BitMine Adds to ETH Treasury as Bear-Market Accumulation Nears $10B

BitMine Immersion Technologies has continued adding to its Ethereum position despite a persistent downturn in crypto markets. In a report filed on Monday, the crypto treasury company said it purchased 76,881 ETH over the prior week, further lowering (or at least supporting) its overall cost basis as Ether moved in a volatile range during that period.

The acquisition brings BitMine’s total holdings to 5,620,754 ETH, with an average purchase price of $1,718. While the company has been steadily accumulating through bearish conditions, the scale of its exposure means the treasury remains deeply sensitive to ETH price swings—especially as its strategy relies on both asset ownership and staking-related yield.

Key takeaways

• BitMine bought 76,881 ETH in the last week, bringing holdings to 5,620,754 ETH at an average cost of $1,718.
• At around Monday’s reported market price of $1,843.69, BitMine’s ETH portfolio is valued near $10.2 billion, with an estimated unrealized loss close to $9 billion.
• BitMine controls about 4.66% of ETH’s circulating supply and is moving closer to its stated 5% target (based on 120.68 million circulating ETH).
• The company has staked more than 4.1 million ETH, generating recurring rewards that can continue even when spot prices weaken.
• Ethereum’s environment is under strain not only from price performance but also from structural concerns around layer-2 economics and Ethereum Foundation departures.

BitMine keeps accumulating as ETH trades below prior levels

According to BitMine’s Monday disclosure, the treasury added 76,881 ETH over the preceding week. The purchases took place during a period when Ether briefly dipped below $1,600, according to Cointelegraph’s reference to price action. The broader point, as emphasized by the company’s ongoing behavior, is that accumulation has continued regardless of whether ETH is rebounding or falling.

As of the latest reporting, BitMine’s average acquisition price stands at $1,718. At the time CoinMarketCap data was referenced (Ether trading at $1,843.69 on Monday), the company’s ETH stash was estimated at roughly $10.2 billion.

That figure also highlights the trade-off inherent in a long-duration treasury approach: DropsTab data cited in the report indicates BitMine is sitting on an unrealized loss of nearly $9 billion at current prices. For investors watching large-ETH holders, this matters because it illustrates how treasury strategies can be simultaneously yield-oriented (through staking) and mark-to-market exposed when market conditions deteriorate.

Approaching a “large holder” milestone—while staking supplies yield

BitMine’s latest purchases bring it closer to a stated ambition: owning 5% of Ethereum’s total circulating supply. Based on the cited circulating figure of 120.68 million ETH, the company controls approximately 4.66% after the most recent acquisition.

Just as important is the company’s staking footprint. The report notes that BitMine has staked more than 4.1 million ETH, worth about $8.1 billion at current prices at the time of writing. Staking allows the treasury to earn protocol rewards by helping secure the Ethereum network, creating a more stable stream of yield compared with holding un-staked assets.

In practice, that means BitMine’s economics are not tied purely to whether ETH spot rises or falls. Even during weaker price periods, staking rewards can partially offset losses—though they do not remove the underlying exposure to ETH’s market price.

ETFs face outflows as Ethereum’s broader fundamentals come under scrutiny

BitMine’s accumulation is unfolding amid a wider backdrop that has been difficult for Ethereum-related products. The article links the treasury’s pressure to this year’s selloff in digital asset prices, pointing to spot Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that recorded four consecutive days of net outflows “last week.” It also notes that selling pressure has persisted since early May, with daily net outflows exceeding $60 million on several occasions.

In the US market, BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) is cited as the largest US-listed ETH ETF, with net assets of $4.75 billion. The filing is described as representing 2.36% of crypto’s circulating supply, with its trend referenced via SoSoValue charts.

The key tension for readers is that large-scale accumulation by a treasury entity does not automatically translate into improved ETF demand or stronger near-term flows. ETF outflows can signal that many investors remain focused on risk reduction or wait-and-see positioning, even as some participants continue adding to long-term holdings.

Beyond price: layer-2 fee dynamics and Ethereum Foundation turnover

While spot performance and fund flows matter, the report argues that Ethereum also faces structural uncertainties. One concern raised is the effect of Ethereum’s layer-2 scaling strategy. As more transaction activity moves to layer-2 networks, the Ethereum mainnet captures less transaction-fee revenue and burns less ETH. Since parts of Ethereum’s monetary narrative are tied to fee burning, reduced burn could weaken deflationary dynamics relative to prior expectations.

Separately, the article points to internal changes at the Ethereum Foundation. It says that at least nine senior leaders, researchers, and core contributors have departed the nonprofit so far this year—described as one of the largest waves of talent attrition in its history. The departures are framed as coinciding with an organizational overhaul and renewed community debate over Ethereum Foundation governance, strategic direction, and its long-term role in the ecosystem.

For market participants, this type of organizational churn can matter less for day-to-day price moves and more for expectations around development priorities and execution risk—especially in a period where scaling, fee capture, and long-term network economics are already being debated.

What to watch next

BitMine’s next disclosures will be important to monitor for changes in acquisition pace and how much of its growing ETH exposure remains staked. At the same time, Ethereum investors should keep an eye on ETF flow trends and the evolving debate around layer-2 economics—alongside any further transparency around Ethereum Foundation staffing and governance—as these factors collectively shape confidence in the network’s longer-run trajectory.