Grayscale Investments, the investment manager best known for its crypto‑asset trusts, has recently deepened its exposure to Chainlink (LINK). Over the past week, several developments have highlighted how the firm is positioning itself amid a shifting regulatory landscape and a broader institutional shift toward digital assets.

On 23 February 2026, reports from beincrypto.com noted that Grayscale’s Chainlink holdings had reached a new high, even as the token’s market price plunged by more than 70 % from its year‑to‑date peak. The dramatic price decline, which has seen LINK fall to $3.10 × 10⁻⁷ at 21 February 2026, contrasts sharply with the firm’s growing inventory. Grayscale’s strategy appears to be one of “buy the dip”, a tactic that has attracted attention from both retail and institutional investors seeking exposure to a network that feeds critical data into smart contracts.

In a separate development reported by cryptopolitan.com on 24 February 2026, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recruited a former Chainlink legal executive to help shape its crypto‑regulatory policy. The appointment underscores the SEC’s intent to engage more deeply with the ecosystem that underpins many decentralized applications. Meanwhile, Grayscale is reportedly strengthening its own internal position in Chainlink, with the firm’s “in‑house” team working closely on compliance and governance matters that align with the SEC’s evolving stance.

The timing of the SEC hire and Grayscale’s increased holdings suggests a coordinated industry response to tightening regulatory scrutiny. By aligning its investment thesis with the legal framework the SEC is crafting, Grayscale positions itself as a bridge between institutional capital and the Chainlink ecosystem.

Broader Context: Institutional Activity Across the Market

While Grayscale’s focus has been on LINK, other market participants are also expanding their digital‑asset portfolios. A cryptopolitan.com article on 23 February 2026 highlighted a discreet purchase of 592 BTC by a strategy that continues to acquire Bitcoin weekly at an average price of $67,286. Likewise, cryptopotato.com compared holdings across major players such as Coinbase, BlackRock, and Strategy, noting that Satoshi Nakamoto remains the largest single holder with roughly 1.1 million BTC – a stake worth about $75 billion at current prices.

These movements illustrate a broader trend of institutional investors diversifying across a range of crypto assets, even as macro‑economic pressures and regulatory changes introduce volatility. Grayscale’s focus on Chainlink aligns with the firm’s broader mandate to invest in assets that are integral to the infrastructure of blockchain technology.

Regulatory Calm Amid External Shock

The crypto market has largely maintained a calm demeanor despite external shocks. Several cryptopolitan.com pieces reported that a sudden increase in global tariffs—announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump—caused significant sell‑offs in equity markets but did not materially affect cryptocurrency prices. This resilience highlights the growing independence of digital asset markets from traditional macro‑economic catalysts, and further underscores why institutional investors are looking to firms like Grayscale that provide regulated exposure to high‑quality assets.

Conclusion

Grayscale’s recent surge in Chainlink holdings, coupled with the SEC’s active engagement with the ecosystem, signals a deliberate strategy to align institutional capital with the foundational infrastructure of smart contracts. As regulatory frameworks mature and market participants seek stable, compliant pathways into crypto, Grayscale’s positioning within Chainlink is poised to become a benchmark for how traditional asset managers can navigate the evolving digital‑asset landscape.