Chainlink has drawn renewed attention following digital assets research from Standard Chartered that predicts substantial growth in tokenized assets and decentralized finance over the coming years. The bank estimates that tokenized assets on public blockchains will reach $4 trillion by 2028, creating a significant opportunity for infrastructure providers like Chainlink. The projection comes as major financial institutions—including BlackRock, which launched its tokenized treasury fund BUIDL on Ethereum in 2024—have already begun moving real-world assets onto public blockchains, lending tangible weight to forecasts of accelerated institutional adoption.

A rumored target price of $200 for LINK by 2030 has been linked to research conducted by the bank. However, the figure appears to be derived from a general assessment of Chainlink's role in tokenization rather than an explicit price forecast issued by Standard Chartered analyst Geoffrey Kendrick.

Standard Chartered's Tokenization Outlook

According to Standard Chartered, tokenized assets on public blockchains are projected to reach $4 trillion by the end of 2028. The forecast encompasses stablecoins as well as tokenized real-world assets, including bonds and investment vehicles.

This projection reflects growing demand among traditional financial institutions for blockchain-based solutions to transfer financial assets. Standard Chartered also anticipates substantial growth in decentralized finance. Kendrick forecasts that total value locked in DeFi will increase approximately 37-fold to $2.7 trillion by 2030. Additionally, Kendrick projects that AAVE will reach $3,500 and UNI will reach $100.

Why Chainlink Could Benefit

Chainlink is closely aligned with the tokenization trend because its framework enables blockchain systems to interact with external data sources and communicate across networks. As the largest oracle network by total value secured, Chainlink already supplies price feeds, proof-of-reserve data, and automation services to a wide range of DeFi protocols, giving it an established foothold that could extend into institutional-grade tokenization use cases.

Its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), launched on mainnet in 2023, specifically facilitates the transfer of information and assets between blockchains—a capability that may become increasingly critical as tokenized financial products expand across multiple platforms. SWIFT, the global financial messaging network, has also conducted cross-chain token transfer experiments using CCIP in partnership with Chainlink, signaling interest from the traditional financial infrastructure layer.

In Q1 2026, CCIP processed approximately $18 billion in transaction volume. Chainlink has also established collaborations with major financial institutions on blockchain and tokenization initiatives, including projects associated with Standard Chartered and Brazil's central bank.

The potential value of LINK is tied to growing demand for these services. As trillions of dollars in assets become tokenized, Chainlink's infrastructure could see increased utilization.

$200 Target Hinges on Adoption

The case for LINK reaching $200 depends on multiple factors. Chainlink must maintain its dominant position in oracle and interoperability services while CCIP continues to grow. Competition could impact LINK's trajectory, as other protocols—including LayerZero, Wormhole in cross-chain interoperability and Pyth Network in oracle services—are also building infrastructure that could challenge Chainlink's market position. Additionally, the regulatory environment will play a crucial role in institutional tokenization adoption, with frameworks such as the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation shaping how financial institutions engage with public blockchains.

For Chainlink, ongoing CCIP development provides an important foundation, but the outcome will depend on how quickly tokenized assets gain mainstream traction and how many transactions Chainlink captures. The $200 figure represents a long-term scenario rather than a guaranteed outcome.

Nevertheless, Standard Chartered's $4 trillion tokenization forecast underscores why Chainlink remains a project to watch as traditional finance continues moving into blockchain territory.