$LINK
In the previous cycle, Chainlink ($LINK) was primarily recognized as a decentralized oracle network — a powerful tool for bringing real-world data onto the blockchain, but limited in scope compared to what it has become today. Back then, it didn’t have CCIP (Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol), a groundbreaking innovation enabling secure and seamless communication between different blockchains. It also wasn’t partnered with giants like SWIFT, the global messaging system for financial institutions, or the DTCC (Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation), which handles trillions in securities transactions. Fast forward to this cycle, and the evolution is clear: Chainlink is no longer just an oracle service — it’s emerging as the Tokenized Settlement Layer for the entire financial world, bridging traditional finance with decentralized infrastructure.