BitMine Stakes Another 186,560 ETH, Total Surpasses 1.5 Million—Now Worth $5.13 Billion
At this moment, the Ethereum price on Gate stands at $3,100, down 3.4% over the past 24 hours.
This Ethereum digital asset reserve company now holds over 4 million ETH, accounting for 3.45% of Ethereum’s total supply—just one step away from its "5% Alchemy" strategic goal.
01 Industry Milestone
The crypto world has reached a major milestone. Ethereum digital asset reserve giant BitMine Immersion Technologies has staked over 1.5 million ETH, valued at $5.13 billion at current prices.
This means BitMine now controls 4% of all staked ETH on the Ethereum Beacon Chain, though this represents only 37% of its total holdings of over 4 million ETH.
BitMine’s pace from staking 1 million to surpassing 1.5 million ETH has been astonishing. Company Chairman Tom Lee recently stated, "We continue to view the leverage reset after October 10, 2025, as a ‘mini crypto winter’."
He predicts that 2026 will be a year of crypto price recovery, with even stronger growth expected in 2027–2028. This confidence is reflected in BitMine’s accelerated staking strategy.
02 Reserve Powerhouse
BitMine’s dominance in the digital asset reserve sector is undisputed. According to the latest data, the company holds 4,167,768 ETH, worth over $12 billion at Gate’s current price of $3,100 per ETH.
Notably, BitMine’s crypto portfolio extends beyond ETH. The company also holds 193 BTC, a $23 million equity stake in Eightco Holdings, and up to $988 million in cash reserves.
These figures make BitMine the world’s second-largest digital asset reserve company, trailing only MicroStrategy, which holds 687,410 BTC.
Tom Lee points out that BitMine remains the world’s largest "fresh capital" Ethereum buyer, having acquired 24,266 ETH in the past week alone, while also increasing its cash position by $73 million.
03 Staking Economics
When asked about the rationale behind large-scale ETH staking, Tom Lee offered a clear economic perspective. "At scale, Ethereum staking fees will reach $374 million annually, which is over $1 million per day."
This calculation is based on a 2.81% compounded Ethereum staking rate. For BitMine, staking isn’t just about supporting network security—it’s a key mechanism for converting idle assets into ongoing revenue.
Currently, BitMine is working with three staking service providers and is actively advancing its proprietary MAVAN network deployment.
"MAVAN will be a ‘best-in-class’ solution, providing secure staking infrastructure and is slated for deployment in early 2026," Tom Lee added. This move will reduce BitMine’s reliance on external providers while boosting staking efficiency and security.
04 The 5% Alchemy
BitMine’s core strategy is known as the "5% Alchemy"—aiming to accumulate 5% of Ethereum’s total supply. The company has already achieved nearly 70% of this goal, raising its ETH holdings to current levels in just six months.
To realize this ambitious target, BitMine requires ongoing capital infusions. The company has proposed increasing its authorized shares from 500 million to 50 billion.
In a video message to shareholders, Tom Lee explained the reasoning behind the share increase, emphasizing that the funding will provide financial flexibility for three strategic initiatives: conducting capital market activities, pursuing opportunistic acquisitions, and executing stock splits when share prices rise in the future.
05 Diversified Strategy
BitMine’s strategy goes far beyond accumulating Ethereum. On January 15, 2026, the company announced a $200 million investment in Beast Industries, founded by YouTube creator MrBeast.
Tom Lee commented, "MrBeast and Beast Industries are the leading content creators of our generation, unmatched in reach and engagement among Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and Millennials."
The deal is expected to close around January 19, 2026. This is seen as a strategic move for BitMine to expand its portfolio, combining traditional entertainment and digital influence with crypto assets.
BitMine’s role as a bridge between crypto and traditional investments makes it a unique choice for investors seeking digital asset exposure but preferring regulated equities.
06 Market Performance
BitMine’s aggressive asset accumulation strategy is beginning to pay off in the market. The company’s stock, BMNR, rose 3.8% in after-hours trading, reaching $32.35.
Since the start of 2026, the share price is up 11.5%, keeping pace with the broader crypto market rally. This performance has made BitMine one of the most actively traded stocks in the US, with average daily trading volume of $1.3 billion, ranking 67th among US-listed companies.
It’s also worth noting that, unlike many high-growth crypto stocks, BitMine recently announced an annual dividend of $0.01 per share. While the yield is modest, it sends a clear signal: the company aims to operate like a mature, large-cap financial entity.
Wall Street analysts are cautiously optimistic about BMNR. Of the three analysts covering the stock, two rate it a "Strong Buy" and one rates it "Hold," with an average price target of $53.50.
07 Looking Ahead
BitMine faces a pivotal decision at its annual shareholder meeting, to be held at the Wynn Las Vegas on January 15, 2026.
Shareholders will vote on whether to approve the increase in authorized shares—a decision that will directly impact the company’s ability to continue accumulating Ethereum at its current pace.
With the MAVAN network set to launch in Q1 2026, BitMine will be able to stake more ETH, turning its Ethereum holdings into a steady revenue stream. This shift from passive holding to active asset management could redefine the role of digital asset reserve companies.
Tom Lee’s outlook paints a bright future for BitMine. The company has observed that its share price tracks Ethereum’s price, with a coefficient of 0.015 times the ETH price plus the per-share appreciation of ETH.
Based on this model, Lee outlined scenarios where Ethereum reaches $22,000, $62,500, or even $250,000—implying BitMine’s share price could hit $500, $1,500, or $5,000, respectively.
Outlook
On January 13, Ethereum’s price hit a high of $3,380 on Gate, surging over 7% in 24 hours—the largest single-day gain since the start of 2026.
Driven by institutions like BitMine, Ethereum is breaking out of a two-month consolidation range. Every staking decision by this reserve giant, which holds over 4 million ETH, is like dropping a boulder into a calm lake.
With the MAVAN network launch imminent, BitMine will convert more "dormant" Ethereum into active assets generating over $1 million in daily revenue. The digital asset alchemy this company is building may be quietly reshaping the balance sheets of the crypto world.
