ChainLink (LINK) is the native currency of the ChainLink platform. It represents an ERC-20 token is listed on multiple exchanges paired against major cryptos. At the time of writing, you can trade LINK against the fiat USD currency on Coinbase Pro.
Smart contracts are not able to access data on their own. Since connecting these contracts to data via node is deemed as a point of failure, using a decentralized service could be a solution.
Therefore, the ChainLink project sees its mission in the integration of the off-chain data into smart contracts through a reliable decentralized oracle network. LINK tokens hit the market in 2017 and the currency quickly made its way to the top 50 cryptocurrencies by market cap. Later it reached the top 20. ChainLink partners with a large banking network SWIFT. |
| Launched |
|---|
2017 |
Website: |
| Asset status |
Active |
| Asset type |
Token |
| Auditors |
CertikScore: 93.88Updated: May 15, 2026 |
| Blockchain list |
+62 more networks |
| Code repositories |
⭐ 192🍴 127👥 11 ⭐ 251🍴 117👥 4 ⭐ 1,270🍴 511👥 34 ⭐ 7,534🍴 1,830👥 296 |
| Discord servers |
Members: 112,561 |
| Other social networks |
| Price usd |
8.122 |
| Project leaders |
Sergey Nazarov, Steve Ellis |
| Subreddits |
Subscribers: 94,587Community age: Apr 5, 2010 |
| X accounts |
Followers: 1,392,695Account age: Jun 19, 2013 |
Ethereum is an innovation network providing its own blockchain with its cryptocurrency (Ether or ETH). This blockchain hosts decentralized applications (DApps) that were first introduced by Ethereum. Another innovation of this platform is the implementation of smart contracts which has changed the perception of the possible use of the blockchain, revealing the potential of the technology to its fullest. |
| Launched |
|---|
2015 |
Website: |
| Asset status |
Active |
| Asset type |
Coin |
| Auditors |
CertikScore: 97.23Updated: May 15, 2026 |
| Blockchain list |
+129 more networks |
ChainLink (LINK) is the native currency of the ChainLink platform. It represents an ERC-20 token is listed on multiple exchanges paired against major cryptos. At the time of writing, you can trade LINK against the fiat USD currency on Coinbase Pro.
Smart contracts are not able to access data on their own. Since connecting these contracts to data via node is deemed as a point of failure, using a decentralized service could be a solution.
Therefore, the ChainLink project sees its mission in the integration of the off-chain data into smart contracts through a reliable decentralized oracle network. LINK tokens hit the market in 2017 and the currency quickly made its way to the top 50 cryptocurrencies by market cap. Later it reached the top 20. ChainLink partners with a large banking network SWIFT. | Ethereum is an innovation network providing its own blockchain with its cryptocurrency (Ether or ETH). This blockchain hosts decentralized applications (DApps) that were first introduced by Ethereum. Another innovation of this platform is the implementation of smart contracts which has changed the perception of the possible use of the blockchain, revealing the potential of the technology to its fullest. |
| Launched | |
|---|---|
2017 | 2015 |
Website: | Website: |
| Asset status | |
Active | Active |
| Asset type | |
Token | Coin |
| Auditors | |
CertikScore: 93.88Updated: May 15, 2026 | CertikScore: 97.23Updated: May 15, 2026 |
| Blockchain list | |
In a scenario where you choose to include one coin in your portfolio but are uncertain, take a closer look at these two. This article is dedicated to the Chainlink (LINK) vs Ethereum (ETH) comparison for investing purposes, highlighting the most important aspects of this discussion.
First things first: the market capitalization. It's always better to invest in a well-established coin than a relatively new project. A large market cap means low volatility, whereas a small market cap means the coin will be extremely volatile and risky to trade – but can also bring huge rewards.
See if the coin has reasonable market cap and valuation for now – sometimes people speculate with coins which don't deserve a single dollar spent on them.
Proof-of-Work, Proof-of-Stake, or any other algorithm. Every protocol uses a specific algorithm for consensus – and therefore it brings some particular traits and advantages. Compare both coins by the consensus mechanism to find similarities and differences. Does it fit your preferences?
Every blockchain has a particular transaction throughput (TPS) level. The higher the transaction speed, the better – but do not consider this to be a primary factor in choosing a blockchain. Layer-2 solutions are also essential for scalability.
Supply and emission schedule play a crucial role in determining the price of any coin on the market. See how many coins will ever exist and how many are already in circulation. How are new coins emitted? Will there be any further halvings or supply increases?
Finally, it all comes down to real adoption. What real-world problems does the coin help solve? How active is the community around it? Does it have real use cases and on-chain activity statistics?
Neither of these coins is a better option in every possible situation – they serve different users. Determine which of them matches your preferences and needs the most, and make your decision accordingly.
| Code repositories |
|---|
github.com ⭐ 13,520🍴 5,826👥 931 github.com ⭐ 5,584🍴 5,186👥 1,995 github.com ⭐ 25,164🍴 6,195👥 800 github.com +1 more repositories⭐ 49,786🍴 21,253👥 1,154 |
| Discord servers |
|---|
Ethereum.org Members: 45,520 |
| Other social networks |
|---|
| Price usd |
|---|
1,829.42 |
| Project leaders |
|---|
Vitalik Buterin, Mihai Alisie, Anthony Di Iorio, Gavin Wood, Joseph Lubin, Jeffrey Wilcke, Amir Chetrit, Charles Hoskinson |
| Subreddits |
|---|
Ethereum Subscribers: 3,715,978Community age: Dec 14, 2013 |
| X accounts |
|---|
Ethereum Followers: 4,138,541Account age: Jan 26, 2014 |
| Code repositories | |
|---|---|
github.com ⭐ 192🍴 127👥 11 github.com ⭐ 251🍴 117👥 4 github.com ⭐ 1,270🍴 511👥 34 github.com +2 more repositories⭐ 7,534🍴 1,830👥 296 | github.com ⭐ 13,520🍴 5,826👥 931 github.com ⭐ 5,584🍴 5,186👥 1,995 github.com ⭐ 25,164🍴 6,195👥 800 github.com +1 more repositories⭐ 49,786🍴 21,253👥 1,154 |
| Discord servers | |
|---|---|
Chainlink official Members: 112,561 | Ethereum.org Members: 45,520 |
| Other social networks | |
|---|---|
| Price usd | |
|---|---|
8.122 | 1,829.42 |
| Project leaders | |
|---|---|
Sergey Nazarov, Steve Ellis | Vitalik Buterin, Mihai Alisie, Anthony Di Iorio, Gavin Wood, Joseph Lubin, Jeffrey Wilcke, Amir Chetrit, Charles Hoskinson |
| Subreddits | |
|---|---|
Chainlink Subscribers: 94,587Community age: Apr 5, 2010 | Ethereum Subscribers: 3,715,978Community age: Dec 14, 2013 |
| X accounts | |
|---|---|
Chainlink Followers: 1,392,695Account age: Jun 19, 2013 | Ethereum Followers: 4,138,541Account age: Jan 26, 2014 |
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