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- Zafar Naik
Zafar Naik
- Reviewed by:
Qadir AKQadir Ak is the founder of Coinpedia. He has over a decade of experience writing about technology and has been covering the blockchain and cryptocurrency space since 2010. He has also interviewed a few prominent experts within the cryptocurrency space.
- Feb 10, 2026 09:40 UTC
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Chainlink Co-Founder Explains Why Crypto Has Matured Beyond FTX-Era Risks
Chainlink’s co-founder says this crypto cycle is revealing structural maturity.
Real-world assets are continuing to move on-chain even as crypto prices fluctuate.
The shift toward infrastructure-driven growth is raising new questions about where value ultimately flows.
Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov said that real-world assets (RWAs) on-chain will eventually surpass cryptocurrency in total value across the industry.
The statement came as LINK trades near $8.58, with a market cap of $6 billion, down over 83% from its all-time high.
No Systemic Failures This Cycle
Nazarov pointed to two key signals from the current market cycle. First, no major institutional collapses have happened despite heavy price drops. Unlike the last cycle, where FTX and multiple lenders blew up, the system held together this time.
Second, RWA activity continues to grow regardless of where Bitcoin’s price sits.
“We have seen RWA issuance continue to grow and we’ve seen leading on-chain perp markets rival tradfi perp markets for very traditional commodities like silver,” Nazarov said.
RWA Growth No Longer Tied to Crypto Prices
Nazarov explained that tokenized assets, stablecoin proof of reserves, and on-chain fund NAVs are all expanding on their own, separate from broader crypto market conditions.
He called this “unique and durable long-term value” that can grow regardless of market pricing.
He placed Chainlink at the center of this shift, pointing to its 70%+ market share in delivering data to leading blockchains. The platform also recently launched partnerships with institutional data providers like S&P and ICE.
Chainlink’s infrastructure covers three core functions: data delivery, cross-chain connectivity for liquidity, and orchestration through its Chainlink Runtime Environment (CRE), which coordinates multiple systems into single workflows.
LINK Holders Ask: Where’s the Price Action?
The community response was mixed.
One user argued that RWA growth is “bullish for the industry but potentially bearish for the speculative culture that funded it,” warning that retail investors could become less relevant as institutional money takes over.
Others raised a more direct concern. LINK is trading under $10 in 2026, sitting roughly 20% above 2023 bear market lows. One holder asked what all the partnerships and integrations are “worth in the end” when the token price has not reflected the progress.
Nazarov maintained that institutional adoption driven by RWA infrastructure will define the next stage of crypto’s growth. Whether that demand reaches LINK’s valuation remains the open question.
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FAQs
Real-world assets are traditional assets like bonds, commodities, or funds that are tokenized and managed on blockchain networks for transparency and efficiency.
Chainlink provides critical data, cross-chain connectivity, and orchestration tools that institutions use to manage tokenized assets on-chain.
Institutional infrastructure adoption often lags token price appreciation, especially when demand focuses on utility over speculation.
Many see Chainlink as long-term infrastructure for RWAs and institutions, though how that translates to LINK price remains uncertain.
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