Grayscale Research has released a new report arguing that Chainlink’s technology now sits at the center of efforts to connect public blockchains with traditional financial infrastructure. The paper, titled “The LINK Between Worlds,” describes Chainlink as “critical connective tissue” between on-chain and off-chain systems and says its software could be essential for tokenization and decentralized finance (DeFi).Chainlink Positioned as Core Plumbing for TokenizationIn the report, Grayscale analysts say public blockchains cannot support large-scale finance unless they reliably talk to real-world data and existing institutions. Chainlink’s tools, they argue, provide that missing connection layer for everything from asset prices to settlement events. Chainlink Tokenization Bridge. Source: Grayscale  on XThe research notes that most financial assets still live off-chain today. Tokenized versions account for only about 0.01% of the combined value of global equity and bond markets, leaving “enormous” room for expansion as more instruments move onto blockchains. Tokenized Assets Market Comparison. Source: Grayscale ResearchBecause of this gap, Grayscale frames Chainlink’s role in tokenization as primarily infrastructure. The network’s data feeds, automation tools and cross-chain messaging are presented as the rails that can let banks, asset managers and market utilities interact with public blockchains while keeping existing processes and controls. From ‘Oracle’ to Modular MiddlewareThe report pushes back on the idea of Chainlink as only a price-feed “oracle.” Instead, Grayscale describes it as modular middleware that lets smart-contract applications safely pull in outside information, talk to other blockchains and meet compliance requirements. Under this framing, Chainlink’s oracle networks are one component of a broader stack. The paper highlights features such as cross-chain communication, which can move messages and value between different networks, and services that can help institutions meet reporting or audit needs when they interact with DeFi protocols.According to Grayscale, this middleware approach means developers and financial firms do not need to rebuild their systems from scratch. Instead, they can plug existing workflows into Chainlink-enabled applications that run on multiple blockchains, while the middleware handles connectivity and verification in the background.LINK Token Presented as Broad Crypto-Market ExposureThe research also focuses on the LINK token’s place inside Grayscale’s sector framework. It classifies LINK as the largest asset in the “Utilities & Services” crypto sector by market value and the biggest non-Layer 1 token in the market when stablecoins are excluded. LINK Price Chart. Source: Artemis / Grayscale ResearchBecause Chainlink supports many blockchains rather than a single network, the report says LINK offers exposure to activity across the wider crypto economy. In that view, demand for LINK could track usage of Chainlink services on Ethereum, layer-2 networks and non-EVM chains that rely on its middleware. Grayscale concludes that this combination of cross-chain reach, tokenization focus and infrastructure usage makes LINK a candidate for diversified crypto portfolios, placing it alongside larger assets such as bitcoin and ether in the firm’s internal sector analysis.Trader Flags $11.65 as Critical LINK Support ZoneMeanwhile, Rick Barber says Chainlink has dropped into what he views as the macro support line and bottom of his buy range. In his post, he notes that this level has acted as support since 2024 and that several indicators now cluster around the same area, giving him confluence for a potential bottom. He adds that, for his spot position, the key risk would be a daily close below roughly $11.65.Chainlink Macro Support Zone. Source: Rick Barber on XOn the 4-hour chart, LINK trades near 12 dollars inside a highlighted green demand zone, with price pressing against horizontal support and a dense volume profile band just above. Meanwhile, oscillators such as RSI and MACD sit near the lower end of their recent ranges, reflecting extended downside pressure after a steady series of lower highs. The chart also shows price trading below major moving averages, underlining that the short-term trend remains weak even as it approaches support.On the daily timeframe, Barber’s chart extends that zone back through prior reactions, with LINK again testing the same band that previously acted as a base for rallies. In addition, a rising trendline from earlier lows runs just beneath the current range, reinforcing the idea of a long-term support cluster. However, the daily RSI continues to trend down, and Barber warns that a decisive break and close under the $11.65 area would invalidate his support thesis and raise concern about further downside.Grayscale Research has released a new report arguing that Chainlink’s technology now sits at the center of efforts to connect public blockchains with traditional financial infrastructure. The paper, titled “The LINK Between Worlds,” describes Chainlink as “critical connective tissue” between on-chain and off-chain systems and says its software could be essential for tokenization and decentralized finance (DeFi).Chainlink Positioned as Core Plumbing for TokenizationIn the report, Grayscale analysts say public blockchains cannot support large-scale finance unless they reliably talk to real-world data and existing institutions. Chainlink’s tools, they argue, provide that missing connection layer for everything from asset prices to settlement events. Chainlink Tokenization Bridge. Source: Grayscale  on XThe research notes that most financial assets still live off-chain today. Tokenized versions account for only about 0.01% of the combined value of global equity and bond markets, leaving “enormous” room for expansion as more instruments move onto blockchains. Tokenized Assets Market Comparison. Source: Grayscale ResearchBecause of this gap, Grayscale frames Chainlink’s role in tokenization as primarily infrastructure. The network’s data feeds, automation tools and cross-chain messaging are presented as the rails that can let banks, asset managers and market utilities interact with public blockchains while keeping existing processes and controls. From ‘Oracle’ to Modular MiddlewareThe report pushes back on the idea of Chainlink as only a price-feed “oracle.” Instead, Grayscale describes it as modular middleware that lets smart-contract applications safely pull in outside information, talk to other blockchains and meet compliance requirements. Under this framing, Chainlink’s oracle networks are one component of a broader stack. The paper highlights features such as cross-chain communication, which can move messages and value between different networks, and services that can help institutions meet reporting or audit needs when they interact with DeFi protocols.According to Grayscale, this middleware approach means developers and financial firms do not need to rebuild their systems from scratch. Instead, they can plug existing workflows into Chainlink-enabled applications that run on multiple blockchains, while the middleware handles connectivity and verification in the background.LINK Token Presented as Broad Crypto-Market ExposureThe research also focuses on the LINK token’s place inside Grayscale’s sector framework. It classifies LINK as the largest asset in the “Utilities & Services” crypto sector by market value and the biggest non-Layer 1 token in the market when stablecoins are excluded. LINK Price Chart. Source: Artemis / Grayscale ResearchBecause Chainlink supports many blockchains rather than a single network, the report says LINK offers exposure to activity across the wider crypto economy. In that view, demand for LINK could track usage of Chainlink services on Ethereum, layer-2 networks and non-EVM chains that rely on its middleware. Grayscale concludes that this combination of cross-chain reach, tokenization focus and infrastructure usage makes LINK a candidate for diversified crypto portfolios, placing it alongside larger assets such as bitcoin and ether in the firm’s internal sector analysis.Trader Flags $11.65 as Critical LINK Support ZoneMeanwhile, Rick Barber says Chainlink has dropped into what he views as the macro support line and bottom of his buy range. In his post, he notes that this level has acted as support since 2024 and that several indicators now cluster around the same area, giving him confluence for a potential bottom. He adds that, for his spot position, the key risk would be a daily close below roughly $11.65.Chainlink Macro Support Zone. Source: Rick Barber on XOn the 4-hour chart, LINK trades near 12 dollars inside a highlighted green demand zone, with price pressing against horizontal support and a dense volume profile band just above. Meanwhile, oscillators such as RSI and MACD sit near the lower end of their recent ranges, reflecting extended downside pressure after a steady series of lower highs. The chart also shows price trading below major moving averages, underlining that the short-term trend remains weak even as it approaches support.On the daily timeframe, Barber’s chart extends that zone back through prior reactions, with LINK again testing the same band that previously acted as a base for rallies. In addition, a rising trendline from earlier lows runs just beneath the current range, reinforcing the idea of a long-term support cluster. However, the daily RSI continues to trend down, and Barber warns that a decisive break and close under the $11.65 area would invalidate his support thesis and raise concern about further downside.