Chainlink Coming after our contract and holder checks finish for this coin. See the Scorecard for every call so far.
What it is
Chainlink is a network that brings outside information, such as asset prices, interest rates and proof of reserves, onto blockchains. This is called an oracle service. Lending and trading apps on Ethereum and dozens of other chains rely on its price feeds to decide when to liquidate loans or settle trades. It also runs a cross-chain messaging service, CCIP, used to move tokens and data between networks.
Independent node operators collect data from many sources, combine it and publish the result on-chain. LINK is how they get paid. Holders can also stake LINK in pools that back the service, and operators' staked LINK can be partly taken away if they fail to perform. Chainlink Labs, the company behind the project, does most of the development, selects which operators serve each feed, and signs deals with banks and financial firms.
LINK was sold in a September 2017 token sale, and supply is fixed at 1 billion. About three-quarters was in circulation by late 2026; the rest is held in wallets controlled by the team and released over time. Since August 2025, a 'Chainlink Reserve' converts some service revenue into LINK and holds it.
What can go wrong
- Chainlink Labs still controls a large amount of unreleased LINK, and periodic transfers from those wallets to exchanges add selling pressure that holders cannot control.
- Operators for most price feeds are chosen by Chainlink Labs rather than joining freely, so the service depends on that company's decisions.
- So much of DeFi uses Chainlink price feeds that a faulty or delayed feed could trigger wrong liquidations across many apps at once.
- Many customers pay for Chainlink services in other assets, so growth in usage does not automatically become demand for LINK.
LINK exists on many blockchains, including bridged copies. If you buy it anywhere other than a major exchange, confirm the token contract address in Chainlink's official documentation first.
Safety checks
- Track recordGoodTrading since 2017, about 9 years. It has been through at least one full market cycle.
- Trading activityGood$245.3 million traded in the last 24 hours, 2.6% of its market value. That's enough activity that a normal-size order shouldn't move the price.
- Coins still to comeCaution766.8 million of 1.00 billion maximum coins are in circulation, so about 23% are still to be released. New coins entering the market can push the price down as they're sold.
- Distance from its peakCautionDown 77% from its all-time high of $52.70 in May 2021. Many buyers from the peak are still underwater, and they often sell into any rally.
- Past yearFor context−35% over the past year, against −25.3% for bitcoin. It has done worse than simply holding bitcoin.
History of trouble and big events
- 2017: The LINK token sale in September raised about $32 million.
- 2025: The Chainlink Reserve launched in August to accumulate LINK from service revenue.
Holding a token on a smaller network, or got sent one you don't recognize? Run its address through the free checker. Copycat tokens often borrow big names.