Bitwise secures regulatory approval for Chainlink ETF, enabling NYSE Arca listing and regulated investor exposure to LINK.
Bitwise has received regulatory approval to list its Chainlink ETF on NYSE Arca. Consequently, the product could begin trading as early as tomorrow. The approval is another milestone for crypto-linked exchange-traded products. Moreover, it increases regulated access to digital assets via traditional financial markets.
Bitwise Gains Approval to List Chainlink ETF on NYSE Arca
The Bitwise Chainlink ETF provides exposure to the market price of Chainlink. Importantly, investors have the ability to access LINK through regular brokerage accounts. Therefore, the structure eliminates the requirement of direct custody of tokens. This approach is targeted at investors who are looking for an easier way of crypto exposure.
Chainlink is the 20th largest crypto asset in the crypto market by market cap. As of January 14, 2026, LINK was trading at around $13.68. The price increased by around 3.6% in 24 hours. Additionally, LINK surged more than 11% during the last week.
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The ETF will directly hold the tokens (LINK). Shares will trade on the NYSE Arca as CLNK. However, the fund will take no part in staking activities at first. Bitwise plans to ask for approval on staking as a secondary goal in the future.
The management fee of the ETF is 0.34%. However, Bitwise will waive the full sponsor fee for 3 months. This waiver is for the first $500 million in assets. As a result, the investors in the early stages benefit in terms of cost.
Custody arrangements are with established financial institutions. Coinbase Custody Trust Company will be used to secure the digital assets. Meanwhile, BNY Mellon will be responsible for the cash custody. This structure is intended to increase investor confidence as well as regulatory compliance.
According to the SEC filings dated January 2026, the ETF is compliant with existing regulatory standards. The approval enables LINK exposure without manipulation of the wallet itself. Therefore, the operational barriers for traditional investors are still much lower.
Regulated Access Expands Institutional and Retail Participation
Chainlink’s current market capitalization is close to $9.92 billion. The network is used for decentralized oracle services across multiple blockchains. Therefore, investor interest is often correlated with broader adoption trends in decentralized finance ecosystems.
Bitwise emphasized simplicity and compliance in its product design. The ETF does not take staking risks in the initial phase. However, future amendments may introduce additional features for yield generation. This may raise long-term appeal if this is approved.
The approval comes in line with the rising acceptance of crypto ETFs in US markets. Regulators are still assessing asset-backed structures. As a result, more single-asset crypto ETFs could have similar approval paths.
From a risk standpoint, the ETF continues to exhibit volatility in the cryptocurrency market. However, custody and compliance frameworks minimize operational risks. Therefore, exposure is still more structured than direct token ownership.
The Chainlink ETF also reinforces Bitwise’s product portfolio. The firm already operates several crypto investment vehicles. This expansion strengthens its position in the regulated digital asset management.
Overall, the approval of the listing on the NYSE Arca is a notable development. It is a link between traditional finance and blockchain-based assets. As such, controlled access to LINK could continue to influence participation trends in the market in the coming months.
