Chainlink Leads Altcoin Rally as Crypto Market Cap Surges to $2.66 Trillion
The crypto market is experiencing a broad rally, with the overall market capitalization rising to $2.66 trillion, up 2.2% in the last 24 hours, according to Investing.com analysis.
This surge in altcoins has pushed the sentiment index close to the extreme-greed threshold, a level not seen since mid-2025. A rate-hiking cycle is being interpreted as a positive sign for risk appetite, and crypto markets are once again leading the charge.
The standout performer among altcoins is Chainlink (LINK), which has bucked the trend of deep YTD losses with a modest gain of 0.15%. This resilience can be attributed to several factors, including its potential for significant fee revenue growth, institutional tailwinds from partners like Charles Schwab, and a differentiated narrative that sets it apart from competitors.
The technicals also support the bullish thesis, with daily and weekly signals reading Strong Buy on September 18. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 58.96 is the least stretched among the three assets analyzed, indicating a more sustainable trend compared to Ethereum and Solana.