Bitwise Chainlink ETF Launch Confirmed After SEC Clearance News

Bitwise Chainlink ETF Gets SEC Clearance, February Launch Set

Bitwise Chainlink ETF Confirms February Launch After SEC Clearance

Bitwise Asset Management has confirmed the launch timeline for its spot Bitwise Chainlink ETF after the registration became effective with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund has received auto-effective approval to list on NYSE Arca under the ticker CLNK, clearing the final regulatory step ahead of trading.

According to a Form 424B3 prospectus filed with the SEC, Bitwise plans to first use the registration on February 1, 2026, indicating a February launch rather than an immediate listing following approval. Auto-effectiveness allows the issuer to finalize operational details before trading begins.

Second Spot Fund to Enter U.S. Markets

Once live, the Bitwise product will become the second spot fund offering exposure to LINK in the U.S., following the earlier debut of the Grayscale Chainlink fund in December. The listing provides investors with regulated exposure to the Chainlink ecosystem through traditional brokerage platforms, without the need to directly hold tokens.

Fees, Custody, and Fund Structure

Bitwise disclosed a 0.34% management fee, which will be waived for the first three months on assets up to $500 million. Coinbase Custody Trust Company will act as the digital asset custodian, while BNY Mellon will serve as the cash custodian.

The fund will track the CME CF Chainlink-Dollar Reference Rate (New York Variant). Bitwise Investment Manager LLC is expected to seed the product with $2.5 million, equal to 100,000 shares at $25 each, according to the filing.

LINK Staking Not Enabled at Launch

Though the prospectus mentions Attestant Ltd as a favored provider for staking, the LINK staking at the very start will not be available. It suggested that the decision has not yet been made as to when the staking feature will be launched since there are still operational evaluations and market considerations that are going on.

Market Context and LINK Price Action

Similar launches have historically drawn attention from institutional investors, but market participants remain cautious. At the time of writing, Link price is trading near $13.19, down about 3% over the past 24 hours, with trading volume lower by nearly 20%.

Derivatives data shows softer positioning, with LINK futures open interest declining to roughly $632.8 million, reflecting reduced risk appetite amid broader macro developments, including recent U.S. jobs data.

YMYL Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not indicate any financial, investment, or trading advice. The prices in cryptocurrency markets are unstable, and the approvals by regulators do not imply an increase in prices. It is recommended that the readers do their own research and seek advice from certified financial professionals prior to investing.