Bitmine nears 5% of Ethereum supply despite $8.4B in unrealized losses

cointelegraphPublished on 2026-08-17Last updated on 2026-08-17

Abstract

Bitmine Immersion Technologies has resumed purchasing Ethereum, acquiring an additional 9,926 ETH last week. This brings its total holdings to approximately 5.82 million ETH, representing 4.8% of the circulating supply and nearing its goal of owning 5% of all ETH. Despite an $11 billion portfolio value at current prices, the company faces significant challenges, sitting on over $8.4 billion in unrealized losses as much of its ETH was bought at higher prices during the bear market. Nevertheless, Bitmine continues its accumulation strategy, which began in June 2025. The company also stakes over 5 million ETH, valued at around $9.6 billion, generating an estimated $287 million in annualized rewards and providing a yield independent of price volatility.

Tom Lee’s Bitmine Immersion Technologies, an Ethereum treasury company, resumed its Ether purchases last week, bringing it closer to a key business target of owning 5% of the second-biggest cryptocurrency’s supply despite challenging market conditions.

The company disclosed Monday that it acquired 9,926 Ether (ETH) during the week ending Aug. 16, bringing its total holdings to roughly 5.82 million ETH, or about 4.8% of Ethereum’s circulating supply. At an ETH reference price of $1,893, Bitmine’s Ether holdings were valued at roughly $11 billion. However, much of the company’s ETH was acquired at significantly higher prices.

Ether’s price was little changed on Monday, sitting just above $1,900.

The latest purchase puts Bitmine within striking distance of its long-term “Alchemy of 5%” target of holding 5% of the total ETH supply.

Bitmine’s conviction has been tested by a prolonged bear market for Ether, which has sharply eroded the value of its digital asset treasury. The company is sitting on more than $8.4 billion in unrealized losses on its ETH holdings, according to industry data.

With a portfolio value of more than $11 billion, BitMine’s unrealized losses are around 43%. Source: DropsTab

Still, Bitmine has continued accumulating Ether, making purchases every week since launching its ETH treasury strategy in June 2025.

Related: Ethereum devs to narrow 66 proposals tied to Hegotá upgrade

Bitmine’s staked Ether approaches $10 billion in value

Although Bitmine is sitting on large unrealized losses on its Ether holdings, its staking operations continue to generate yield. The company said it is staking more than 5 million ETH, worth roughly $9.6 billion at current prices.

That staking has enabled Bitmine to earn protocol rewards for helping secure the Ethereum network, providing a predictable source of yield regardless of short-term ETH price movements. Based on a seven-day staking yield of 2.61%, Bitmine projects annualized staking rewards of roughly $287 million, according to Lee.


Related: Crypto Biz: Bitcoin’s $116M self-custody wake-up call

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