The Ethereum network has reached a security milestone with almost 30% of its circulating supply staked, led by Bitmine and its digital treasury strategy.
The latest blockchain data reveals that nearly 30% of the total circulating supply of Ether is now locked in staking contracts. This phenomenon occurs in a market context where the asset's price is trying to define its direction, but where institutional conviction seems stronger than ever.
At the heart of this accumulation and validation strategy is Bitmine, the entity that not only holds the largest supply of this cryptocurrency in the world, but is now positioned as a fundamental pillar for network security with more than one and a half million ethers committed to the consensus protocol.
This massive capital inflow into the deposit contract suggests a temporary disconnect between the asset's market valuation, currently trading around $3.359, and the fundamentals of its technological infrastructure. While retail traders are cautiously observing the sideways price action, large holders are actively withdrawing their coins from circulation to generate passive returns and bet on the project's long-term viability.
Buy ETH and follow the institutional strategyThe contraction of Ethereum's supply and the role of large treasuries
According to data consulted on the ValidatorQueue analytics platform, the amount of Ether locked has risen to 35,9 million unitsThis mathematically represents 29,6% of the total existing supply of the cryptocurrency on the market. Similarly, this figure equates to a market valuation exceeding 120.000 million that have been effectively removed from the sales order books.
Source: Validator Queue
The upward trend in validator participation in network staking breaks with the sideways phase that had been maintained since August of the previous year and demonstrates that the security of the network is strengthening regardless of the volatility of the spot price.
In this scenario, the undisputed protagonist is Bitmine. The firm, headed by Tom Lee, has implemented an aggressive treasury management strategy that goes beyond mere speculative holding. According to reports from Arkham Intelligence, the company has increased its participation in network validation by recently locking up an additional batch of assets valued at $600 million.
With this latest operation, Bitmine now manages a staking position that exceeds 1,5 million ethersThis consolidates a total value locked of nearly $6.000 billion. This massive move has transformed Bitmine into one of the largest validators in the crypto ecosystem. By actively participating in Ethereum's proof-of-stake mechanism, Bitmine not only reduces the circulating supply but also generates a predictable cash flow.
Projections from analysts associated with Galaxy Digital estimate that, by fully scaling its operations through its MAVAN infrastructure, the company could generate daily revenues exceeding $1 million solely from network rewards. This validates the thesis that corporate treasuries are evolving from mere stores of value into centers of native performance generation in the digital economy.
Stake ETH on Bit2Me EarnEthereum and Wall Street: Signs of a Silent Accumulation
Despite Ethereum's price remaining 32% below its all-time highs reached in August, interest from Wall Street and traditional banks suggests a quiet accumulation. Renowned financial institutions like JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley have begun integrating the network into their tokenized and exchange-traded fund products. Similarly, analysts at Standard Chartered have projected optimistic scenarios where the asset could reach valuations of $40.000 by 2030, based on the utility of the network and the supply deflation caused by massive staking.
Tom Lee has informed Bitmine shareholders of the need to prepare the corporate structure for potential exponential growth. The proposal to increase the number of authorized shares and the vision for a future stock split are based on an internal projection where the company's valuation would closely track the performance of its underlying asset. The rationale behind this strategy is that the company acts as an investment vehicle leveraging the success of Ethereum, and its ability to generate recurring revenue through validation adds a layer of fundamental value that distinguishes it from traditional passive funds.
The regulatory environment also plays a crucial role in this narrative. Lee has cautioned investors about the importance of aligning themselves with current political dynamics in Washington, suggesting that the US administration is defining winners in the technology and financial sectors. From this perspective, cryptocurrency companies that contribute to economic growth and digital infrastructure could benefit compared to traditional financial players facing pressure on their conventional business models.
Acquire Ethereum before the supply shockThe maturity of a key digital asset for the market
The milestone reached by Ethereum this January 2026 marks a paradigm shift in the structure of the cryptocurrency market. The accumulation of ETH by long-term holders and the massive influx of corporate treasuries into the network's validation system are reducing the liquidity available for short-term speculation, which could technically favor an appreciation of Ethereum's price in the face of any increase in demand.
The queue for new validators, which exceeds 2,5 million ethers According to data from the blockchain, interest in participating in Ethereum's security remains steady and sustainable. Thus, the network appears to be entering a phase where long-term ownership and institutional participation are beginning to define a new foundation for its growth.
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