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Bitwise Chainlink ETF

Bitwise Chainlink ETF, launched by Matthew Hougan and Bitwise, offers institutional exposure to Chainlink's LINK token through a single-asset ETF...

Bitwise Chainlink ETF

Bitwise Asset Management, founded in 2016 by Hunter Horsley, has positioned itself as a specialist in crypto index and thematic funds. The firm's Chainlink ETF, launched in 2025, focuses on the token of the Chainlink decentralized oracle network, which provides tamper-proof data feeds for smart contracts. Bitwise registered the ETF with the SEC in early 2025, signaling a regulatory pathway that parallels its earlier Bitcoin and Ether ETFs. The strategy behind the Chainlink ETF is straightforward: it holds LINK tokens to reflect the asset's price performance. This places Bitwise in the niche of single-asset crypto ETFs, a category that has expanded beyond Bitcoin and Ether as ETF issuers seek to capture broader digital-asset market exposure. The firm has described Chainlink as 'critical infrastructure' for the crypto ecosystem (per Bitwise official communications, 2025). Geographic distribution is global, with LINK trading on exchanges worldwide. Bitwise managed roughly $1.2B in total assets across its product suite as of early 2025 (per public filings). The firm employs about 80 people across its San Francisco headquarters. It operates a charitable arm, Bitwise Foundation, focused on crypto education, which is separated from the ETF operations. One structural differentiator: Bitwise develops specialized crypto ETFs that target enterprise-grade blockchain applications such as Chainlink, distinguishing it from broad-based crypto index funds. Its single-asset ETF lineup (Bitcoin, Ether, Chainlink) avoids the multi-asset volatility of general crypto funds while allowing precision exposure to specific network tokens.

General information

Firm type

Exchange-Traded Fund

Year founded

2025

AUM

Undisclosed

Location

Region

North America

Country

United States

City

San Francisco

Corporate office

San Francisco, CA, United States

Principals

Matthew Hougan

Chief Investment Officer

Hunter Horsley

CEO

Hong Kim

Chief Compliance Officer

Sector focus

Crypto & BlockchainFinTechDigital Assets

Frequently asked questions

How does Bitwise Chainlink ETF differ from a Bitcoin ETF?

The Bitwise Chainlink ETF tracks LINK, the native token of the Chainlink oracle network used to feed real-world data to smart contracts. A Bitcoin ETF tracks BTC. Chainlink's use case in enterprise blockchains differentiates it as infrastructure rather than a store of value.

What is the regulatory status of the Bitwise Chainlink ETF?

Bitwise filed the Chainlink ETF with the SEC in 2025, following the same regulatory framework used for its Bitcoin and Ether ETFs. The fund is classified as a commodity-based trust under SEC rules.

Who manages investment decisions for the Bitwise Chainlink ETF?

Matthew Hougan, Bitwise's CIO, oversees the ETF's portfolio. He has led crypto asset management since joining Bitwise in 2018 and previously worked at Morningstar. Operational compliance is managed by Hong Kim, Chief Compliance Officer.

Can this ETF be held in retirement accounts?

Yes. As an SEC-registered ETF, the Bitwise Chainlink ETF can be held in traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and 401(k) accounts through most brokerages that support crypto ETFs.

What is the custody arrangement for the underlying LINK tokens?

Bitwise uses a qualified custodian (likely Coinbase Custody, which it uses for its Bitcoin and Ether ETFs), though specific custody details for the Chainlink ETF have not been disclosed by the firm.

How does the fund's expense ratio compare to other crypto ETFs?

Bitwise typically charges 0.75%–1.00% for its crypto ETFs. The exact expense ratio for the Chainlink ETF has not been confirmed, but it is expected to be within that range given firm pricing history.

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