Major Ether treasury holder activates staking strategy as institutional participation grows
Ethereum-focused treasury firm Bitmine has officially begun staking its Ether holdings, signaling a strategic shift toward generating on-chain yield. The company deposited nearly $219 million worth of ETH into Ethereum’s proof-of-stake (PoS) system, marking its first large-scale move into validator-based rewards.
Large-Scale ETH Deposit Signals Institutional Staking
On-chain data shows multiple wallets associated with Bitmine transferring 74,880 ETH into Ethereum’s BatchDeposit contract. This deposit structure is commonly used by institutions to consolidate funds before activating validators, suggesting a coordinated staking operation rather than retail participation.
Market analysts noted that this represents Bitmine’s initial attempt to earn staking yield on its Ether reserves. At current network conditions, Ethereum staking offers an estimated annual yield of just over 3%, creating a meaningful income stream for large holders.
The staking move comes as Bitmine’s Ether treasury crossed a significant milestone. The firm now holds more than 4.06 million ETH, following a recent $40 million acquisition. Over the past week alone, nearly 100,000 ETH were added at an average price close to $3,000 per token.
If Bitmine were to stake its full Ether balance, projections suggest potential annual rewards exceeding 126,000 ETH, translating into hundreds of millions of dollars in yield at current prices.
Previously, Bitmine outlined plans to expand staking operations through a dedicated in-house validator framework, aiming to test security and performance before full deployment. This gradual approach reflects broader institutional caution as Ethereum continues to mature as a yield-bearing settlement layer.
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