Ethereum Hits $2,000 Milestone as BitMine Accumulates 40,000 ETH in a Single Day, Signaling Institutional Moves

Updated: 2026-02-10 10:36

Ethereum Price has seen a significant pullback amid recent market volatility. According to Gate market data, as of February 10, 2026, the ETH price stands at $2,019, down roughly 60% from its recent peak. Despite this correction, renowned Wall Street strategist and BitMine Chairman Tom Lee has taken a contrarian approach. His company continued to accumulate ETH aggressively during the price slump and publicly predicted a V-shaped recovery for Ethereum.

Market Overview: Ethereum’s Deep Correction and Technical Rebound

Ethereum currently sits at a critical technical juncture. According to the latest data from the Gate platform, ETH briefly fell below the psychological $2,000 mark on February 10, with a 24-hour drop of 3.75%.

The market then saw a technical rebound, pushing the price back above $2,100. These sharp swings highlight the fragility of market sentiment. Data from the derivatives market reveals even deeper caution: the annualized premium for two-month ETH futures is about 3%, below the neutral range of 5%, indicating that risk appetite remains weak. On a broader scale, Ethereum has underperformed the overall market by about 9% since the start of 2026.

Wall Street Bulls Go Against the Grain: Tom Lee’s ETH Accumulation Strategy

Amid Ethereum’s sharp correction, BitMine Immersion Technologies, chaired by Tom Lee, executed a bold contrarian move. The company recently disclosed that it purchased over 40,000 ETH in a single day, bringing its total Ethereum holdings to approximately 4.325 million ETH.

Despite the market downturn, Lee publicly expressed strong confidence in a V-shaped recovery for Ethereum. Citing historical data, he noted that since 2018, Ethereum has experienced eight instances of declines of 50% or more from recent highs, each followed by a V-shaped rebound. However, Tom Lee’s public statements differ notably from internal reports at his firm, Fundstrat.

According to Fundstrat’s 2026 Crypto Outlook, the firm anticipates a significant pullback in crypto assets in the first half of 2026, with ETH potentially dropping to the $1,800–$2,000 range.

Dissenting Views: Market Skepticism Toward Tom Lee’s Theory

Not all market observers share Tom Lee’s optimism. Andrew Kang, a partner at Mechanism, has publicly criticized Tom Lee’s Ethereum thesis, calling it "one of the dumbest theories ever cobbled together from financially illiterate arguments."

Kang’s main critique centers on Ethereum’s value accrual mechanism. He points out that despite a surge in stablecoin and tokenized asset activity, Ethereum network fee revenue has not grown proportionally. On the technical front, Kang also holds a different view, suggesting that Ethereum may oscillate between $1,000 and $4,800 for an extended period, rather than experiencing the sustained rally predicted by Tom Lee.

Technical Analysis: Key Price Levels and Market Signals

From a technical analysis perspective, Ethereum is at a pivotal decision point. According to Gate’s real-time data, ETH is currently trading near $2,019, with a 24-hour trading volume of $378.35 million, indicating continued market activity.

Ethereum Real-Time Data Overview (Gate Data, as of February 10, 2026)

Category Metric Value
Price Data Current Price $2,019
24h Change -0.5%
24h High $2,147.6
24h Low $1,996
All-Time High $4,946.05
Market Cap Market Cap $252.82B
Market Share 10.04%
Supply Data Circulating Supply 120.69M ETH
Max Supply Unlimited

Analysts note that ETH/USD is currently testing a long-term uptrend line that began in 2020, which now sits around $2,150.

Looking at technical indicators, Ethereum’s daily RSI30 has dropped to 32. Historically, except during the 2018 bear market, this level has typically offered long-term investors a low-risk, high-reward entry point.

Outlook: Fundamental Drivers Shaping Ethereum’s Future

Looking ahead, Ethereum’s price trajectory will be influenced by multiple factors. On the technology front, Ethereum is planning a major upgrade called "Glamsterdam" in the second half of 2026, which is expected to significantly reduce gas fees and boost network throughput.

The macro liquidity environment will also play a crucial role. Federal Reserve policy, global geopolitical developments, and the degree of acceptance of crypto assets by traditional financial institutions could all become key variables affecting Ethereum’s price.

From a valuation standpoint, several institutions remain bullish on Ethereum’s long-term prospects. Standard Chartered previously predicted that Ethereum could reach $12,000 in 2026 and $18,000 in 2027.

Ethereum Price Forecast Reference

  • Short-term Support and Resistance: Key support lies in the $2,020–$2,050 range, with primary resistance at $2,150–$2,165.
  • Long-term Technical Target: If Ethereum can hold the long-term trendline support, technical analysis suggests a potential move toward the $6,190–$6,200 region in the future.
  • Institutional Long-Term Forecast: While Fundstrat’s internal report remains cautious in the short term, it still maintains a long-term target of $4,500 for Ethereum by the end of 2026.

As Ethereum’s price hovers around $2,000 on the Gate platform, BitMine’s holdings have quietly risen to the forefront of the industry. Meanwhile, the divergence between Fundstrat’s internal report and Tom Lee’s public statements underscores Wall Street’s complex stance of "long-term bullishness but short-term caution" toward crypto assets. The Ethereum network continues to evolve, with daily transaction volumes in the millions and active address counts remaining high. Every dip on the price chart may later be seen as a strategic buying opportunity. Ultimately, the true direction of the market will be determined by on-chain transactions, ongoing developer innovation, and the global flow of capital.

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