BitMine Begins Staking Ethereum From Its 12 Billion Dollar Crypto Holdings

TLDR

Table of Contents

BitMine deposited 74,880 ETH valued at $219 million into staking contracts.
Full treasury staking could generate 126,800 ETH or $371 million annually.
Staked ETH cannot be quickly withdrawn due to Ethereum exit queue rules.
MAVAN validator network to launch in early 2026 supporting staking growth.

BitMine, one of the largest corporate holders of Ethereum, has started staking part of its $12 billion ETH treasury. The move marks a shift from simply holding Ethereum toward generating yield through staking. The company deposited 74,880 ETH, valued at roughly $219 million, into Ethereum staking contracts. This action signals a potential change in how BitMine manages its digital asset reserves.

Partial Staking of Ethereum Treasury

BitMine currently holds about 4.07 million ETH, representing nearly $12 billion in value. The company has staked a small portion of this amount, with plans to gradually increase its involvement. The deposited Ether earns a staking reward under the Ethereum network protocol.

If the firm stakes its entire treasury, it could generate an estimated 126,800 ETH annually. Based on current market prices, this would equal around $371 million per year. BitMine’s approach could shift its valuation model from relying solely on Ethereum’s price movement to earning consistent network-based rewards.

BREAKING: BitMine has begun staking $ETH for yield, depositing 74,880 ETH ($219M) into an Ethereum PoS in its first staking move.
With 4.066M ETH held, full staking at 3.12% APY could generate 126,800 ETH annually. pic.twitter.com/ZQVP3DMGLv
— SwanDesk (@SwanDesk) December 27, 2025

Thomas Lee, BitMine’s chair, said, “We continue to make progress on our staking solution known as The Made in America Validator Network (MAVAN). This will be the ‘best-in-class’ solution offering secure staking infrastructure and will be deployed in early calendar 2026.”

Risks and Liquidity Considerations

Staking Ethereum carries different risks than holding it in cold storage. Staked Ether cannot be withdrawn immediately due to network exit queue mechanics. Validators who leave the network must wait through this process before accessing their funds.

This restriction could expose BitMine to market volatility. In a sudden price downturn, the firm may not quickly liquidate staked Ether to respond to financial needs. The staking model converts passive holdings into productive network capital but limits instant liquidity.

Analysts note that this model contrasts with Bitcoin or other assets that can be moved instantly in stressed markets. While staking increases potential yield, it also reduces flexibility during rapid price changes.

MAVAN Validator Network and Expansion Plans

BitMine aims to stake roughly 5% of Ethereum’s total supply over time. To achieve this, it is building the Made in America Validator Network (MAVAN). This proprietary network is expected to launch in early 2026 and provide secure staking infrastructure under U.S. jurisdiction.

The company currently controls about 3.36% of the Ethereum supply. Centralization concerns have emerged because MAVAN consolidates a large amount of Ether under one validator. Critics say this could affect Ethereum’s decentralized model if U.S. regulatory requirements influence validator decisions.

There are concerns that MAVAN might refuse to validate transactions linked to sanctioned addresses under the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). This adds a compliance element to BitMine’s staking operations, aligning network participation with domestic regulations.

Strategic Shift Toward Yield

BitMine’s staking initiative represents a change in corporate strategy. By turning Ethereum into yield-bearing assets, the company may balance price exposure with predictable network rewards. While the initial deposit is modest compared with the full treasury, it provides a framework for larger staking operations.

The firm’s long-term plan could redefine its financial model, linking corporate value to Ethereum network participation. The launch of MAVAN will provide infrastructure to support this staking strategy, offering a controlled and scalable approach to Ethereum yield generation.