Chainlink (LINK) is driving the betting market for the 2026 World Cup, but the coin is still trading around 7.94 USD, close to its 90-day low.

This disconnect reflects a familiar pattern in the crypto space, as the real-world usage of the Chainlink network is on the rise, yet the price of LINK is still tied to the overall market sentiment.

Chainlink is driving the World Cup betting market.

Chainlink provides oracle infrastructure that brings real-world data, such as match results, onto the blockchain. Prediction markets use that data to automatically settle bets.

ADI Predictstreet has become the first official prediction market partner of the tournament, operating on Chainlink's oracle with Myriad, which is backed by Tom Lee. ConsenSys also used this method to settle over 75 World Cup contracts.

On Polymarket, the World Cup winner market alone attracted nearly 2.2 billion USD in bets. Additionally, the platform features crypto markets that settle every 5 or 15 minutes.

These markets utilize Chainlink Data Streams and cover hundreds of coin pairs. Chainlink states that these markets have processed over 7 billion USD in value within just a few months.

There's no hype behind it either; social volume remains at the average level of May, not exceeding that. Real-world usage isn't stemming from mass hype, Santiment stated.

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4 days. 8 new prediction market integrations. 100s of new markets. The DeFi moment for prediction markets is here, and it’s powered by Chainlink. Explore the ecosystem 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/X2UVAd6rjX

— Chainlink (@chainlink) June 12, 2026

The price of LINK remains tied to macro factors.

Despite real-world usage, LINK is still trading about 23% below May's peak. This coin is moving in accordance with the risk-off sentiment in the crypto market and other risky assets throughout June.

Bitcoin's weakness is impacting the overall market, and altcoins like LINK often amplify that movement. The reduced risk appetite is also limiting recovery during this phase.

The number of daily active addresses on Chainlink surged to 5,679 addresses on June 5, marking the busiest day of the same quarter. On that same day, LINK also hit a 90-day low. However, the increased usage didn’t help push the price up.

The competition is following its own course while the token continues to move in line with macro factors, Santiment added.

Analysts are on the lookout for LINK's bottom.

Even though LINK is weak, Joao Wedson, founder of the analytics firm Alphractal, stated that LINK is entering another 'accumulation phase.' He noted that large holders have started accumulating more, while this altcoin is trading below the average investment price of holders.

There are still lower price levels that have historically served as actual price bases. It’s a true accumulation phase; BTC might still drop further, but LINK seems to be forming a bottom price now, Wedson predicted.

Santiment's assessment offers a different perspective. The company’s data shows that price movements are following macro factors, not actual usage. Therefore, the bottom has yet to be confirmed at this time.

As Chainlink’s infrastructure continues to expand, its token is still waiting for macro factors to dictate its path. The upcoming week of competition will be a test of whether increased usage can lift LINK's price out of the lows.

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