Bitmine Adds 154K ETH, Bringing Total Stake to $5.62B
Crypto infrastructure firm Bitmine, led by Tom Lee, has significantly expanded its position in Ethereum staking. In a major move today, Bitmine staked an additional 154,304 ETH, bringing its total staked ETH to 1.68 million — currently valued at $5.62 billion. This makes Bitmine one of the largest institutional ETH stakers globally and a key player in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake (PoS) ecosystem. The company’s growing stake shows long-term confidence in Ethereum’s future as a decentralized financial layer.
Why Ethereum Staking Matters
Ethereum transitioned to a proof-of-stake model in 2022, requiring validators to stake ETH to help secure the network. In return, they earn rewards in ETH, similar to earning interest. Staking is not just about passive income; it’s about contributing to the network’s stability and decentralization. Bitmine’s aggressive ETH staking strategy reflects a strategic bet on Ethereum’s dominance in smart contracts, DeFi, and token infrastructure. By locking up such a large amount of ETH, Bitmine also reduces liquid supply, potentially impacting price dynamics.
TODAY: Tom Lee’s Bitmine staked another 154,304 $ETH, taking total staked $ETH to 1.68M worth $5.62B. pic.twitter.com/15Z8maSpx1
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) January 15, 2026
Institutional Interest in Ethereum Grows
The fact that Bitmine controls over 1.68M ETH shows how deeply institutional players are engaging with Ethereum’s ecosystem. With ETH ETFs on the horizon and rising demand for decentralized applications, staking becomes both a financial and technological commitment. Bitmine’s massive stake sends a clear signal: Ethereum remains a top-tier investment for crypto institutions, and staking is now a core component of that strategy.