Bitcoin Starts the Week Flat, But Chainlink Is Flying—Here's Why
Bitcoin slipped back below $80,000 after a strong August rally, with analysts split between a continued uptrend and a sharp reversal risk. Price action remains stuck below the 50-week moving average after repeated failures near $82,000, while inflation data and the Fed’s Sept. 16 decision are the next major catalysts. Chainlink stood out as the top performer among major cryptocurrencies, rising 6.8% in 24 hours to $13.64, its highest since January. LINK also hit an 11-month high in derivatives open interest. The move appears tied to several bullish developments: a partnership with Bottomline, a major SWIFT services provider, to connect banks and businesses to blockchain infrastructure through Chainlink tools; earlier SWIFT interoperability tests involving Chainlink; Standard Chartered’s bullish long-term price target; and Charles Schwab’s decision to add LINK to its expanded crypto trading list. LINK is up 57% over the past 30 days.
