LINK ETF confirmed in 2025? The launch of XRP and SOL accelerates the progress of Chainlink.

When Chainlink briefly appeared on the DTCC reference list, the crypto industry immediately speculated that “LINK ETF has been confirmed.”

In fact, like XRP and Bitcoin before, this is just a routine internal update from DTCC, aimed at preparing for the potential launch of an ETF before the SEC officially approves it. LINK has been integrated into the clearing payment system, rather than passing through the approval gate.

Nevertheless, this is still a positive signal. Most of the crypto ETFs that appear on this list eventually launch within 6 months. The Bitcoin ETF is listed in October 2023 and officially trades from January 2024, while the Canary Capital XRP ETF appears on DTCC this month and starts trading on November 13.

This distinguishing point is important because it helps to recognize the reality: DTCC is a clearinghouse, not a regulatory agency, and their data reflects operational readiness, not policy approval. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP all go through a similar cycle of speculation.

The difference with BTC and ETH is that these assets already have official registration records, including changes to exchange rules and registration statements ( that lay the groundwork for ETF approval. Without both of these steps, a ticker on the DTCC page is just a “skeleton” – an empty door.

The Real “Gatekeepers”

To officially trade a crypto ETF, two approval steps are required in a specific order:

1. The exchange wishing to list an ETF must have its Rule 19b-4 filing approved by the SEC, which means a request to change the exchange rules to list a new product.
2. After obtaining 19b-4, the ETF issuer must file an S-1 registration statement, detailing the fund's structure, custodian, pricing, risks, and fees. The SEC reviews and may request additional information. Trading is not permitted before the S-1 becomes effective.

In summary: the exchange must be approved for listing )19b-4(, and the issuer must be approved to offer )S-1(. Only when both steps are completed can the ETF be launched.

In 2025, the SEC introduced a unified listing framework, simplifying the two-step approval process for digital asset ETFs similar to products that have already been approved. Although the time is shortened, exchanges still have to demonstrate liquidity and the reliability of the underlying market prices. With tokens like LINK, meeting both requirements remains a challenge.

Why this is important

If the LINK ETF passes all approval steps, it could change the way crypto investors and the public approach digital assets.

For regular users, this means buying LINK directly in the brokerage account, alongside Apple stocks or the S&P 500 fund. No wallet needed, no seed phrase required, and tax reporting is simpler: 1099 instead of complicated spreadsheets.

However, convenience comes with a cost: ETFs have management fees, and there may be a difference between the price of the ETF and the market price of the tokens. Initially, the spread may be wide if trading volumes are low. Conceptually, ETF investors cannot use LINK in DeFi, staking, or governance voting. They only hold exposure to value, without utilizing the features.

Advisors often view altcoin ETFs as a niche asset class, accounting for only a small percentage of the portfolio to balance volatility risk.

Liquidity and Operating Mechanism

ETF uses authorized participants and market makers to keep the price close to NAV. With LINK, a thin market means that creating or redeeming large ETFs can affect the price or liquidity of DeFi.

If the ETF holds a large amount of LINK, liquidity on the exchange and staking pool decreases, leading to strong price fluctuations in a tense market. This is why the SEC is closely examining the custody and creation-redemption process.

If ETF staking LINK, the SEC will require more transparency about risks, as in the case of BSOL, which is more difficult but completely feasible.

The role of DTCC is to operate, process payments, and record. When LINK appears on DTCC data, it only means that the ETF is being prepared for the possibility of approval.

Identify the actual process

To distinguish the actual ETF process from rumors, it is necessary to rely on the official steps:

• 19b-4 on the SEC or Federal Register website → the exchange has the right to list the product.
• S-1 effective on EDGAR → issuers can offer to the public.
• DTCC/NSCC list → back office is ready, but only when both of the above steps occur.
• SEC discussion on supervision or correlation analysis → indicates the assessment direction of the agency.

Thanks to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP, the market has a pattern. Each new asset still has to undergo liquidity and integrity checks. What is important for investors is that the structure for the proliferation of altcoins has been established, and the next phase will determine who passes through that “door.”

The DTCC ticker is exciting, but it's just the first step. The process will only end when both approve the SEC's 19b-4 and S-1 officially.

When that happens, it will be confirmed through official records, not screenshots, marking the actual milestone of the ETF.

The probability of the LINK ETF launching in 2025 was around 30%, but after the launch of XRPC from Canary Capital, the timeline may be shortened.

So, keep an eye on the records if you want to access LINK ETF as soon as it officially opens.

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