- Bitwise’s CLNK ETF listed on DTCC’s active roster,indicating pre-launch settlement readiness.
- SEC approval remains pending due to delays from the prolonged U.S. government shutdown.
- Multiple firms, including Grayscale, are pursuing Chainlink ETFs as institutional interest grows.
The Bitwise Chainlink ETF (ticker: CLNK) has been listed on the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) eligibility roster, marking an early procedural step toward potential market settlement.
The listing, which appeared under DTCC’s “active” and “pre-launch” categories, is part of the routine clearing and settlement process and does not confirm approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Still, such listings are typically seen as technical preparations indicating that a product is being readied for trading once all regulatory requirements are fulfilled.
DTCC Listing Progress In Pre-Launch Procedures
According to data shared by Wu Blockchain, DTCC’s inclusion of the Bitwise Chainlink ETF allows the fund’s shares to be processed through post-trade systems once authorized. DTCC serves as the main market infrastructure for clearing and recording transactions across U.S. securities markets.
Its involvement ensures that newly listed ETFs can settle efficiently once regulatory clearance is granted. Bitwise’s ETF seeks to track the performance of Chainlink (LINK), a digital token that powers decentralized oracle networks providing data to smart contracts.
The asset manager initially filed a Form S-1 registration with the SEC in August, followed by preparations for a Form 8-A filing, one of the final steps before a public offering. Although these filings signal operational readiness, the ETF cannot launch until the SEC provides official approval.
Grayscale And Other Firms Target Chainlink Exposure
Grayscale has also submitted a spot Chainlink ETF proposal, showing increasing institutional interest in oracle-based digital assets. However, Grayscale’s product includes a staking component, which could draw additional scrutiny from regulators.
Several other asset managers have proposed ETFs tracking alternative cryptocurrencies, including Solana, Hedera, and Dogecoin, as the market broadens beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The emergence of multiple Chainlink-related ETF filings shows growing attention toward integrating decentralized data infrastructure with regulated investment frameworks. DTCC’s listing of Bitwise’s fund places it among several pending crypto ETFs awaiting review, though none have yet received final approval.
SEC Review Slowed By Government Shutdown
Dozens of crypto ETFs remain pending as the U.S. government shutdown extends into its sixth week. Limited SEC operations have delayed approvals, though the Senate recently passed a funding bill expected to restore normal activity soon.
Under federal law, some filings can become automatically effective after 20 days without SEC action, particularly during shutdowns, allowing listings to advance administratively. The SEC recently adopted new generic listing standards designed to streamline ETF approvals without case-by-case review.
These rules, introduced on September 17, have yet to take full effect due to the ongoing shutdown. Once the government reopens, analysts expect the review process for pending crypto ETFs, including Bitwise’s CLNK, to resume under the updated framework.
