A method for multi-antenna processing in multi-link wireless communication systems includes transmitting by a first MLD, a first capability defining a first number of Spatial Streams (SS) supported by the first MLD for a single link exchange over one of a subset of links from a plurality of links between the first MLD and a second MLD. A second capability is transmitted by the first MLD defining a second number of SS supported by the first MLD for each link of a multi-link exchange. At least one Radio Frequency (RF) chain of the first MLD is configured to enable communication over the subset of links from the plurality of links.