LINK Price Prediction: Chainlink Eyes $9.53 Breakout Despite Recent Decline

Joerg Hiller Feb 16, 2026 08:14

Chainlink trades at $8.79 after 4.56% decline, but technical indicators suggest potential bounce toward $9.53 resistance if bulls regain momentum above pivot.

Chainlink (LINK) is facing headwinds as it trades at $8.79, down 4.56% in the last 24 hours. With the token trading below key moving averages and showing bearish momentum signals, investors are watching critical support and resistance levels for the next directional move.

LINK Price Prediction Summary

• Short-term target (1 week): $9.16-$9.53 • Medium-term forecast (1 month): $8.23-$11.22 range • Bullish breakout level: $9.53 • Critical support: $8.23

What Crypto Analysts Are Saying About Chainlink

While specific analyst predictions from crypto Twitter are limited in recent hours, established forecasting platforms have released updated Chainlink forecasts. CoinLore maintains an extremely bullish long-term outlook, projecting LINK could reach $94.42 in 2026, representing a potential 981.68% increase from current levels.

DigitalCoinPrice takes a more conservative approach, suggesting Chainlink is positioned to surpass the $8.96 mark by year-end, noting that LINK previously reached $26.99 in early January before declining below $18.25.

According to on-chain data and technical analysis, the current price action suggests LINK is in a consolidation phase after recent volatility.

LINK Technical Analysis Breakdown

The technical picture for Chainlink presents mixed signals. The RSI sits at 36.63, placing LINK in neutral territory but approaching oversold conditions. This could indicate a potential bounce is developing, especially if buying pressure emerges near current levels.

MACD indicators show bearish momentum with a reading of -0.8403, while the MACD histogram sits at 0.0000, suggesting the bearish trend may be losing steam. The Stochastic oscillator shows %K at 59.64 and %D at 47.71, indicating potential for upward movement.

Chainlink's position within the Bollinger Bands is telling, with a %B reading of 0.37. This places LINK closer to the lower band ($7.36) than the upper band ($11.22), suggesting the token may be oversold relative to its recent trading range.

Moving averages paint a bearish picture, with LINK trading below all key SMAs. The 7-day SMA at $8.68 provides immediate resistance, followed by the 20-day SMA at $9.29 and the 50-day SMA at $11.50.

Chainlink Price Targets: Bull vs Bear Case

Bullish Scenario

If LINK can reclaim the pivot point at $8.88 and break through immediate resistance at $9.16, the path opens toward the strong resistance level at $9.53. A sustained break above $9.53 could target the 20-day SMA at $9.29, with further upside potential toward $11.22 (upper Bollinger Band).

Key bullish confirmations include RSI moving above 40, MACD histogram turning positive, and daily volume exceeding the current $23.7 million level.

Bearish Scenario

Failure to hold the immediate support at $8.51 could lead to a test of strong support at $8.23. A breakdown below this level might target the lower Bollinger Band at $7.36, representing significant downside risk.

Risk factors include continued MACD bearish momentum, inability to reclaim moving averages, and broader crypto market weakness affecting altcoins disproportionately.

Should You Buy LINK? Entry Strategy

Conservative investors might consider dollar-cost averaging between $8.51-$8.79, with a stop-loss below $8.23 to limit downside risk. More aggressive traders could wait for a confirmed break above $9.16 before entering long positions.

The daily ATR of $0.68 suggests normal volatility, making risk management crucial. Consider position sizing that allows for the typical daily price swings Chainlink experiences.

For those seeking entry points, watch for volume confirmation on any bounce attempts and monitor whether LINK can sustain trading above the 7-day SMA at $8.68.

Conclusion

This LINK price prediction suggests Chainlink faces a critical juncture at current levels. While technical indicators show mixed signals, the proximity to potential support levels and oversold conditions in the Bollinger Bands framework could provide a foundation for recovery.

The Chainlink forecast remains cautiously optimistic in the near term, with $9.53 representing a reasonable upside target if bulls can regain control. However, failure to hold $8.23 support could extend the current decline toward $7.36.

Cryptocurrency investments carry substantial risk. This LINK price prediction is for educational purposes and should not be considered financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consider your risk tolerance before making investment decisions.

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