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Bitwise’s spot Chainlink exchange-traded fund (ETF) has been spotted on the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) registry — a strong indicator that the fund may be nearing its official approval and market debut. The ETF, listed under the ticker symbol CLNK, appears in both the “active” and “pre-launch” categories, signaling significant progress toward potential listing.
Although a DTCC appearance doesn’t guarantee final approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), it’s historically been a reliable sign that an ETF is close to launch. The DTCC plays a crucial role in post-trade processes, clearing and settling transactions to ensure security and efficiency for assets such as stocks and ETFs.
Bitwise’s Chainlink ETF Nears Key Milestones
The crypto asset manager Bitwise is still required to file a Form 8-A, a regulatory step often completed shortly before a product is officially listed on an exchange. The filing of this form typically indicates that a product’s launch is imminent.
Back in August 2025, Bitwise submitted a Form S-1 registration statement to the SEC, outlining plans for the ETF to track the price of Chainlink (LINK) — the native token powering the Chainlink decentralized oracle network. The ETF aims to give investors exposure to LINK’s performance without requiring them to directly hold the asset.
In parallel, Grayscale has also proposed its own Chainlink ETF. However, analysts expect Bitwise’s version to face fewer regulatory hurdles since Grayscale’s product intends to incorporate staking, a feature that often attracts additional scrutiny from the SEC.
Market Context and Regulatory Environment
The appearance of Bitwise’s Chainlink ETF on the DTCC registry comes amid a prolonged U.S. government shutdown, which has slowed the approval process for numerous spot crypto ETFs. The shutdown — now in its 42nd day — has temporarily delayed the SEC’s review of several pending filings. Still, analysts expect the process to resume quickly once the Senate-approved funding bill restores normal operations.
Dozens of asset managers are now racing to bring new spot crypto ETFs to market, targeting a range of high-demand altcoins including Dogecoin (DOGE), Solana (SOL), Avalanche (AVAX), Aptos (APT), and Hedera (HBAR). The push reflects growing institutional interest in diversified crypto exposure beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
SEC’s New Listing Standards Could Accelerate Approvals
Another reason for optimism comes from the SEC’s new generic listing standards, introduced on September 17, 2025. These rules allow crypto ETFs to be approved under a more streamlined process, removing the need for individual case-by-case reviews. While the government shutdown has delayed their implementation, industry experts believe that once operations resume, these standards could lead to a wave of ETF approvals — including Bitwise’s Chainlink product.
What Comes Next for Chainlink Investors
If approved, the Bitwise Chainlink ETF would become one of the first major altcoin-focused ETFs in the United States, marking another milestone in the ongoing institutional adoption of digital assets. The product would allow traditional investors to gain exposure to LINK through regulated markets, potentially increasing liquidity and market depth for the Chainlink ecosystem.
With Chainlink currently trading around $15.73, market participants are watching closely to see whether the ETF listing could catalyze renewed investor demand. As ETF approvals have historically coincided with heightened trading activity, Chainlink may soon experience increased volatility and interest from both retail and institutional traders.
