Chainlink's CCIP protocol saw 50+ integrations in 2025, enabling data flow between ETH, Solana, and Cosmos. This fuels cross-chain DeFi (e.g., Aave's multi-chain lending), with market acceptance rising: 30% of new DeFi projects use CCIP. Competitors like Wormhole (faster) and Axelar (cheaper) challenge its premium pricing, but Chainlink's audit history and Google Cloud partnership sustain trust. Its role as multi-chain data infrastructure solidifies LINK's utility, driving 180% price growth in 2024.