Tom Lee's BitMine Buys $1.1 Billion in Ethereum and Sells Stock, Shares Fall 10%

Company Overview - BitMine Immersion, a Nasdaq-listed Bitcoin miner, has shifted its focus from Bitcoin mining to acquiring Ethereum, now holding a total of 2.42 million ETH valued at over $10 billion, representing 2% of the total ETH supply [1][2] - The company holds the largest Ethereum treasury among publicly traded firms and the second-largest overall crypto treasury, following Strategy's $72 billion Bitcoin stockpile [2] Financial Position - BitMine's balance sheet includes 192 Bitcoin worth $21.6 million, unencumbered cash of $345 million, and a $175 million stake in crypto treasury Eightco, totaling $11.4 billion [2] - The company announced a deal to sell $365.2 million worth of shares to an unnamed institutional investor, expected to be completed soon [3] Market Performance - BitMine's stock (BMNR) was trading nearly 10% lower at $55.30, although it remains up more than 3% over the past month [3] - Ethereum was recently trading at approximately $4,180 per coin, having dropped nearly 7% in a 24-hour period [4] Strategic Insights - BitMine's Chairman, Tom Lee, expressed confidence in Ethereum's potential, stating that the company aims to increase its ETH holdings to 5% of the total supply, viewing Ethereum as a significant macro investment opportunity over the next 10-15 years [3][4] - The rising interest in stablecoins, which are predominantly utilized on the Ethereum network, highlights the network's utility and growing profile [5]