BitMine, one of the largest crypto mining and investment companies, has purchased $45 million in Ethereum. The acquisition strengthens its $9 billion digital treasury and will help provide liquidity for Maxi Doge, a meme coin whose presale has generated a surge of retail demand.
The deal added about 120,000 ETH to BitMine’s holdings at an average cost near $3,750, according to two people close to the transaction. While the purchase is small compared with its total reserves, analysts see the timing as significant. Ethereum has held steady even as broader markets experienced turbulence.
The company confirmed the transaction in a brief statement. It said it remains focused on assets that deliver both liquidity and long-term value in the digital economy.Ethereum remains the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, worth $468 billion as of Tuesday, according to CoinMarketCap.
A portion of the Ethereum buy will be directed toward Maxi Doge’s ongoing presale. The meme-driven token mixes community culture with high-yield tokenomics. The offering has pulled in nearly $90 million in commitments within three weeks. Observers say BitMine’s involvement could bring added credibility and liquidity to the launch.
Skeptics caution that meme coins carry risks despite growing popularity. “BitMine’s endorsement may accelerate inflows, but investors must remember meme tokens are volatile and often lack protection frameworks,” said Clara Martinez, digital assets strategist at Brox Capital in Geneva. “Ethereum is one story. Maxi Doge is another.”
The overall crypto market traded flat over the past week. Bitcoin hovered at $114,200, while Ethereum edged higher by 0.6% to $3,750. Meme coins, in contrast, outperformed. Dogecoin rose 4%, and Shiba Inu added 7%, boosted by strong retail activity.
Analysts argue that BitMine’s entry into the meme ecosystem shows how established firms are blending traditional treasury strategy with retail-focused narratives. “Mixing serious reserve management with meme assets is unusual, but it reflects the overlap between liquidity, speculation, and online engagement,” said David Rosen, partner at BlockSpan, a crypto advisory firm. “The challenge is making such moves sustainable.”
BitMine’s $9 billion treasury ranks among the largest private crypto holdings. It sits alongside the war chests of companies such as MicroStrategy and Tesla. The portfolio includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and several stablecoins. Bitcoin accounts for 62%, Ethereum for 21%, and the rest is spread across other tokens.
The $45 million Ethereum purchase represents less than half a percent of reserves. Still, it marks the company’s first direct tie to a meme coin project. People close to the firm describe the initiative as “an experiment in high-yield positioning.” It reflects a willingness to balance conservative strategies with selective risk-taking.
The move arrives as U.S. regulators increase oversight of crypto firms. The Securities and Exchange Commission has warned against misleading presale marketing, especially in projects tied to meme assets. BitMine did not say if it had consulted regulators before committing funds to Maxi Doge.
“The SEC has raised concerns that presales often blur the line between utility tokens and unregistered securities,” said Angela O’Hara, a fintech policy analyst in Washington. “If BitMine channels Ethereum into such projects, it could face questions from regulators.”
Retail traders responded enthusiastically on platforms such as X and Telegram. Many described BitMine’s involvement as validation for Maxi Doge. Hashtags like #MaxiMomentum and #BitMineBacked trended across crypto forums on Monday.
Institutional investors remain cautious. “Retail may view this as a rocket signal, but institutional desks will weigh counterparty risks and the presale’s lack of transparency,” Rosen said. “That divide between excitement and caution is where volatility usually comes from.”
Ethereum’s long-term path remains tied to decentralized finance adoption, scaling solutions, and tokenization projects. The network has survived multiple market cycles and continues to anchor institutional portfolios. Meme coins, by contrast, often rely on hype and community strength rather than real utility.
BitMine’s dual involvement highlights both potential and unpredictability. Ethereum may provide a stable base, but the Maxi Doge bet introduces risks. Analysts expect Ethereum demand to remain strong as staking yields stabilize and institutional custody grows. Maxi Doge, however, must prove it can transition from presale hype to sustained liquidity.
BitMine’s $45 million Ethereum purchase reflects a strategy of reinforcing reserves while exploring riskier ventures. By linking the acquisition to Maxi Doge’s presale, the company has stepped into an arena shaped by retail speculation. The move may boost short-term visibility, yet it also raises questions about sustainability and regulatory oversight in a market where credibility and hype often intersect.
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