What is Chainlink (LINK)?
Chainlink (LINK) fact sheet with live price · reviewed November 4, 2026
Chainlink is a network that feeds real-world data, such as prices, into smart contracts, a service called an "oracle." Lending apps like Aave rely on its price feeds. Its token, LINK, pays the network's node operators and can be staked. LINK is a token on Ethereum and other chains, not a blockchain of its own.
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Key facts
| Launched | 2017 (token sale); main network 2019 |
|---|---|
| Created by | Sergey Nazarov and Steve Ellis |
| Type | Token on Ethereum and other blockchains |
| Maximum supply | 1 billion LINK |
| Main products | Price feeds, cross-chain messaging (CCIP), proof of reserves |
Who runs it
Independent node operators run the oracle networks. Chainlink Labs, co-founded by Sergey Nazarov, develops the software and holds a large share of LINK, which is released over time.
What it's used for
Price feeds that lending and trading apps rely on, tools for moving data and tokens between blockchains (CCIP), and "proof of reserve" checks for wrapped and tokenized assets.
How it works
For each price feed, many independent nodes fetch the price from data providers, and the network combines their answers so no single node can fake the result. Users of the feeds pay fees, and node operators can stake LINK as a guarantee of good behavior.
Where things stand (November 2026)
Chainlink is the exclusive oracle for Aave V4, launched in March 2026, and is used by banks and market infrastructure firms in tokenization pilots.
Risks to know
- LINK's value depends on demand for Chainlink's services and the token's role in them.
- Chainlink Labs and early holders still release LINK onto the market.
- Price is volatile.
Buying and storing it
If you decide to buy, use a regulated exchange you reach directly, check fees with the true cost calculator, and store long-term holdings in a wallet you control, with the seed phrase written down offline. Read how to buy crypto safely. This page isn't a recommendation to buy.
Questions
What is a blockchain oracle?
A service that brings outside information, like the price of ETH in dollars, onto a blockchain so smart contracts can use it.
Is Chainlink a blockchain?
No. It's a network of nodes that serves many blockchains; LINK is a token on Ethereum and others.
Where to next
Sources
Facts checked against the sources listed, as of November 4, 2026. Live price data by CoinGecko. Educational only; not financial advice. How we write and check pages.