Crypto markets love a good rivalry, especially when leadership keeps changing. Hyperliquid price dominated conversations through 2025, while LINK price spent much of that year trying to regain its footing. A fresh shift appears to be forming as 2026 begins, and charts are starting to tell a different story. According to analyst Our Crypto Talk, the balance between HYPE and LINK may already be tilting again.
Hyperliquid entered 2025 with momentum and never really let go. HYPE price surged as the project gained attention in DeFi, managing to outperform LINK price over the year. Our Crypto Talk pointed out that HYPE flipping LINK during 2025 reflected how quickly capital rotated toward newer narratives.
That move mattered because Chainlink has long been viewed as a core DeFi infrastructure name. Hyperliquid price outperforming LINK price signaled that traders were willing to take risk on emerging platforms. Competition from projects like ASTER also made the rally more impressive, since HYPE managed to break through during a crowded period for new protocols.
Why LINK Price Is Showing Strength Going Into 2026
Momentum does not stay one sided forever. Our Crypto Talk highlighted that LINK price has started to reclaim ground in early 2026, even managing to flip HYPE in recent performance. Chainlink price action this week stands out because it held above $10 during a broader downtrend.
Charts shared by Our Crypto Talk show LINK printing a green candle on the 3-day timeframe, a sign that buyers stepped in at a level that has mattered for nearly 2 years. That trendline support continues to hold, giving Chainlink price a more stable structure compared to HYPE price at the moment.
HYPE price is not breaking down, though the structure looks less convincing short term. Our Crypto Talk noted that Hyperliquid is still trying to flip a golden pocket resistance into solid support. Price rejection at that zone has limited follow-through so far.
That rejection does not erase the gains from 2025. HYPE price still reflects a successful breakout year and remains relevant within the DeFi conversation. Chart behavior suggests that Hyperliquid may need more time before the next sustained move develops.
Chainlink continues to benefit from its long-standing role within institutional-focused infrastructure. Our Crypto Talk emphasized that this angle often gives LINK an edge when market conditions shift toward stability and structure.
Large cap context also matters here. LINK and HYPE both sit within a size range where capital rotation can happen without extreme volatility. Chainlink price holding long term support levels reinforces its appeal during periods when traders prioritize reliability over hype driven momentum.
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Why The HYPE And LINK Battle Still Matters In 2026
Leadership changes between Hyperliquid price and LINK price highlight how dynamic DeFi remains. Our Crypto Talk described this rivalry as one worth watching because each flip reflects where confidence is moving.
Both projects could perform well through 2026 given their scale and relevance. Current price action favors LINK, though HYPE remains a strong contender after its 2025 run. Watching how these charts evolve may offer useful context for understanding where DeFi attention flows next.
Markets rarely move in straight lines, and this back and forth between HYPE and LINK shows how quickly narratives can shift. The coming months may reveal whether Chainlink price continues to build on this structure or whether Hyperliquid price finds another breakout moment.
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