- LINK stabilizes near $12 as tighter ranges hint at a potential volatility breakout.
- Futures OI declines to $591M, showing traders remain cautious amid shrinking leverage.
- Grayscale’s approved LINK ETF offers new regulated access that may revive demand.
Chainlink is trading with renewed attention this week as the asset stabilizes near the $12 region after an extended downtrend. The market continues to monitor technical signals, futures positioning, and flow trends, while a major development from Grayscale introduces a fresh narrative.
LINK Shows Signs of Stabilization but Faces Heavy Resistance
Chainlink holds near $12.14 and shows early signs of price stabilization. Recent candles form higher lows, which signals slight improvement in near-term sentiment. However, the broader trend remains bearish.
Additionally, price continues to move inside a tight Bollinger Band structure, showing reduced volatility and compression. This usually precedes a breakout. The EMA-9 and 20-SMA sit above the current range. Hence, LINK must reclaim them to build meaningful momentum.
Support remains firm near $12.00 and $11.90. Any breakdown exposes $11.50. Resistance stands at $13.12 and extends to $13.24. A move above $13.39 improves sentiment and opens a path toward $14.50. Higher targets sit at $15.39 and $16.29 if momentum strengthens.
Futures and Spot Flows Signal Caution Among Traders
Chainlink’s futures open interest shows clear cooling since September. OI surged above $1.1 billion earlier in the year and climbed near $1.9 billion in August. Prices approached $27 during that period. However, conditions changed sharply.
By December 1, 2025, OI fell to roughly $591 million as LINK trades near $12.95. The decline suggests reduced leverage exposure. Traders now prefer lower-risk positioning while waiting for a directional breakout. Moreover, this behavior aligns with LINK’s recent compression pattern.
Spot flows remain negative. Persistent outflows highlight ongoing selling pressure and limited confidence. Heavy red spikes in August and September pushed LINK lower. The latest outflow printed near $1.29 million at $12.12. Hence, LINK may struggle to build sustained upside until flows stabilize.
Related: Chainlink Price Prediction: Whales Accumulate as LINK Eyes a Bullish Reversal
Grayscale ETF Approval Introduces a New Catalyst
Grayscale received clearance to launch the first spot Chainlink ETF. The trust will now convert into a tradable ETF on NYSE Arca. This change offers regulated access to LINK through familiar market infrastructure.
Technical Outlook for Chainlink (LINK)
Key levels remain clearly defined as LINK navigates a tightening structure near the $12 zone.
- Upside levels: $13.12, $13.24, and $13.40 serve as immediate hurdles. A breakout above this cluster could extend toward $14.50 and $15.39 if momentum improves.
- Downside levels: $12.00 support remains the first line, followed by $11.59 and $11.50.
- Resistance ceiling: $13.40 remains the decisive level to flip to shift medium-term momentum in favor of buyers.
The technical setup shows LINK trading inside a narrowing volatility pocket, defined by compressing Bollinger Bands and resistance from the EMA-9 and 20-SMA. Price continues to hold a series of higher lows since late November, but the recovery remains limited until the $13.40 barrier breaks convincingly.
Will Chainlink Go Up?
Related: Chainlink Price Prediction: $3.6M Inflows And Ondo Deal Boost Confidence
Chainlink’s next move depends on whether buyers can continue defending the $12.00–$11.90 zone while building enough strength to challenge the $13.12–$13.40 range. Technical compression suggests a volatility expansion is approaching, and the ETF catalyst adds further attention to the asset.
If LINK breaks through the $13.40 resistance band with strong inflows, it could retest $14.50 and potentially aim for $15.39. A more extended rally may target the $16.29 region if volume accelerates.
Failure to defend $12.00, however, risks sending LINK back toward $11.59 and $11.50, weakening the recovery outlook.
For now, LINK sits in a pivotal zone. Momentum is neutral but improving, and upcoming liquidity catalysts could determine the next significant leg.
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