Key highlights:
- BitMine has staked an additional 186,560 ETH, bringing total holdings to 1.53 million ETH, or 4% of all staked Ethereum.
- The company maintains over 4 million ETH in reserve, allowing future staking growth to 5–6% of the supply.
- BitMine’s portfolio also includes BTC, fiat, and equity, showing Ethereum is the primary long-term investment.
BitMine set a new Ethereum staking record by adding 186,560 ETH to its holdings, bringing the total to 1.53 million ETH, valued at roughly $5.13 billion at current exchange rates. This represents approximately 4% of all 36 million ETH staked on the Beacon Chain, meaning one in every 25 staked coins is now controlled by the company.
The company maintains over 4 million ETH in reserve, of which only 37% is currently staked. Analysts suggest that at the current growth rate, BitMine could increase its share to 5-6% of the total Ethereum supply.
This milestone comes just days after the company surpassed the 1 million coin staked mark, reflecting a rapid expansion in its Ethereum holdings.
BitMine’s portfolio
As of January 12, BitMine’s assets included:
- 4,167,768 ETH
- 192 BTC
- Almost $1 billion in fiat
- $23 million in Eightco Holdings shares
This structure indicates that Ethereum is the company’s primary long-term investment. Bitcoin plays a smaller role, while cash reserves provide flexibility for additional acquisitions or staking.
BitMine chairman Tom Lee projected optimism for 2026 despite a turbulent 2025. He indicated that the leverage reduction in late 2025 resembled a “mini-crypto winter,” but expected a recovery in 2026, with stronger gains in 2027-2028.
Lee’s confidence is reflected in the company’s continued expansion of Ethereum positions.
Analysis of market implications
The concentration of 4% of all Ethereum staking in one company mirrors early Bitcoin mining history, when a few large pools dominated the network. Economists describe this as a natural transition from decentralization to oligopolies in capital-intensive sectors.
Large stakers like BitMine gain disproportionate influence over protocol governance, potentially shaping the development of Ethereum. Historical examples, such as the SegWit standoff in Bitcoin, highlight risks when dominant stakeholders block key upgrades.
Experts note that such concentration could lead to a “crypto aristocracy” with the power to influence the broader ecosystem.
Source: https://coincodex.com/article/80114/bitmine-took-control-of-4-percent-of-all-36-million-staked-ethereum-coins/
