Chainlink (LINK) is showing strong signs of potential growth as it gradually builds momentum after a period of sideways movement. Trading at $15.02 at the time of writing, LINK has gained 0.55% in the last 24 hours. The key development now is the ongoing attempt by bulls to break through the stubborn $15.30 resistance level. Several bullish technical and on-chain indicators have emerged, aligning to suggest that Chainlink could be poised for a breakout, which could potentially lead the price toward the $17 range.

Technical Setup: Inverse Head-and-Shoulders Pattern and EMA Crossover

One of the most promising technical setups for Chainlink is the formation of an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern on its 4-hour chart, with the neckline sitting at $15.30. This pattern is generally considered a bullish reversal signal, indicating that if the price breaks above the resistance at $15.30, the trend could shift in favor of the bulls. In addition to this, the exponential moving average (EMA) crossover — where the 9-period EMA crosses above the 21-period EMA — confirms that short-term momentum is currently in favor of buyers. This crossover is often a signal that buying pressure is increasing and that the asset could be on the verge of a breakout.

However, for this technical setup to be fully validated, Chainlink must break and hold above the $15.30 resistance level. If the price fails to do so, it could remain stuck within the current consolidation range between $14.50 and $15.30, delaying the potential rally.

Exchange Metrics: Mixed Signals but Caution in the Short Term

Looking at exchange data, the signals are somewhat mixed. Over the past week, exchange reserves have decreased by 1.03%, which suggests that the selling pressure on LINK may have diminished. This decline in reserves points to a less bearish outlook in the long term, as fewer tokens are available for sale. However, in the short term, exchange netflows have spiked by 37.46% over the past 24 hours, which indicates an increase in deposit activity. Such spikes can often signal potential selling pressure, which could pose a short-term risk to price movement. Traders should stay cautious and monitor these fluctuations to understand whether this could lead to near-term selling.

On-Chain Activity: Healthy Growth Amid Consolidation

Chainlink’s on-chain metrics are also showing positive signs, supporting the case for a breakout. Over the last 24 hours, transfer volume has increased by 73.2%, reflecting higher coin movement. This uptick suggests that more LINK tokens are changing hands, which is a strong indicator of growing interest and demand. Additionally, active addresses have risen by 11.06%, pointing to an increase in wallet participation, another sign that the network is becoming more actively engaged. Despite these positive metrics, the total transaction count has dipped slightly by 2.33%, which could indicate a temporary phase of consolidation rather than a drop in interest.

In the derivatives market, the funding rate for LINK remains relatively low at 0.0090%, indicating that while long positions dominate, there is no excessive speculation or leverage. This moderate optimism suggests that traders are cautiously optimistic about LINK’s prospects but are not taking on risky positions that could lead to large-scale liquidations.

SuperTrend Buy Signal: A Positive Confirmation

Another bullish confirmation is the recent buy signal from the SuperTrend indicator on Chainlink’s daily chart. This trend-following indicator reinforces the possibility of a sustained upward move. If LINK manages to close above the $15.30 resistance level, this buy signal would add weight to the case for a breakout, increasing the likelihood of a price rally.

Conclusion: The Path to $17

Chainlink is in a strong position to confirm a breakout above the $15.30 neckline, thanks to the alignment of several bullish technical and on-chain indicators. The formation of an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern, coupled with a moving average crossover and a confirmed SuperTrend buy signal, strengthens the argument for a potential rally. While short-term exchange inflows introduce some caution, the broader outlook remains optimistic. If LINK can maintain upward momentum and clear the $15.30 resistance with strong volume, a rally toward the $17 level seems very likely.