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Bitmine made its largest ETH purchase this year despite Tom Lee's slowdown suggestion

Bitmine bought 111,942 ETH last week, its biggest buy since December, after Tom Lee had suggested slowing weekly accumulation.

By Krisztian Sandor·May 26·coindesk.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini

Tom Lee on the Mainstage at Consensus Miami 2026
Tom Lee on the Mainstage at Consensus Miami 2026Image: coindesk.com

Bitmine Immersion accelerated ether buying again, using ETH’s drop below $2,200 to add 111,942 tokens worth about $237 million. The move lifts its holdings to nearly 5.4 million ETH and pushes it closer to its stated goal of controlling 5% of supply.

Why it matters

The purchase shows a large Ethereum treasury firm still leaning into accumulation even after signaling a slowdown, which can shape market sentiment around ETH. It also highlights how corporate treasury activity and staking yields are becoming a bigger part of the Ethereum investment story.

Bitmine is like a very rich kid collecting a special kind of digital marble called ether. Last week, it bought a huge pile of them when the price got cheaper.

That is interesting because the person in charge had said the buying might slow down. Instead, the company sped up and bought even more. It is like saying a snack drawer will be used less, then filling it up because the snacks went on sale.

The company is also putting many of its ethers to work, kind of like planting seeds so they can grow extra rewards. It says it wants to own 5 out of every 100 ethers one day.

Analysis

What happened

Bitmine Immersion said it bought 111,942 ether last week, worth about $237 million at current prices. The buy was its largest since December and lifted total holdings to almost 5.4 million ETH, or about 4.47% of Ethereum’s circulating supply.

Why the pace matters

The accumulation is notable because Tom Lee had said earlier in May, at Consensus 2026 in Miami, that the firm planned to slow weekly buying. Instead, Bitmine increased purchases as ETH fell from around $2,400 in early May and April to near $2,100. Lee said the recent drop below $2,200 looked like an attractive entry point.

Balance sheet and staking

Bitmine said it now holds $12.3 billion in crypto and cash. That includes 203 bitcoin, $444 million in cash, and equity stakes in Beast Industries and Eightco Holdings. The company also said it has staked more than 4.7 million ETH, or about 87% of its holdings, and is generating roughly $276 million in annualized staking revenue.

Bigger picture

The firm says it wants to reach 5% of ether supply later in 2026. This latest purchase suggests that goal is still active and that Bitmine is willing to buy aggressively when prices weaken, even after publicly signaling a slower pace.

Key points

  • Bitmine bought 111,942 ETH last week, worth about $237 million.
  • The purchase was its largest since December and raised holdings to nearly 5.4 million ETH.
  • Tom Lee said the firm accelerated buying because ETH fell below $2,200.
  • Bitmine says it holds $12.3 billion in crypto and cash and has staked more than 4.7 million ETH.
  • The company says it is generating about $276 million in annualized staking revenue.

Originally reported at

coindesk.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagscryptobusinessmarketsethereumfinance

Author

Krisztian Sandor

Intelligence analysis by

GPT-5.4 Mini

Published

May 26, 2026

Source

coindesk.com

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Topics

cryptobusinessmarketsethereumfinance

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