This altcoin has just 'transformed' after 3 years of being dormant: Could the FOMO effect drive the price up to 95 USD?

After months of quiet Accumulation, Chainlink (LINK) is gradually becoming the focal point of the crypto market. While most altcoins are still struggling in a sideways trend, LINK has quietly broken above $21.7, opening up the prospect of a new bullish cycle. The combination of strong technical signals, evident Accumulation behavior from whales, declining liquidity on the exchange, and a positive macro backdrop could be the catalyst for LINK to enter a multi-stage bullish cycle — with a final target of up to $95, according to on-chain expert Ali Martinez's analysis.

Technical Picture: Symmetrical Triangle Pattern Lasting 3 Years

From a technical analysis perspective, LINK is trading within a symmetrical triangle that has formed since the beginning of 2021. This is a classic chart pattern that typically appears after long-term bullish trends and signals an accumulation phase before the price continues to explode. The upper edge of the triangle is currently around the $24 area — acting as a key resistance level that, if broken, could trigger a strong and prolonged bullish trend.

Currently, LINK has surpassed the 200-day EMA and is holding steady above the dynamic support level around $21.15–$21.7, indicating that buying pressure is dominating in the accumulation zone. The convergence between the long-term technical resistance level and positive on-chain factors is creating a "spring compression" situation — just waiting for a breakout to release the momentum accumulated over the past 3 years.

LINK price chart 1 day with EMA200 | Source: TradingView## Whales and institutions Accumulation: Is a surprise attack forming?

On-chain data from Santiment and Lookonchain shows that whales have been actively accumulating LINK over the past few weeks. Specifically:

In addition to individual investors, institutions are also showing signs of jumping in. The Chainlink Reserve Fund, a treasury-backed accumulation fund, has purchased an additional 65,550 LINK ( worth approximately 1.4 million USD) at an average price of just $16.83. Notably, this investment is being implemented under a corporate treasury model - similar to how Strategy accumulates Bitcoin - signaling a long-term belief in the intrinsic value of LINK.

Liquidity Shrinks: The FOMO Effect is Ready to Explode

As the supply on the exchange continues to decrease, a liquidity shortage begins to form – and that is the ideal condition for a widespread FOMO event to occur when prices break out. In the history of the crypto market, periods of tightening liquidity often lead to sudden bullish spikes when demand outstrips supply in the short term.

In addition, the open contract volume (OI) in the derivatives market has increased by 27%, reaching 1.06 billion dollars, indicating that large traders are increasing their long positions and making strong bets on the bullish potential of LINK. The simultaneous rise of derivative positions and the decrease in spot supply is often a formula that leads to a short squeeze or a strong breakout.

Macroeconomic factors supporting: The boost from the new 401(k) policy

Adding fuel to the fire is a new emerging macro factor: The recent executive order by Donald Trump paves the way for cryptocurrencies to be included in 401(k) retirement accounts in the US. This is a groundbreaking change, as pension funds are where trillions of USD in assets are concentrated and typically have a long-term outlook.

The access of LINK and crypto assets to this capital flow not only expands legitimacy but also brings stable and consistent buy pressure, helping to reinforce the bullish trend in the long term. In the context of Chainlink serving as the hub of decentralized oracle services — which are crucial in both DeFi and enterprise solutions — this policy move could significantly increase demand for LINK.

Price trajectory: From $24 to $95 — but not overnight

According to Ali Martinez's analysis, if LINK breaks through the resistance level around $24, the market may witness a distinct three-phase bullish trend:

However, Martinez also noted that each growth phase may be accompanied by technical corrections or re-Accumulation, paving the way for the next demand to enter the market. Instead of a vertical spike, this cycle may be built in a more systematic and sustainable way – corresponding to the maturity of the crypto market in general.

Currently, all the important factors seem to be converging to create a major turning point for Chainlink. On a technical level, the symmetrical triangle pattern that has lasted for three years is gradually coming to an end — signaling the potential for a breakout when the price breaks through key resistance levels. At the same time, on-chain data shows that whale investors are actively accumulating, while the circulating supply of LINK on exchanges continues to decline, increasing the liquidity scarcity in the spot market. Additionally, the volume of derivative contracts is also rising sharply, reflecting a clear bullish expectation from professional traders. Finally, macro factors are also playing a significant supportive role: policies paving the way for cryptocurrencies to participate in retirement programs in the US could be a catalyst for LINK to access potentially significant long-term capital. With all these factors aligning, Chainlink is facing a rare opportunity to break out of the accumulation phase and enter a historically significant growth cycle.

If LINK can decisively break the $24 range, it is likely that the market will witness the beginning of a long-term growth cycle, ending a prolonged sideways period that has lasted since 2021. In a market that is hungry for clear investment stories and solid fundamentals, Chainlink could be the "underdog" that becomes the shining star in the upcoming altcoin season.

Lilly