BitMine invests $12 billion in Ethereum, planning to launch the MAVAN validator network in 2026 to seize staking benefits

Publicly listed cryptocurrency company BitMine announced plans to officially launch an Ethereum validator infrastructure called the “U.S. Made Validator Network” (MAVAN) in early 2026, aiming to convert its Ethereum reserves of up to $1.2 billion into stable on-chain staking yields. This plan marks BitMine’s transition from a pure ETH accumulation phase to a new stage of asset monetization through institutional-grade staking.

According to disclosed data, BitMine currently holds approximately 4,110,525 ETH, with a market value of about $1.2 billion, making it one of the largest publicly disclosed Ethereum treasuries and ranking high on the global crypto asset balance sheet. Chairman Thomas Tom Lee stated that MAVAN will become an important part of the company’s core strategy, aiming to provide high-security, high-stability localized validator services, with full deployment planned for early 2026.

From an economic model perspective, ETH staking rewards are the core attraction of this plan. Validator rewards are paid in ETH, with yield levels depending on network activity, validator uptime, and potential MEV income. BitMine estimates that, with large-scale deployment and most ETH staked via MAVAN and its partners, an annualized yield of approximately 2.81% could generate staking income of $374 million per year, exceeding $1 million daily. This estimate assumes efficient operation, low penalty rates, and a relatively stable ETH price environment.

Currently, BitMine has staked about 408,627 ETH through third-party platforms as a preliminary test for MAVAN, with plans to gradually expand in early 2026. Meanwhile, the company continues to increase its Ethereum holdings, adding 44,463 ETH in the past week, and states that its total crypto assets, cash, and potential investments have reached $13.2 billion, including about $1 billion in cash.

Policy changes have also supported this plan. Under President Trump’s leadership, U.S. regulators have shown signs of easing their stance on the cryptocurrency industry, with the SEC beginning to withdraw some enforcement actions. BitMine emphasizes the “U.S. Made” validator concept, which responds to regulatory compliance needs and helps restore market confidence in domestic staking infrastructure.

Overall, as the MAVAN validator network advances, BitMine is building a long-term growth model centered around Ethereum staking, institutional participation, and compliant operations. The market widely questions whether this model will become an important example of enterprise-level ETH staking by 2026.