- Grayscale is promoting altcoin ETFs such as Chainlink, XRP, and Dogecoin to meet the growing demand of non-Bitcoin investors.
- Pandor sees Bitcoin’s 30% decline as normal and expects demand to remain strong, although he remains silent on plans for an IPO.
In a recent interview on Thinking Crypto, Zach Pandl, head of research at Grayscale Investments, talked about the launch of a new spot altcoin exchange traded fund (ETF) that includes Chainlink, XRP, and Dogecoin. This move comes after several years of product development and is based on Grayscale’s experience with Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
According to Pandl, Chainlink’s role in enabling the tokenization of real-world assets is central to its value. “Chainlink is a cryptocurrency project that actually does this,” he said. Its technology provides the tools and compliance structures financial institutions need to interact with decentralized networks.
pendle I felt stressed ETFs offer investors an easy way to gain exposure to LINK. He emphasized its importance in future developments including stablecoins, decentralized finance, and public blockchains. He also said that Chainlink’s Oracle technology is also used in projects that are considered competitors.
“Chainlink will become a critical infrastructure and essential utility in our future vision.”
XRP ETF Sees Strong Inflows, Dogecoin Adds Diversity
The XRP ETF was launched under the ticker GXRP and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange Arca on November 24, 2025. On the first day of trading, it recorded approximately $67 million. Pandl described XRP as a “thoroughly tested” network, originally designed for payments but now expanding its uses beyond cross-border transfers.
The ETF rollout followed a lengthy process that first introduced Bitcoin ETFs to the U.S. market, followed by Ethereum. Pandor said the pace of approvals for altcoin ETFs is accelerating as regulatory procedures become clearer. “The process is starting to accelerate,” he said, acknowledging improved regulatory guidance.
Grayscale’s services also include Dogecoin, which Pandl described as “a different flavor” and acknowledged its origins as a meme token, but noted its continued relevance. He highlighted the increasing diversity of crypto products currently available through ETFs. The company aims to allow investors to build “fairly high-quality crypto portfolios” using regulated products.
Grayscale future plans and market sentiment
Pandor confirmed in the interview that Grayscale is also exploring the possibility of launching a Zcash ETF. He argued that privacy remains an important factor for broader adoption, especially among institutional users. “If institutions are going to start using these assets, they’re going to need privacy,” he said, calling Zcash a leader among privacy-focused coins.
Regarding market conditions, Pandor noted that Bitcoin has fallen about 30% from its October high, but the correction is typical. “A 30% pullback actually equates to an average drawdown,” he explained. He rejected claims that the bullish cycle was nearing an end and expressed confidence in continued demand from macroeconomic trends and institutional interests.
Pandor also mentioned Grayscale’s IPO plans, but said he could not elaborate further as the company is currently in a quiet period. He acknowledged that there will be a broad push for an IPO in 2026 and said he would provide updates when possible.
