BitMine Nears 5% ETH Target as Tom Lee Signals Slower Buying Pace

BitMine Immersion Technologies has accumulated 5.42 million ETH, reaching 4.49% of its self-defined Ethereum supply benchmark, as executive chairman Tom Lee confirmed the company is deliberately slowing its buying pace on the approach to a 5% target.

The company’s June 1, 2026 update disclosed that BitMine held 5,416,901 ETH as of May 31, 2026. That figure represents 4.49% of the 120.7 million ETH supply benchmark BitMine uses internally, putting the company at 90% of its stated 5% goal.

Based on that 120.7 million ETH benchmark, the 5% threshold implies roughly 6,035,000 ETH. BitMine still needs about 618,000 ETH to cross the line, a milestone the company has branded its “Alchemy of 5%” treasury objective.

Why Tom Lee Is Signaling a Slower Buying Pace

In a May 10, 2026 press release, Lee said BitMine had “decided to slow down our pace of weekly accumulation.” He explained the reasoning in blunt terms: “At our current buying pace of 100,000 ETH a week, we’re going to be there in like six weeks.”

“We have decided to slow down our pace of weekly accumulation.”

Thomas “Tom” Lee, Executive Chairman, BitMine Immersion Technologies

At that earlier pace, BitMine would have hit 5% by mid-July 2026. The company chose to stretch the timeline rather than overshoot or create unnecessary market pressure.

The slowdown is visible in the numbers. BitMine’s latest weekly purchase came in at 26,497 ETH, a drop of more than 75% from a prior week when it bought roughly 120,000 ETH. CoinDesk independently confirmed the deceleration.

The shift is tactical, not a retreat. BitMine is still buying, still accumulating, and still publicly committed to crossing 5%. Lee’s signal simply reframes the timeline from weeks to months.

What the Shift Could Mean for Ethereum Market Watchers

A buyer that was absorbing over 100,000 ETH per week represented meaningful demand pressure. At current prices near $1,655, that pace equated to more than $165 million in weekly purchases. The reduction to roughly 26,500 ETH per week, about $44 million, materially changes the demand picture.

For traders watching ETH order flow, the slower accumulation removes one of the largest consistent bid sources in the market. That shift arrives during a period when the broader crypto Fear & Greed Index sits at 12, deep in “Extreme Fear” territory.

The question now is whether BitMine’s remaining 618,000 ETH gap closes gradually over the coming months or whether the company accelerates again if prices dip. As regulatory developments around crypto infrastructure continue to evolve and global licensing frameworks take shape, large corporate treasury allocations like BitMine’s serve as a barometer for institutional conviction in Ethereum.

BitMine has said it expects to reach the 5% target sometime in 2026, though that remains a forward-looking projection. At the current reduced pace, reaching 6,035,000 ETH from 5,416,901 would take roughly 23 weeks, potentially pushing completion into late 2026.

Meanwhile, the broader landscape for technology companies making large crypto-adjacent treasury bets continues to draw investor attention. Whether BitMine’s measured approach signals discipline or caution will likely depend on where ETH trades by the time the company finally crosses its target line.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.

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