- BitMine boosts ETH staking to $1.7B, signaling shift from speculation to predictable revenue via Ethereum validation rewards.
- Chairman Tom Lee proposes raising authorized shares from 500M to 50B, sparking debate over potential stock dilution.
- Despite controversy, BitMine continues ETH accumulation, projecting ETH $7K–$9K in early 2026 and long-term upside.
BitMine is rapidly staking Ethereum, signaling a strategic shift toward income generation over price speculation. Since launching its staking services on December 27, the firm has pledged a total of 544,064 ETH, valued at approximately $1.7 billion at current prices.
This accounts for around 13% of BitMine’s estimated 4.11 million ETH holdings. Besides staking, the company recently purchased 32,938 ETH for over $102 million, further boosting its treasury above 4 million ETH, worth more than $12 billion. These aggressive moves position BitMine as one of the largest corporate Ethereum stakers in the market.
The firm’s chairman, Tom Lee, actively promoted a plan to increase BitMine’s authorized share capital drastically. The proposal would raise the ceiling from 500 million to 50 billion shares.
Lee explained, “When the share ceiling goes up, the company has the opportunity to raise more money opportunistically and make acquisitions, as well as make future stock splits.” The announcement triggered a 14% surge in BitMine Immersion’s equity. Consequently, investors are closely evaluating both the potential benefits and risks of the proposal.
Ethereum-Focused Strategy Drives Corporate Staking
BitMine’s pivot to Ethereum-centric operations reflects its intent to generate recurring staking rewards rather than speculate on short-term price movements. By locking ETH in the network’s validation system, the firm secures predictable income streams.
Moreover, the speed and scale of staking highlight an intensified focus on revenue growth. “Most people want stocks around $25,” Lee noted, emphasizing accessibility while scaling alongside Ethereum’s expansion.
However, the proposal to increase authorized shares has sparked controversy. Critics argue that inflating the share count could dilute existing stock value. One user commented, “Tom, this seems shady and silly to raise the share count just because the stock could hit $500.”
Nevertheless, BitMine is still acquiring ETH and staking it wisely, with faith in its future performance. Lee predicted a target range for ETH to move between $7,000 and $9,000 in 2026.