BitMine Becomes Largest Ethereum Holder with $12B Stake
BitMine Immersion Technologies, a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and led by Fundstrat’s Tom Lee, has quietly become one of the biggest holders of Ethereum (ETH) ever reported by a single organization. As of January 26, BitMine owns 4,243,338 ETH, which equals about 3.52% of all Ethereum currently in circulation.
At the time of the announcement, this massive Ethereum stash was valued around $12 billion. That makes BitMine the largest Ethereum holder in the world and the second-largest holder of cryptocurrency overall—just behind Strategy Inc., which holds over 700,000 Bitcoin.
### BitMine Buys More Ethereum as Prices Dip
BitMine has been aggressively adding to its Ethereum reserves over the past six months. According to weekly purchase data, the company has been steadily buying ETH since October 2025. December was especially active, with multiple large purchases.
In just the last week of January, BitMine bought more than 40,000 ETH. The week before that, it added another 35,000 ETH. In total, the company spent $110 million buying Ethereum during a recent price dip.
Even though Ethereum’s price has dropped over the past month—falling by about 8.4% to a low of $2,787—BitMine hasn’t slowed down. Ethereum recently showed some signs of recovery, trading at $2,940.44 with a slight increase over the past hour and day.
### BitMine’s Portfolio Now Worth Nearly $13 Billion
BitMine’s total assets now stand at $12.8 billion. This includes not just Ethereum but also 193 Bitcoin, $682 million in cash, a $200 million stake in Beast Industries, and a smaller investment in Eightco Holdings.
The company’s ultimate goal is to own 5% of all Ethereum in existence—a target it calls the “alchemy of 5%.” To reach that level, BitMine would need to hold about 6 million ETH. At today’s prices, this would require investing several billion dollars more.
### Nearly Half of BitMine’s Ethereum Is Staked
BitMine isn’t just holding Ethereum—it’s also putting it to work. As of January 25, the company had staked 2,009,267 ETH, worth around $5.7 billion. That’s nearly half of its entire Ethereum stash.
By staking its ETH at an average return rate of about 2.81%, BitMine estimates it could earn around $374 million per year—roughly $1 million per day. Right now, BitMine is using outside providers for staking services. But it plans to launch its own network in early 2026 called the Made in America Validator Network (MAVAN).
### A Long-Term Bet on Ethereum and Blockchain Adoption
Chairman Tom Lee sees this as a long-term move tied to growing institutional interest in blockchain technology. After attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Lee noted that many business and policy leaders are now talking about how traditional finance, crypto, and AI are starting to merge.
He believes Ethereum is playing a key role in this shift—especially through tokenization and other financial infrastructure projects already being built on the network.
In short, BitMine is making a bold bet that Ethereum will be a core part of the future financial system—and it’s backing that belief with billions of dollars.
Ethereum Leads, ZKP Rises, Chainlink Lags Behind
**Crypto Market Update: Ethereum Gains Strength, Chainlink Struggles, ZKP Emerges as New Contender**
As 2026 kicks off, the crypto market is showing a clear shift in behavior. Instead of chasing quick price spikes, traders and investors are now looking for projects with strong foundations, long-term potential, and solid participation. Let’s break down what’s happening with Ethereum, Chainlink, and a rising newcomer—Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP).
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**Ethereum Attracts Institutional Investors Through ETFs**
Ethereum continues to stand out by gaining serious attention from large investors. In mid-January, Ethereum ETFs pulled in $479 million in just one week—reversing the outflows from the previous week. BlackRock’s ETHA ETF led the charge, bringing in nearly half of those inflows.
These steady inflows pushed total Ethereum ETF assets above $20 billion, with weekly trading volume hitting $7.74 billion. While Ethereum’s price still reacts to the broader market, this kind of institutional support shows growing long-term confidence.
Compared to Bitcoin ETFs, which brought in $1.42 billion during the same period, Ethereum is solidifying its role as the second key crypto asset for institutions. For those wondering what the best crypto to buy now is, Ethereum’s strong backing makes it a clear candidate.
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**Chainlink Trades Cautiously with Weak Momentum**
Chainlink (LINK), on the other hand, is moving more cautiously. The price is hovering around $12.60 and remains below all major moving averages—20-day, 50-day, and 200-day. This signals that sellers are still in control over the short, mid, and long term.
Despite the recent launch of the Grayscale Chainlink Trust ETF, LINK hasn’t shown much improvement in its price pattern. Technical indicators like RSI and ADX show low demand and oversold conditions, but there’s no strong sign of a reversal yet.
Resistance is sitting near $13.20, while support remains thin just above $12.20. Until LINK can break past that $13.20 resistance and hold it, traders are staying cautious rather than jumping in aggressively.
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**Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP): A New Crypto Built on Real Participation**
While some cryptos stall or move sideways, Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) is attracting attention for its focus on real-world use and infrastructure rather than short-term price action.
At the heart of ZKP’s system are “Proof Pods”—hardware devices that do verifiable AI computations for the network. About $17 million worth of these devices have already been deployed. These Pods earn ZKP tokens by completing tasks, with rewards based on daily auction prices. This model links token distribution directly to useful work being done on the network.
ZKP also runs a daily on-chain presale auction where 190 million tokens are distributed based on how much participants contribute. There are no fixed prices or private deals—just transparent daily auctions that set the token’s value.
On the tech side, ZKP is a Layer-1 blockchain that supports both EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) and WASM (WebAssembly), making it compatible with Ethereum apps and powerful enough for AI tasks. It uses zero-knowledge proofs to verify results without revealing sensitive data, offering trust through math instead of middlemen.
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**Key Takeaways**
– **Ethereum** is pulling ahead thanks to strong ETF inflows and institutional confidence. It remains one of the most reliable cryptos for long-term investors.
– **Chainlink** is trading defensively with weak momentum despite ETF support. Until it breaks key resistance levels, traders are staying on the sidelines.
– **Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP)** is carving out its own path by focusing on participation and infrastructure. Its Proof Pods and daily auctions make it stand out during a time when many investors are looking beyond just price charts.
In this new phase of the market, leadership isn’t about who moves the fastest—it’s about who builds with purpose. As more investors look for the best crypto to buy now, they’re starting to favor projects that deliver value through contribution and technology rather than hype alone.
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**Explore Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP)**
– Website: https://zkp.com/
– Daily Auction: http://buy.zkp.com/
– Twitter/X: https://x.com/ZKPofficial
– Telegram: https://t.me/ZKPofficial
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*Disclaimer: This content is not investment advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions.*
ZKP Crypto Presale Gains Traction Amid Market Fear
The crypto market is going through a rough patch this week. Bitcoin is struggling to stay above $87,000 after slipping from the $90,000 level, while Ethereum has dropped around 7%, now trading near $2,860. Fear is high across the board, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index sitting at just 20 — a clear sign of “Extreme Fear.” Investors are holding back, waiting to see what the Federal Reserve decides on interest rates and whether a U.S. government shutdown could become reality.
But behind all the panic and price drops, something interesting is happening. Big investors — also known as institutions — are quietly buying up crypto at discounted prices. And one project in particular is getting a lot of attention: Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP).
ZKP just entered Stage 2 of its Initial Coin Auction, where only 190 million tokens are available each day. What makes this presale stand out is that the team already invested over $100 million of their own money before opening it up to the public. That means ZKP isn’t just a concept — it’s a fully built platform.
Why People Are Calling ZKP the Best Crypto Presale Right Now
Most crypto projects raise money first, then build their product later. ZKP did the opposite. The team behind it spent $100 million building a strong foundation before they started selling tokens. This includes a unique four-layer blockchain system and a hardware setup designed to support private, secure computing.
ZKP uses zero-knowledge cryptography — a method that proves something is true without revealing any sensitive data. This makes it perfect for handling AI tasks and keeping personal or business data safe. With AI and privacy both growing fast, ZKP sits right where the two trends meet.
Another big reason people like this presale is the way tokens are distributed. Every day, tokens are sold through an on-chain auction that lasts 450 days and includes 17 stages. Everyone who buys in on the same day pays the same price. There are no special deals for insiders or early investors, and no unfair advantages for large buyers.
Stage 2 Is Here — Token Supply Is Getting Tighter
Now that ZKP is in Stage 2, fewer tokens are available each day — down from 200 million to 190 million. And here’s the catch: any tokens not sold that day are permanently burned, meaning they’re gone forever. So every day, fewer and fewer tokens are available for people to buy.
This isn’t a marketing trick to create hype. It’s built into the system’s code. As more stages pass, fewer tokens will be available and prices may naturally rise due to limited supply.
There are also limits on how much someone can invest each day. You need at least $20 to join in, but you can’t spend more than $50,000 in a single day. This helps keep things fair and stops big investors from grabbing everything at once.
What Makes ZKP Different from Other Crypto Presales
Most crypto presales rely on social media hype and influencer promotions. ZKP relies on structure and code. The number of tokens released each day is fixed, and prices are determined by how many people buy in during each auction window.
Instead of rushing everything into one big launch day, ZKP spreads its token release over 450 days. This gives time for real price discovery and avoids pump-and-dump cycles that often hurt small investors.
Many buyers who lost money in past launches are paying attention to ZKP because it offers something safer and more predictable — a working product with fair rules.
On top of that, ZKP has physical hardware called Proof Pods. These devices let users earn tokens by doing AI-related work on the network. Over $17 million has already been spent building this part of the project, showing it’s more than just talk.
Should You Buy Into ZKP Now?
With Bitcoin stuck below $90K and altcoins dropping fast, many investors are looking for new opportunities that don’t depend on market hype or daily price swings. ZKP offers that kind of opportunity.
Stage 2 is currently live, but token supply is shrinking with each stage. If you’re looking for a crypto presale with real tech, strong funding, and a fair entry system, ZKP could be one of the best options available right now.
NFT Market Surges with $126M in Weekly Sales
**NFT Market Sees Major Comeback with Over $126M in Weekly Sales**
The NFT (non-fungible token) market is showing strong signs of recovery in early 2026. For the first time in months, weekly trading volume surged past the $100 million mark, reaching an impressive $126 million. That’s a massive 112% jump compared to the previous week. Let’s break down what’s driving this sudden boost and which NFT collections are leading the charge.
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### Huge Surge in NFT Trading Volume
According to on-chain data, the NFT space has bounced back with a huge increase in sales activity. Last week, total NFT trading volume was $61 million. This week, it more than doubled to $126 million.
Ethereum continues to dominate the NFT landscape, contributing more than $81 million to the total trading volume. That’s a 220% increase from the previous week, driven mostly by strong activity in blue-chip Ethereum-based NFTs.
Bitcoin’s NFT ecosystem also saw a big leap, thanks to popular collections like Runes, Ordinals, and BRC-20 tokens. Bitcoin-based NFTs generated $22 million in trading volume—up 143% from the previous week.
BNB Chain came in second overall, with $7 million in NFT trades. Known for its low fees and fast transactions, it continues to be a popular choice for NFT creators and collectors.
Base, an Ethereum Layer-2 network developed by Coinbase, ranked third with $3.6 million in sales—an increase of 64%. Immutable, another Ethereum Layer-2 focused on gaming and zero-gas NFTs, followed closely behind with $3.4 million in weekly volume.
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### Top 10 Best-Selling NFT Collections This Week
1. **The Flying Tulip Put (FT PUT)** – With $55 million in weekly sales, this DeFi-based NFT took the top spot. It’s part of a unique investment model where NFTs represent tokens in a decentralized exchange.
2. **$X@AI (BRC-20)** – This Bitcoin-based collection saw a massive 786% increase from the previous week, generating $17 million in trades.
3. **CryptoPunks** – These iconic pixel-art NFTs recorded $4.8 million in sales, marking an 85% rise from last week.
4. **Yes Bond (BNB Chain)** – This new collection made waves with $3.8 million in sales. It has quickly become a favorite among traders on the BNB Chain.
5. **Moonbirds** – Hosted on Ethereum, this popular collection earned $2.5 million this week. Moonbirds are known for their strong community and artwork.
6. **Guild of Guardians Heroes** – Linked to the fantasy RPG game “Guild of Guardians,” this collection had $2 million in sales but dropped 3% from the previous week.
7. **Meld Bank Manager NFTs** – Featuring futuristic robot-themed PFPs tied to a DeFi platform, these NFTs brought in $2 million this week.
8. **Pudgy Penguins** – With their adorable penguin characters on Ethereum, this collection sold $1.9 million worth of NFTs despite a small dip of 5.79%.
9. **$?? (BRC-20)** – Another Bitcoin-based collection, this one brought in $1.5 million—an 89% increase from last week.
10. **Good Vibes Club** – Created by an award-winning animation studio, this 3D PFP collection made $1.12 million in sales but saw a 42% decrease from the previous week.
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### What’s Next for the NFT Market?
The NFT industry is evolving fast. While it’s still recovering from previous market dips, NFTs are becoming more than just collectibles—they now have real-world uses in gaming, digital art, real estate, and even intellectual property.
Although 2025 was relatively quiet for NFTs, many experts believe that 2026 could bring another big bull run. As innovation continues and blockchain adoption grows, NFTs are likely to remain a key part of the digital asset ecosystem.
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**Important Reminder:** Always do your own research before investing in NFTs or any crypto assets. The market is highly volatile and comes with risks. Only invest what you can afford to lose.
ZKP Gains Buzz with Fair Token Auctions and Privacy Focus
The crypto market is currently valued at around $3.06 trillion. Bitcoin is trading close to $91,634, and Ethereum is near $3,171 after recent price drops. Meanwhile, Zcash is gaining attention due to ongoing speculation about a possible exchange-traded fund (ETF), and Toncoin is under pressure, trading near $1.55 after falling nearly 9% in the last week.
As the market matures, investors are asking if big-name cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum can still offer strong growth—or if it’s time to focus on newer projects with fresh distribution models.
One project making waves is Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP), a privacy-focused crypto that’s using a unique presale method. Instead of giving early access to insiders or large investors, ZKP distributes its tokens through a daily open auction. This system gives everyone an equal chance to participate based on how much they contribute, not when they join or how much they invest.
**What Makes ZKP Different?**
ZKP is built on the Substrate framework and combines artificial intelligence with zero-knowledge cryptography. The goal is to create a secure, decentralized network where users can keep control of their data while participating in the ecosystem.
The team has invested heavily in development and Proof Pod manufacturing, showing a long-term commitment to building useful infrastructure.
In its current presale (Stage 2), ZKP releases 190 million tokens every 24 hours through an open auction. Everyone who joins gets tokens based on how much they contribute compared to others that day. This fair approach helps prevent large wallets or bots from dominating early token sales, making the process more transparent and accessible to all.
Experts believe that fairer distribution methods like this could lead to stronger community support over time. However, the success of any project still depends on how well it’s built, how many people use it, and overall market trends.
**Zcash ETF Still Up in the Air**
Zcash is a privacy coin that uses zero-knowledge proofs to keep transaction details hidden while still verifying them. This advanced privacy feature is what makes it attractive—but also what puts it under regulatory scrutiny.
Talks about a possible Zcash ETF have been circulating for a while, but nothing has been confirmed. The uncertainty around regulation has kept Zcash’s price low compared to its past highs. Investors are waiting to see whether institutional interest will grow or if regulators will continue to hold back privacy-based assets.
**Toncoin Struggles to Regain Momentum**
Toncoin’s price continues to slide, down nearly 9% over the last seven days and sitting at about $1.55. Its current market cap is around $3.77 billion.
From a technical perspective, Toncoin is still below key moving averages and doesn’t show strong signs of recovery. Analysts say its future performance likely depends on how its broader ecosystem evolves, rather than any short-term price jumps.
**The Bigger Picture**
Zcash and Toncoin both face challenges—Zcash with regulatory roadblocks and Toncoin with market pressure. Both already have large market caps, which can make big growth moves harder.
On the other hand, newer projects like ZKP are attracting attention by offering a fair and transparent way to join early through daily auctions. This kind of model can help build a more engaged community from the start by avoiding insider-only advantages.
As interest shifts toward privacy, infrastructure, and AI-powered blockchain projects, ZKP stands out with its balanced approach to token distribution and long-term planning.
**Explore More:**
Website: https://zkp.com/
Buy Tokens: https://buy.zkp.com
Telegram Community: https://t.me/ZKPofficial
X (Twitter): https://x.com/ZKPofficial