform unveiled its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), capable of seamlessly connecting SWIFT’s longstanding messaging framework with a variety of blockchain networks.
Pioneering trials with prominent banks like BNY Mellon and BNP Paribas have illustrated how tokenized assets can be fluidly transferred across diverse chains, marking a significant leap in financial technology.
The institutional collaboration sphere is expanding rapidly, with key partnerships involving entities such as the DTCC, Mastercard, and numerous central banks.
Moreover, the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), owner of the NYSE, has recently incorporated its forex and precious metals data with Chainlink’s oracles. This integration offers accurate, reliable financial data for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, enhancing their credibility.
Technical Assessment Signals Potential for Further Gains
On the technical side, LINK has decisively broken a long-standing descending trendline, a marker holding back price growth since December 2024. This breakthrough followed a double-bottom formation at the $18 level, indicating a shift toward positive momentum.
Market analysts point to the $24 mark as a crucial resistance level; overcoming this barrier may catalyze an ascent to the $30–$35 range. More optimistic forecasts suggest a potential climb to $95–$100 if LINK manages to maintain its breakout from the multi-year symmetrical triangle pattern established since 2021.
Currently trading above $21, LINK has successfully upheld vital support levels established during its recent price rally, reinforcing its bullish outlook.
Whale Activity Indicates Market Confidence
Recent on-chain metrics reveal that whales have acquired more than $13 million in LINK, including a noteworthy withdrawal of 510,000 LINK from Binance to Compound. The count of daily active addresses has surged from 5,500 to over 9,400, illustrating a robust influx of participation from both retail and institutional investors.
The trading volume on decentralized exchanges has also soared, exceeding $1.29 billion within a 24-hour span. This uptick indicates a growing demand for Chainlink’s oracle services, extending beyond mere speculative trading activities.
With a market capitalization of $15 billion supporting over $59.5 billion in managed assets, analysts contend that LINK is currently undervalued. Should the bullish trend persist and institutional adoption continue to deepen, a bullish movement toward $30—and potentially beyond—seems increasingly achievable.
Cover image from ChatGPT, LINKUSD chart from Tradingview