Is LINK capitulation still ahead? Investors should watch THIS bearish signal

ambcryptoPublished on 2026-02-22Last updated on 2026-02-22

Abstract

Chainlink (LINK) has been trading in a long-term symmetrical triangle pattern, with its price defending the $8 support level. Despite a bearish higher-timeframe trend, a lower-timeframe bullish flag pattern suggests a potential short-term breakout. Key metrics show a significant rise in the Holder Accumulation Ratio to 74.8%, indicating strong buying conviction among long-term holders. However, short-term holders are facing substantial losses, with a -24.29% 90-day MVRV ratio, leading to aggressive selling from this cohort. While longer-term holders are accumulating or holding, the absence of a final capitulation event suggests that one more bearish wave for LINK prices is still possible before a potential bottom.

Chainlink bulls have defended the $8 support level valiantly over the past two weeks. The Chainlink reserve climbed to 2 million tokens, valued at around $17 million.

The positive Spot ETF inflows to LINK also showed steady demand for the altcoin.

AMBCrypto had reported that the token was trading within a long-term symmetrical triangle pattern. The weekly RSI dropped to 32 for the first time in LINK’s history.

A lower-timeframe bullish flag pattern developed in recent weeks, contrasting with the higher-timeframe momentum. This has increased the expectations of a short-term bullish breakout.

Rising accumulation trends reflect long-term holder conviction

The Holder Accumulation Ratio metric on Glassnode measures the portion of active holders who are buying or accumulating. It is calculated as the ratio of holders who increased their positions to all holders who saw a change in their balance.

Toward the end of January, the metric fell to a low of 66.06%. This month, the ratio has soared to 74.8%. The ratio has been below the 67%-69% area for most of the past two years.

The rising accumulation trends coincided with sideways price movement and some selling pressure from short-term holders.

Santiment data captured how the 3-month LINK holder cohort was facing sizeable losses. The 90-day MVRV ratio of 24.29% meant that the average LINK buyer in the past three months was facing a 24% loss.

At the same time, the 90-day Mean Coin Age has plunged considerably.

Together, it showed that the 3-month-old Chainlink [LINK] holder cohort, who fell into the short-term holder category, were aggressively selling Chainlink tokens over the past three weeks.

Meanwhile, the 180-day Dormant Circulation remained quiet.

The 180-day Mean Coin Age continued its steady uptrend as well. These metrics suggested that the longer-term holders remained sidelined or were adding to their holdings.

There was no spike in this age group’s dormant circulation, which would have indicated a wave of selling pressure.

Overall, it remained possible that Chainlink bulls can recover from the setbacks in recent months.

However, there was a more pessimistic view that investors should consider, too.

The final capitulation from the long-term holders has not yet taken place. Therefore, there is no rush to buy- it is also possible that LINK prices have to undergo one more bearish impulse wave.


Final Summary

  • The Chainlink accumulation ratio rose in recent weeks alongside evidence that longer-term holders refused to sell their holdings.
  • This could be a sign that the final LINK holder capitulation has not taken place yet, a sobering thought for underwater investors.

Related Questions

QWhat is the current Chainlink accumulation ratio and what does it indicate about holder behavior?

AThe Chainlink accumulation ratio has risen to 74.8% this month, up from a low of 66.06% at the end of January. This indicates that a significant portion of active holders are accumulating or increasing their positions, reflecting strong conviction among long-term holders who are refusing to sell despite recent price pressures.

QWhat bearish signal suggests that a final capitulation from long-term LINK holders might still be ahead?

AThe article suggests that the final capitulation from long-term holders has not yet occurred, indicating that LINK prices might need to undergo one more bearish impulse wave. This is a key bearish signal for investors to watch, as the absence of a final sell-off from long-term holders could mean further downside pressure.

QHow have short-term LINK holders (3-month cohort) been behaving recently according to Santiment data?

AAccording to Santiment data, the 3-month LINK holder cohort has been aggressively selling their tokens over the past three weeks. The 90-day MVRV ratio of -24.29% shows that the average buyer from this period is facing a 24% loss, and the plunge in the 90-day Mean Coin Age confirms their selling activity.

QWhat does the steady uptrend in the 180-day Mean Coin Age and quiet Dormant Circulation indicate about long-term holders?

AThe steady uptrend in the 180-day Mean Coin Age and the quiet 180-day Dormant Circulation indicate that longer-term holders are either holding their positions steady or accumulating more LINK. There is no significant selling pressure from this group, as no spike in dormant circulation has been observed.

QWhat contrasting patterns are currently observed in LINK's price action on different timeframes?

AOn the higher timeframe, LINK is trading within a long-term symmetrical triangle pattern with a weekly RSI at a historic low of 32. Conversely, a lower-timeframe bullish flag pattern has developed in recent weeks, increasing expectations for a short-term bullish breakout despite the overall bearish momentum on higher timeframes.

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